The Liverpool Hurdle is the first race on the week at Aintree for the Grand National Meeting and there will be a top class field as always for the race, Big Buck's has won the race for the past two years and there is always plenty of attention around him. The full race card for the Liverpool Hurdle will be available closer to the race with the final declarations coming in 48 hours before the off time.
Punters will be able to study the comprehensive Card for the race right here with Jockey colours and form lines included for each of the runners, it is a must for punters wanting to have a bet on the big race at Aintree.
Race OverviewThe extraordinary BIG BUCK'S gained a fourth straight win in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and looks set to complete another remarkable four-timer, having won this contest for the last three years. Smad Place has over 8l to find with the champion on Cheltenham form but that run showed he's still improving and, with more progress on the cards, he looks the one most likely to cause an upset. Poungach also has a progressive profile and he could sneak into third.[Steve Boow]
Odds provided by Paddypower
| No. | Runner | Details | Rating | Odds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Across The Bay (IRE) J M Maguire D McCain | 8 yrs / 161 lbs 82425P | ||
CommentAcross The Bay
Something possibly amiss latest; out of his depth at this level
| Date | Race Conditions | Weight | Jockey | Race Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/03/12 | CHL 24Gd Cl1 LisHdHc,40K | 149 lbs | Jason Maguire | PU/24 Cape Tribulation[16/1]10-11 |
| 28/01/12 | CHL 24GS Cl1 G2Hd,28K | 154 lbs | Jason Maguire | 5/6 26 1/2l, Big Buck's[50/1]11-8 |
| 17/12/11 | HAY 20Hy Cl2 HdHc,13K | 159 lbs | Jason Maguire | 2/13 4 1/2l, Safran De Cotte[9/2F]9-10 |
| 19/11/11 | HAY 24GS Cl1 G3HdHc,43K | 147 lbs | Henry Brooke | 4/20 9 1/4l, Dynaste[16/1]10-13 |
| 23/10/11 | Ain 24Gd Cl2 HdHc,9K | 142 lbs | Henry Brooke | 2/14 1 1/2l, Rival D'Estruval[12/1]10-0 |
| 2 |  | Big Buck's (FR) R Walsh P Nicholls | 9 yrs / 161 lbs 1-1111 |
CommentBig Buck's
Truly exceptional staying hurdler; set for 17th straight success
| Date | Race Conditions | Weight | Jockey | Race Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/03/12 | CHL 24Gd Cl1 G1Hd,148K | 164 lbs | R Walsh | 1/11 1 3/4l, Voler La Vedette[5/6F]11-3 tongue str |
| 28/01/12 | CHL 24GS Cl1 G2Hd,28K | 162 lbs | R Walsh | 1/6 7l, Dynaste[1/4F]11-4 |
| 17/12/11 | ASC 25Sft Cl1 G1Hd,42K | 161 lbs | R Walsh | 1/7 8l, Five Dream[30/100F]11-7 |
| 26/11/11 | NBY 24GS Cl1 G2Hd,17K | 162 lbs | R Walsh | 1/6 5l, Five Dream[1/8F]11-0 |
| 07/04/11 | Ain 24GS Cl1 G1Hd,57K | 161 lbs | R Walsh | 1/11 5l, Grands Crus[4/6F]11-7 tongue str |
| 3 |  | Crack Away Jack N Fehily T George | 8 yrs / 161 lbs 8P-50P |
CommentCrack Away Jack
Formerly smart; stamina to prove upped in trip; new stable
| Date | Race Conditions | Weight | Jockey | Race Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/03/12 | CHL 21Gd Cl1 G3ChHc,43K | 155 lbs | R Walsh | PU/22 Salut Flo[13/2]10-10 |
| 18/02/12 | ASC 19GS Cl2 HdHc,25K | 166 lbs | R Walsh | 13/18 33 1/4l, Bourne[8/1]9-11 |
| 11/11/11 | CHL 16Gd Cl2 ChHc,25K | 163 lbs | R Walsh | 5/17 10 3/4l, Tanks For That[11/4F]11-7 |
| 11/02/11 | KEM 20GS Cl2 Ch,14K | 158 lbs | Wayne Hutchinson | PU/4 Punchestowns[5/1]11-7 |
| 22/01/11 | ASC 17GS Cl1 G1Ch,59K | 161 lbs | Wayne Hutchinson | 8/9 75l, Master Minded[14/1]11-7 |
| 4 |  | Poungach (FR) D Jacob P Nicholls | 6 yrs / 161 lbs 131-12 |
CommentPoungach
