Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle |
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| Grade 1, Aintree 13:55 £100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1  |
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1 Honesty Policy 5/1
2 Regent's Stroll 9/1
3
Funiculi Funicula 12/1
9 ran NR: Fingle Bridge, Lulamba, Moon Phases
Distances: ½l, ¾l, 4½l Time: 4m 55.83s (slow by 10.83s)
Honesty is always the BEST policy!
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 5, 2025
Honesty Policy pips them in the Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle 🥇#ITVRacing | #GrandNational | @gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/Zl8t4vqOBP
Gordon Elliott’s grip on the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle tightened even further, as Honesty Policy delivered a late, lung-bursting charge to snatch victory from the jaws of Regent’s Stroll, breaking hearts and records in equal measure.
For a fleeting moment, it seemed we were witnessing another masterclass in tempo and timing from Harry Cobden, whose front-running ride aboard Caldwell Potter on Friday had already etched itself into the Aintree annals. And aboard the same famous John Hales silks, Regent’s Stroll appeared poised to emulate that very feat.
But as the lactic acid crept in and the famous home straight asked one final question, it was Mark Walsh, so often the man for the big moment, who conjured a rattling finish from the 5-1 chance, timing his challenge with the precision of a Swiss watch. Honesty Policy, true to his name, was all grit and gallop—flying home to score by half a length and cap a fourth consecutive triumph in this race for his ever-reliable trainer.
“He’s got a proper engine, hasn’t he?” Elliott said with a wry smile. “Tough as nails, and a fantastic attitude. I’d say he was flat out the whole way—he just doesn’t know how to give in. He’ll go over further next year, no doubt about that. Stamina is his strong suit.”
As to whether he remains over timber or tries his hand at fences, Elliott offered a trainer’s prerogative: “Let’s enjoy today first.”
There was a touch of poignancy, too, as Elliott greeted Sir Alex Ferguson in the paddock—his former inmate Caldwell Potter now in the hands of Ferguson and partners, and Regent’s Stroll, also part-owned by the legendary manager, the one denied today.
“Sir Alex came over to say well done—and I said the same for yesterday,” Elliott added. “We’d have loved to keep Caldwell Potter, but that’s the game. Still, this race has been lucky for us. Four in a row—what more could you ask?”
Back in second, Regent’s Stroll emerged with his reputation enhanced, if not his record improved.
Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
£100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 4f, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Good
POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 Honesty Policy 5 11-7 Gordon Elliott Mark Walsh 5/1
2 ½ Regent's Stroll 6 11-7 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 9/1
3 ¾ Funiculi Funicula 5 11-7 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 12/1
4 4½ Koktail Divin 5 11-7 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 17/2
5 3¼ Horaces Pearl 7 11-7 Fergal O'Brien Connor Brace 4/1
6 1½ Castle Carrock 6 11-7 Alan King Tom Cannon 25/1
7 2¼ Miami Magic 6 11-7 Stuart Edmunds Brian Hughes 5/2F
8 1¾ Good And Clever 6 11-7 Warren Greatrex James Bowen 12/1
9 18 Kappa Jy Pyke 5 11-7 W P Mullins Paul Townend 17/2
NR 2 Fingle Bridge 7 11-7 Olly Murphy NON RUNNER
NR 10 Moon Phases 6 11-7 Lucinda Russell NON RUNNER
NR 12 Lulamba 4 10-11 Nicky Henderson NON RUNNER
