Aintree Hurdle Tips | Timeform’s guide to the 2021 Aintree Hurdle

Aintree Hurdle
15:25 Aintree, Thursday
Live on ITV

1. Abacadabras (Denise Foster/ Jack Kennedy)
Very good hurdler who gained the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown in November and bounced again from a below-par effort in between with a profession greatest to end 10 lengths second to Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in February. Didn’t get the alternative to present what he can do when falling at the third in the Champion Hurdle gained by Honeysuckle at Cheltenham final time. Looks a number one contender on kind, although it stays to be seen whether or not he’ll be equally efficient over this journey (strong-travelling type who has raced solely at 2m).

2. Ballyandy (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Sam Twiston-Davies)
Smart hurdler who returned this season with two good efforts in handicaps, filling the runner-up spot beneath massive weights in each the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las in October and Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November. Below that stage in three subsequent begins, nonetheless, and even his greatest kind leaves him with a bit to discover to make an affect in Grade 1 firm

3. Brewin’Upastorm (Olly Murphy/Aidan Coleman)
Very good hurdler who has resumed his progress again over hurdles after a few underwhelming efforts over fences earlier this season. Easily defied high weight in a handicap at Taunton in January after which took the step up in grade in his stride when following up in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell (by 5 and a half lengths from McFabulous) final time, all the time in management after quickening to lead two out. Clearly thriving at current and should enter calculations with additional enchancment not out of the query.

4. Buveur d’Air (Nicky Henderson/ Nico de Boinville)
Top-class hurdler in his prime, notably profitable the Champion Hurdle in 2017 and 2018. Missed most of final season due to damage and formed as if needing the run after 14 months off when overwhelmed 4 and 1 / 4 lengths into second behind Navajo Pass in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock final time, travelling greatest earlier than tiring on the run-in. Entitled to strip fitter right here however nonetheless has lots to show as he makes an attempt to repeat his 2017 victory on this race.

5. Buzz (Nicky Henderson/ James Bowen)
Smart hurdler who has improved with each begin in handicaps this season, shaping effectively beneath high weight on each outings since profitable at Ascot in November. Proved higher than ever when overwhelmed 5 and three quarter lengths into fifth behind Soaring Glory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury final time, doing effectively to end as shut as he did after a mistake 4 out which left him with loads of floor to make up. Remains with potential however appears to be like up in opposition to it on his first strive in Grade 1 firm. Raced solely at round 2m over hurdles.

6. Jason The Miltant (Henry de Bromhead/ Rachael Blackmore)
Very good hurdler who confirmed improved kind on his first two begins this season, ending third in each the WKD Hurdle at Down Royal in October and Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (overwhelmed a neck into third behind Abacadabras) in November. Progressed additional after three months off when resuming profitable methods in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Fairyhouse final time, making all to give weight and a seven-and-a-half-length beating to Petit Mouchoir. Raced solely at 2m over hurdles however shapes as if he’ll keep. Shouldn’t be underestimated for his high yard

7. McFabulous (Paul Nicholls/ Harry Cobden)
Very good hurdler who gained two of his first three begins this season, specifically the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow in October and Relkeel Hurdle at Kempton in January. Produced a lacklustre effort when overwhelmed 5 and a half lengths into second behind Brewin’Upastorm in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell final time, trying one-paced in the straight after making some errors. Appeals as the sort to bounce again rapidly and meets Brewin’Upastorm on 6 lb higher phrases right here.

8. Millers Bank (Alex Hales/ Kielan Woods)
Smart hurdler who has gained 4 of his seven begins over obstacles, producing his greatest effort when storming clear to simply defy a BHA mark of 137 in a handicap at Newbury (by 10 lengths) final time. Possesses a superb angle which ought to proceed to stand him in good stead, however this represents by far the hardest check of his profession to date.

9. Not So Sleepy (Hughie Morrison/ Jonathan Burke)
Smart hurdler who defied a 15 lb larger mark than in 2019 to document his second successive win in the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot in December, making all to beat Buzz by a size and three quarters. Ran about in addition to might have been anticipated when overwhelmed 13 lengths into fifth behind Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham final time. Likely to show weak for win functions once more right here.

10. Silver Streak (Evan Williams/ Tom O’Brien)
Smart hurdler who has been operating persistently this season, proving effectively suited by a change of techniques when making all to acquire a deserved win at Grade 1 stage in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton (by six and a half lengths from Epatante) in December. Possibly made his effort sooner than superb when overwhelmed over 14 lengths into sixth behind Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham final time, weakening earlier than the final. Should bounce again rapidly however others make extra attraction.

11. Song For Someone (Tom Symonds/ David Bass)
Very good hurdler who gained his first two begins this season in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot in November and International Hurdle at Cheltenham (by a nostril from Silver Streak) in December. Produced a uncommon below-par effort after 10 weeks off when overwhelmed 22 lengths into second behind Goshen in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton final time, by no means travelling effectively and failing to make any impression on the winner. That does not undo the good work he had accomplished beforehand, although, and he’ll be suited by the larger emphasis on stamina right here.