Liverpool Hurdle: get the inside track from connections

Wodhooh is a notable absentee from the Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday where trainer Gordon Elliott will instead rely on course winner Honesty Policy.

Owned by JP McManus, the six-year-old was a winner at the meeting in novice company 12 months ago and returns to Merseyside after finishing a respectable fifth in the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

That race was won by Joseph O’Brien’s veteran Home By The Lee, while a strong Irish challenge also includes Henry de Bromhead’s defending champion Hiddenvalley Lake and stablemate Air Of Entitlement – who returns to Grade One company after striking in the Martin Pipe at Prestbury Park.

Olly Murphy’s previous race winner and runner up 12 months ago, Strong Leader, leads the home defence and will lock horns once again with regular foe this term Impose Toi, who has claimed his scalp at both Newbury and in the Long Walk at Ascot.

Impose Toi is one of three for Nicky Henderson who will also saddle Doddiethegreat and Cheltenham Festival handicap winner Jingko Blue.

The action begins in the Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase where Willie Mullins’ Salvator Mundi could repeat his hurdles win at this meeting 12 months ago when arriving fresh to face off against Elliott’s Kala Conti.

In opposition to that raiding duo, Warren Greatrex’s Mighty Bandit could prove interesting arriving on the back of three taking wins in handicap company.

The other Grade One contest is the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle where Dan Skelton looks to hold a pair of aces with Soldier Reeves and Bossman Jack. They finished fourth and sixth respectively behind King Rasko Grey in the Turners at Cheltenham, but stable jockey Harry Skelton prefers the latter.

Ballyfad will bid to give Elliott a fifth-straight win in the race, while his former assistant Murphy will saddle EBF Final winner Scorpio Rising seeking a five-timer.