IRISH Point (149+) produced the quickest finish of the day on Saturday to win the Grade 1 novices’ hurdle at Aintree, further boosting the form of the Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

In covering the ground from the third last in 42.8secs, Irish Point demonstrated two-mile speed at the end of a well-run two-and-a-half mile contest.

Kateira (147+) never looked likely to reel in the winner despite finishing strongly. On this performance, and through a line with Cheltenham winner She Wears It Well, Katiera ranks very high amongst the leading novices of her gender on my ratings.

Exclusively kept to flat tracks by Dan Skelton, her early season targets will show whether the Mares’ Hurdle is a possibility.

Supreme form

A day earlier Fennor Cross (153) and Inthepocket (137+) franked the form of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle twice within 35 minutes as first John McConnell’s gelding won the two-and-a-half mile handicap before Inthepocket landed the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle.

On the clock the handicap rated higher, with the final circuit and closing sectionals confirming the superiority.

The tracker entries to make from the handicap include Sonigino (151+) - who was compromised early in the race when Off Your Rocco collided with the running rail - Harbour Lake (147), who looks to be crying out for three miles, and Tritonic (147), when racing over two-and-a-half miles.

The persistent rain impacted the ground for the last two races over hurdles, although it failed to stop the valiant Apple Away (141+) clocking a good time in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.

Lucinda Russell’s mare covered the ground from the third last hurdle in 48.6secs as she held the challenge of Grade 2 winner Maximilian (139) and Cheltenham winners Iroko (139) and Stay Away Fay (139) who all ran up to their previous performances.