14:00 Aintree – Step up in class no problem for Topolski
Published:Topolski has made light work of his two hurdles starts to date and although taking a massive hike in class at Aintree, he can still secure victory in the Top Novices’ Hurdle.
Ex-Flat horse have a good record in the Aintree race, winning six of the last eight runnings and this is no real surprise given the lack of undulations at the Liverpool track, which allow speed horses to fully utilise their natural attribute.
Although not setting the world alight on the Flat for trainer Andrew Balding, Topolski has taken to hurdling extremely quickly since joining David Arbuthnot.
Easy victories have been registered on his starts at Sandown and Newton Abbot and he arrives at Aintree with a strong chance at 11/2.
Other statistics that work in Topolski’s favour are that 15 of the last 20 winners have come from the top four in the Aintree betting market, while ten of the last 14 winners won on their final start ahead of the Top Novices’ Hurdle.
Sire De Grugy is another to have done little wrong since joining the hurdles ranks, but the fact the he has progressed down the bumper route rather than on the Flat is something that does not work in his favour.
However, he does have some useful bits of form behind Knight Pass and Bobs Worth and was the winner of a Grade Two at Kempton on his latest start and is 9/2.
Both Topolski and Sire De Grugy both prefer to come from off the pace and this could also suit their chances as the Top Novices’ Hurdle is a race that has not been won for 14 years by a horse that likes to make the running.
A £20 stake on Topolski winning the Top Novices’ Hurdle would return £110. New customers can sign up here to take advantage of free bets totalling up to £60.
