Aintree 2015: Mersey Novices Hurdle
The Mersey Novices Hurdle is Grade 2 Hurdle Race run over 2 miles 4 furlongs on Grand National Saturday at Aintree Racecourse. Notable horses on the roll of honour include Simonsig, Wayward Lad, Morley Street and Best Mate.
The 2015 renewal is due to take place on Grand National Saturday 11 April. The race will be shown on UK television by the Channel 4 as part of the build up to the Grand National itself.
Mersey Novices Hurdle Stats
Cheltenham Form: 4 of the last 5 winners ran at the Cheltenham Festival finishing in the first two.
Fate of the Favourite: Three winning favourites in the last decade and overall placings of 3 1 5 3 5 1 2 1 6 1
Winners Market Position: 6 of the last 7 winners have come from the first two in the market. Ten year market position of the winner was 5 1 2 2 7 1 2 1 6 1.
Rating: 6 of the last 8 winners had a pre-race rating of 148+
Age: No Strong trend
Trainer/Jockey: No Irish trained winners ince 2003. Henderson and Geraghty have teamed up to win the last two of the last four renewals. Nicholls and Walsh have won three of the last 11. Tony McCoy rode Nicholls 4 winner in 11 last year.
Mersey Novices Hurdle Winners 2003-2014
| Year | Form | Horse | LTO | OR | Age | Trainer | Jockey | SP |
| 2014 | 1411 | Lac Fontana | 22 | 148 | 5 | Paul Nicholls | A P McCoy | 9-2 |
| 2013 | 2347 | Ubak | 24 | 130 | 5 | Gary Moore | Jamie Moore | 22-1 |
| 2012 | 1211 | Simonsig | 31 | 157 | 6 | Nicky Henderson | Barry Geraghty | 4-9 |
| 2011 | 112 | Spirit Son | 24 | 149 | 5 | Nicky Henderson | Barry Geraghty | 3-1 |
| 2010 | 1111 | Peddlers Cross | 22 | 148 | 5 | Donald McCain | Jason Maguire | 5-4 |
| 2009 | 1 | Bouggler | 35 | – | 4 | Emma Lavelle | Noel Fehily | 16-1 |
| 2008 | 14214 | Elusive Dream | 39 | 152 | 7 | Paul Nicholls | Ruby Walsh | 7-2 |
| 2007 | 11122 | Tidal Bay | 29 | 149 | 6 | Howard Johnson | Paddy Brennan | 14-1 |
| 2006 | 11430 | Natal | 24 | 142 | 5 | Paul Nicholls | Ruby Walsh | 7-2 |
| 2005 | 1133 | Turpin Green | 46 | 130 | 6 | Nicky Richards | Tony Dobbin | 14-1 |
| 2004 | 21220 | Garde Champetre | 16 | – | 5 | Paul Nicholls | Ruby Walsh | 9-2 |
| 2003 | 2442 | Leinster | 23 | – | 6 | Dessie Hughes | Kieran Kelly | 12-1 |
