Next race off: My Drogo bids to stamp himself the best novice in Mersey clash

2.25 Aintree
Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

The median Racing Post Rating of all Grade 1 novice hurdle winners in Britain and Ireland since the start of 2008 comes in at 151 and only one horse has reached that level in this field.

My Drogo improved 10lb on his previous best when recording an RPR of 153 by winning a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Kelso last time and the exciting thing is he looks capable of better.

After My Drogo won at Kelso trainer Dan Skelton said: “The really impressive thing about him is that as the season’s progressed he’s got stronger and heavier.”

That assessment is backed up by his form as he isn’t just improving, he is going forward at a rapid rate. He only made his debut in October, but already has legitimate claims to be the best novice in Britain.

Ballyadam: My Drogo's main dangerCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

It’ll take something special to beat him, especially as he is fresh having missed Cheltenham.

Ballyadam did run at Cheltenham last month and finished second in the Supreme, but Blue Lord would have filled that position but for falling at the last and, in reality, fresh air was the runner-up in that race. Appreciate It left everything for dead and came home 24 lengths clear.

My Drogo has 6lb in hand of Ballyadam on RPRs, but Ballyadam is more exposed and will need to improve significantly for the step up in trip to compete with My Drogo. There is some hope on that score, though, because Ballyadam’s half-brother Legal Eyes stays 3m.

Colin Tizzard has a remarkable record in Grade 1 hurdles at the Grand National meeting. He has won this race twice since 2017, including with 20-1 shot Reserve Tank two years ago, the Sefton with 25-1 chance Thistlecrack in 2015, and the 2017 Top Novices’ Hurdle with Pingshou at 16-1. The huge prices on offer for Striking A Pose look value on those stats alone.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Tom Lacey, trainer of Adrimel
We were disappointed with his run at Cheltenham when he stopped very quickly. Richard Johnson pulled him up and didn't force him up the hill. Ultimately he didn't have a hard race and he's come out of it bouncing. We're dropping him back in trip and he should be competitive.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Guard Your Dreams
He is in great form and has been unlucky. He missed the start at Cheltenham so provided he doesn't do that again he should go well.

Alan King, trainer of Jay Bee Why
The sound surface should suit him. He's won twice this season and was a close fifth in a graded race at Warwick. This will be his last hurdles run before he goes chasing in the autumn and he deserves to take his chance in a Grade 1.

Tom Symonds: trainer fields Llandinabo LadCredit: Edward Whitaker

Tom Symonds, trainer of Llandinabo Lad
He just didn't perform to the best of his ability at Haydock but the ground was hard work that day and I think he's a good deal better than that. His form is really good. He'd have a good chance, the better ground would be a question but I can't see any reason why he wouldn't handle it.

Dan Skelton, trainer of My Drogo
I'm really happy with him and two and a half miles is a good trip for him around Aintree. We missed Cheltenham and there are no excuses. He's fresh and well and his main opposition [Ballyadam] had a run at Cheltenham and has had to travel twice over the Irish Sea to do this. That perhaps hands us a little advantage and my fella is a very good horse, who was always coming to this race.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Pipesmoker
He's a really smart horse I hope. Last year we threw him in the deep end and he got a lot of experience. He's had niggly problems all season but he seems in very good shape now and had a nice start the other day so he should go well.

Joe Tizzard, son of and assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Striking A Pose
He's got a bit to find but we're not afraid of chucking them in the deep end and seeing where we are for his last run of the season. You can put a line through his Sandown run, he just hated the ground, and he's in good nick.
Reporting by James Burn

Read more Grand National day previews:

Runner-by-runner guide: trainer quotes and ratings for the Grand National

'You'd have to like his chances' – Jonjo O'Neill bullish about Cloth Cap

3.00 Aintree: how does super Shishkin measure up to the other great champions?

3.35 Aintree: Paisley Park and Thyme Hill to renew epic rivalry in Ryanair Hurdle

4.15 Aintree: Skelton's switch of disciplines may work the oracle for quirky Spiritofthegames

Members can click here to download the digital newspaper every evening from 9pm. Not a member? Click here to sign up and enjoy the digital newspaper every day.