Progressive profile; step up to 3m may suit; place prospects
| Date | Race Conditions | Weight | Jockey | Race Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/12 | CHL 20GS Cl2 Hd,13K | 158 lbs | R Walsh | 2/4 2l, Oscar Whisky[15/8]11-12 |
| 03/12/11 | SAN 22GS Cl2 HdHc,10K | 158 lbs | R Walsh | 1/19 8l, Cantlow[5/2F]11-2 |
| 22/01/11 | ASC 19GS 4-7yCl3 NvHd,5K | 156 lbs | Daryl Jacob | 1/14 8l, No Secrets[3/1]11-8 |
| 19/11/10 | ASC 19GS Cl3 NvHd,5K | 147 lbs | Ryan Mahon | 3/12 9 3/4l, Frascati Park[25/1]10-12 |
| 16/05/10 | STR 16Gd 4-6yCl6 NHF,2K | 152 lbs | Harry Skelton | 1/9 8l, Traditional Bob[9/4]11-2 |
| 5 |  | Restless Harry C Poste R Dickin | 8 yrs / 161 lbs 323410 |
CommentRestless Harry
Dependable sort but yet to beat Big Buck's in four attempts
| Date | Race Conditions | Weight | Jockey | Race Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/03/12 | CHL 24Gd Cl1 LisHdHc,40K | 166 lbs | Charlie Poste | 11/24 23 1/4l, Cape Tribulation[16/1]10-11 |
| 18/02/12 | HAY 24Hy Cl1 G2Hd,19K | 166 lbs | Henry Oliver | 1/7 5l, Cross Kennon[9/2]11-12 |
| 28/01/12 | CHL 24GS Cl1 G2Hd,28K | 162 lbs | Henry Oliver | 4/6 21 1/2l, Big Buck's[20/1]11-8 |
| 17/12/11 | ASC 25Sft Cl1 G1Hd,42K | 161 lbs | Henry Oliver | 3/7 9 1/2l, Big Buck's[16/1]11-7 |
| 03/12/11 | CHP 24Hy Cl3 NvCh,5K | 155 lbs | Charlie Poste | 2/8 3 1/2l, Teaforthree[2/1F]11-1 |
| 6 |  | Smad Place (FR) R Thornton A King | 5 yrs / 161 lbs 10-123 |
CommentSmad Place
Improving 5yo, third to Big Buck's at Cheltenham last time
| Date | Race Conditions | Weight | Jockey | Race Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/03/12 | CHL 24Gd Cl1 G1Hd,148K | 164 lbs | Robert Thornton | 3/11 8 3/4l, Big Buck's[20/1]11-10 |
| 18/02/12 | ASC 19GS Cl2 HdHc,25K | 166 lbs | Robert Thornton | 2/18 3 1/2l, Bourne[9/2]9-11 |
| 21/01/12 | ASC 19GS Cl1 G2HdHc,23K | 163 lbs | Wayne Hutchinson | 1/10 7l, Shoreacres[7/1]11-3 |
| 18/03/11 | CHL 17Gd 4yCl1 G1Hd,57K | 154 lbs | Robert Thornton | 10/23 11l, Zarkandar[11/1]11-0 |
| 19/02/11 | WCN 16GS Cl4 NvHd,2K | 154 lbs | Robert Thornton | 1/15 2 1/4l, Jump City[1/4F]10-13 |
| 7 |  | Tidal Bay (IRE) N Scholfield P Nicholls | 11 yrs / 161 lbs 6U-325 |
CommentTidal Bay
Enigmatic veteran; fourth in this race two years ago
| Date | Race Conditions | Weight | Jockey | Race Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/02/12 | NBY 24GS Cl1 G2Ch,17K | 154 lbs | R Walsh | 5/5 19 1/4l, Long Run[5/1]11-10 |
| 28/01/12 | CHL 25GS Cl1 G2Ch,57K | 154 lbs | R Walsh | 2/9 2 3/4l, Midnight Chase[9/2]11-6 |
| 01/01/12 | CHL 24GS Cl2 HdHc,13K | 163 lbs | Ryan Mahon | 3/8 4 3/4l, Houblon Des Obeaux[9/2]10-1 |
| 09/04/11 | Ain 36Gd Cl1 G3ChHc,535K | 163 lbs | Brian Hughes | UR/40 Ballabriggs[28/1]11-0 |
| 18/03/11 | CHL 26Gd Cl1 G1Ch,285K | 164 lbs | Brian Hughes | 6/13 23l, Long Run[16/1]11-10 |
| 8 |  | Won In The Dark (IRE) A E Lynch S Harty | 8 yrs / 161 lbs 346223 |
CommentWon In The Dark
Not the force of old but was a 66-1 third in this race last term
| Date | Race Conditions | Weight | Jockey | Race Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22/03/12 | COR 20Gd/Y Hd,11K | 156 lbs | A E Lynch | 3/5 5l, Oilily[4/1]11-5 |
| 04/03/12 | LEO 18Gd Hd,11K | 154 lbs | A E Lynch | 2/6 2l, Pittoni[3/1]11-10 |
| 22/02/12 | PUN 16Sft/Hy Hd,9K | 157 lbs | A E Lynch | 2/4 3 1/4l, Cousin Vinny[5/1]11-3 |
| 28/08/11 | GAL 20Gd Hd,11K | 156 lbs | A E Lynch | 6/6 17 3/4l, Silk Hall[4/1]10-13 |
| 01/08/11 | COR 18Gd Hd,12K | 156 lbs | D N Russell | 4/4 20 1/2l, Oneeightofamile[9/10F]10-10 |
