Aintree Friday

Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

BELFAST Banter (Peter Fahey/Kevin Sexton) has been called a wide array of uncomplimentary names for a novice, but he added a Grade 1 win to his County Hurdle success here, and any idea that he won’t go through with his effort has been put to bed after this easy victory.

The 9/1 shot was meeting County sixth Third Time Lucki on 14lb worse terms for three lengths, but he slammed that rival by more than 14 lengths here, and has clearly improved markedly since the pair were unplaced at Musselburgh.

Do Your Job (Michael Scudamore/Brendan Powell) was the winner’s closest pursuer here, with one and a quarter lengths between winner and runner-up, and between second and third, which was favourite Dusart (Nicky Henderson/Nico de Boinville).

The latter betrayed his inexperience by coming off the bridle a long way out, but he kept on well, and will learn a lot from this experience, appealing as the best prospect in the race.

Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

NICKY Henderson has not enjoyed his best season, although wins for Shishkin and Chantry House at Cheltenham have eased the pain. The latter again came to the yard’s rescue after a few reverses earlier in the meeting, winning the Grade 1 Mildmay by a yawning 32 lengths from the non-staying Shan Blue (Dan/Harry Skelton), but the issue was very much in the balance when longtime leader Espoir De Romay capsized at the penultimate fence.

It’s possible that Kim Bailey’s charge was beginning to tire, but he seemed to be finding plenty at the time, and de Boinville had begun asking serious questions of the 11/8 winner when he was left clear. Both look good prospects in open company next year, with Espoir De Romay potentially well treated for races like the Ladbrokes Trophy, with the handicapper surely unable to hit him hard for this failure to complete.