Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle
Grade 1, Aintree 14:25
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus,
2m 4f, Class 1  
Saturday 9th April 2022

1 Three Stripe Life 5/2F
2 Might I 16/1
3 North Lodge 11/2
12 ran NR: Harbour Lake Distances: 4¾l, 3¾l, 13l
Time: 4m 55.21s (slow by 10.21s)

Second at the highest level three times previously for Gordon Elliott, Three Stripe Life accelerated clear of Might I to come home a cosy winner.

Three Stripe Life was the 5-2 favourite in the hands of Davy Russell and made the most of the opportunity in this two-and-a-half-mile contest.

He was well in control jumping the last and while Might I tried to put up a fight on the run to the line, Three Stripe Life was just too good, coming home four and three-quarter lengths to the good. North Lodge was third, beaten a further three and three-quarter lengths.

Elliott said: “He’s deserved that, he’s a good horse. We bought him to be a chaser and if you look at him, that’s what he’ll go and do.

“He’s bumped into Sir Gerhard a couple of times, who is a very good horse, and he’s done little wrong all year.

“It’s nice for him to get his day in the sun and Kenny and Laura Haughey (owners) are here, they are good supporters of ours so it’s great.

“He’ll definitely go chasing next year. He’s in at Punchestown, but he’s been busy enough so we’ll just see.”

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Russell added: “These colours are very, very important to me, Kenny Haughey is a huge supporter of our yard. He’s been very patient with this horse and we’re so happy he’s delivered for Kenny.”

Of Might I, trainer Harry Fry said: “He went to Sandown and started favourite giving 3lb to Constitution Hill. 

“He then ran into Jonbon at Haydock and with a rating of 135 we couldn’t get him to Cheltenham.

“I feel I’ve made a bit of a mess of it winning just one novice with him, but now that he settles he will get further.

“So we will keep him over hurdles and aim at some nice staying prizes including a three mile handicap at Haydock in November.”


QuinnBet

Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1
12 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Three Stripe Life 6 11-4 Gordon Elliott Davy Russell 5/2F
2 4¾ Might I 6 11-4 Harry Fry Sean Bowen 16/1
3 3¾ North Lodge 5 11-4 Alan King A P Heskin 11/2
4 13 Nells Son 7 11-4 Nicky Richards Danny McMenamin 28/1
5 4½ Saint Riquier 4 10-8 Ian Williams Tom Scudamore 250/1
6 2¾ Good Risk At All 6 11-4 Sam Thomas Sam Twiston-Davies 11/2
7 12 Colonel Mustard 7 11-4 Mrs Lorna Fowler Conor Orr 12/1
FELL Captain Conby 5 11-4 E Sheehy Kevin Sexton 80/1
PU Elle Est Belle 6 10-11 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 7/1
PU Stage Star 6 11-4 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 17/2
PU Great Heart'Jac 7 11-4 Fergal O'Brien Paddy Brennan 200/1
PU Walking On Air 5 11-4 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 9/2
NR 5 Harbour Lake 6 11-4 Alan King NON RUNNER

Trainers Quotes