Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices' Hurdle
Grade 1, Aintree 14:20
£75,000 added,
4yo only,
2m 209y, Class 1   
Thursday 8th April 2021

1 Monmiral 10/11F
2 Adagio 13/8
3 Fiveandtwenty 12/1
6 ran Distances: 7½l, 9½l, 9l
Time: 4m 12.60s (slow by 12.60s)

Unbeaten Monmiral completed his perfect season and made it five wins from five career starts to land his first Grade One.

Trainer Paul Nicholls was rewarded for opting not to send the talented hurdler to run in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at The Festival™ supporting WellChild at Cheltenham last month and watched as he eased to a seven and a half length victory.

It was also a second win on the day for part-owners Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason.

Nicholls said afterwards: “The owners weren’t that keen to go to Cheltenham. In normal years that (Triumph Hurdle) is a bit of a cavalry charge but as it turned out there weren’t many runners. I was itching to go but he is a horse for the future and this is a lovely race to win.

“He is unbeaten now and there is lots to look forward to. This side (of the Irish Sea) it has to be (best performance from a juvenile). He was very impressive at Haydock and the form has worked well and today he has beaten Adagio well."

Part-owner Ged Mason said: “I pinch myself when I think that Monmiral is five from five - I don’t think I’ve ever owned a horse who has done that, really - it’s a tremendous feat and he’s come up against some quality horses. Talking to Paul, he might start by going hurdling next year and see how it goes. Sometimes he doesn’t respect hurdles and gets a bit close, but we’ll see.”

Trainers Quotes

David Pipe, trainer of the runner-up, Adagio, said: “He ran a great race, obviously the mistake at the last didn’t help but he’s had an amazing season. Win, lose or draw he’s come out of a claimer so it’s been amazing what he’s done.”

Jockey Tom Scudamore added: “He’s run very well, we’re very pleased with him and he’s run a great race.”

A further nine and a half lengths back in third was Fiveandtwenty and her trainer Donald McCain said: “I’m delighted with that. I wouldn’t mind a few more like her. She’s a smasher. She’s had a tough old paper round, coming from Mark Johnston on the Flat.

“She took to hurdling really well and she’s won a Listed race and now been placed in a Grade 1, which for a mare is fantastic. I’ve thought all year that Paul’s horse was probably the best juvenile in the country, and to be third behind those two was no disgrace.

“An autumn target would be the mares’ race on Charlie Hall day, but what we do between now and then I don’t know.”

Jockey Brain Hughes added: “She was entitled to take her chance and she’s run well behind two good horses. She’s an improving filly, and you have to happy with that.”

Boylesports

Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)
£75,000 added, 4yo only, 2m 209y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Soft

NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1      Monmiral 4 11-0 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 10/11F
2 7½ Adagio 4 11-0 David Pipe Tom Scudamore 13/8
3 9½ Fiveandtwenty 4 10-7 Donald McCain Brian Hughes 12/1
4 9 John Locke 4 11-0 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 16/1
5 14 Paros 4 11-0 Nicky Henderson James Bowen 20/1
6 64 Carlos Felix 4 11-0 Dan Skelton Bridget Andrews 125/1

QuinnBet