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Molyneux Hurdle: runner-by-runner guide and big race verdict

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Tue 3 Nov 2026

Champion Hurdle hopefuls head the market in a competitive Grade 2 William Hill Molyneux Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday, with Mydaddypaddy looking to get back to winning ways after losing his unbeaten streak at this venue on Boxing Day.

By Kate Mandley

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1 - Alexei

This race looks to be a match-up between Alexei and Mydaddypaddy, with the former the more experienced of the pair.

Alexei enjoyed successful campaign last season, winning three of his seven races, highlighted by Grade 2 victory in the Kingwell Hurdle.

A strong traveller and effective jumper, this son of Tai Chi is well up to winning a race like this and the unseasonably good ground will suit him, but he will have to defy a 4lb penalty.

2 - Lucky Place

Nicky Henderson saddles Lucky Place who, while being a talented hurdler, looks somewhat up against it in this race.

He’s classy enough on his day but victory evaded him last season, including when odds-on favourite in some very small fields, so it is hard to see him returning to winning ways against stronger opposition here.

He also holds and entry in the Pertemps qualifier on the same card.

3 - Melon

Melon lines up for local trainers Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero for the highest grade of race he has contested since his juvenile days.

He was the promoted winner here in April following Laafi’s disqualification, and that was his sole ‘victory’ of the campaign.

He’s been a good servant to connections and is consistent in handicaps, but he’d have to put up a career best by some way to go close in this.

4 - Morning Mayhem

Nick Schofield’s Morning Mayhem also looks out of his depth in this company having never been successful in anything better than a Class 3.

He ran on just 31st October when a staying-on seventh in a Class 2 handicap at Ascot.

He’s a five-time winner and versatile across all ground conditions but simply does not possess the class or ability to trouble those at the head of this market.

5 - Mydaddypaddy

Antepost Champion Hurdle second favourite Mydaddypaddy closely contests Alexei for at the head of the market here and they look tricky to split on paper.

Mydaddypaddy went unbeaten in his first three races before being beaten in two Grade 1s later in the season.

He is still incredibly unexposed and excuses can be offered for both defeats, with the omission of hurdles not working in his favour at Aintree and being hampered on the run-in when third in the Supreme Novices’ at Cheltenham.

He is yet to win a race against opposition this strong, but his yard is in excellent form and he should hold plenty of scope for improvement.

6 - Mange Tout

Gordon Elliott sends over four-year-old filly Mange Tout and she makes for a very interesting runner.

She is 4/5 and suffered her sole defeat when third in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown before bouncing back to be successful over this course and distance in the Grade 1 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle in April.

She is yet to be tried on good ground but when so successful as a juvenile, she must be respected in her first clash in open company.

Big race verdict:

This race could easily be claimed by any of the first three in the betting, but I am more inclined to side with the more unexposed of the trio. Mydaddypaddy is undoubtedly a top-class horse in the making but, looking likely to go off at a short price, I am happy to take a chance with Mange Tout who looks appealing at 5-1 currently.

Although carrying a 3lb penalty for her juvenile Grade 1 success, her 7lb fillies’ allowance means she receives 4lb from the field and a further 4lb from Alexei. Gordon Elliott’s yard have made a strong start to the season and she has progressed from her very creditable juvenile days and handling the good ground, she could be good enough to be successful in her first attempt against older horses.

1 - Mange Tout

2 - Mydaddypaddy

3 - Alexei

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