The Sefton Novices' Hurdle
The Sefton Novices' Hurdle is the premier stayers hurdle event for novices' at the Aintree Festival. The Grade 1 race is run over a distance of 3 miles 110 yards and features 13 hurdles. Entry to the race is open to 4-year-old and above novice hurdlers.
The Sefton Novices' Hurdle is considered to be the sequel to the Spa Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and is a prepatory event for horses that are likely to run in the World Hurdle later in their careers. The race was first run in 1988 and acquired Grade 1 status in 1995.
Sefton Novices' Hurdle Betting Tips & Trends
Age: The majority of race winners are aged between 5 and 7, with a horse outside this age margin last winning in 1999.
Odds: The Sefton Novices' Hurdle is something of a lottery and is easily the most unpredictable Grade 1 race at the Aintree Festival. Prices for winners in the last 5 years have ranged anywhere from 8/13 to 25/1 with only one antepost favourite winning during this period.
Jockey: Barry Geraghty has won the Sefton Novices' Hurdle twice since 2000.
Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill has trained two Sefton Novices' Hurdle winners since 2003.
Sefton Novices' Hurdle Tip: This is a tough race to call for punters looking to back a winner. It's easier to go lay the favourite at an exchange, as the liability is likely to be low in this racing lottery.
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BetFair - £25 Free BetSefton Novices' Hurdle Winners
Winners of the Sefton Novices' Hurdle rarely go on to achieve victories in major national hunt races. Exceptions to this include 1992 Sefton Novices' Hurdle winner Barton Bank, who went on to a successful chase career that included wins at the King George V Chase and the Martell Cup Chase. More recently 2003 winner, Iris's Gift, went on to win the Liverpool Hurdle in 2004.
