‘No excuses’ for Strong Leader in Liverpool Hurdle

Olly Murphy will have “no excuses” when Strong Leader returns to his beloved Aintree looking to reclaim his Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle crown.

The winner of the race in 2024, the nine-year-old was second 12 months ago and is now back on Merseyside having been freshened up ahead of a Grade One that is always his end-of-season goal.

“This has been the plan since Trials day (at Cheltenham in January). He’s had another wind operation and we’re fitting him with a tongue-tie for the first time,” said Murphy.

“He absolutely loves the place and there will be no excuses, he’s in fantastic nick.

“This is absolutely the race we circle on the calendar at the start of every year, we have to keep him fresh for this. We keep him busy in the autumn and then really freshen him up for this each year and I’m really look forward to running him.”

It was Henry de Bromhead’s Hiddenvalley Lake who lowered Strong Leader’s colours last year and having only been seen the once so far this season, arrives here fully primed to defend his title.

“He’s had a light campaign this season which has all been geared towards Aintree,” said Robbie Power, racing manager for owners Robcour – who will also field Cheltenham Festival winner Air Of Entitlement.

“He looks great and he heads there in great form which he’ll need to be as it looks like being a competitive race.”

Both Strong Leader and Hiddenvalley Lake missed the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a race that was won by Joseph O’Brien’s veteran Home By The Lee at 33-1.

A stalwart of the division, he now attempts to repeat those heroics at a track he has pulled-up at in both previous visits.

O’Brien said: “He’s had a really good preparation since Cheltenham and he obviously needs to bring his A-game to Aintree which he hasn’t done before, but we feel like we have him as sweet as he has been, so hopefully he might be able to back up his great run at Cheltenham.

“Cheltenham was a great day, especially for Sean (O’Driscoll) and his family who own and bred him and now we’re looking for another great one here.”

Gordon Elliott’s Honesty Policy was the best part of seven lengths adrift at Prestbury Park but brings Grade One-winning form at the course to the table in a race the Cullentra House handler won back-to-back with Sir Du Berlais in 2022 and 2023.

“He ran well to a point at Cheltenham and then was just found wanting a little bit late on,” explained Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus.

“He ran well though here when he won last season so hopefully the return to a flat track will suit him and he arrives in good form.”

The Irish hand is strengthened by John ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s popular Hewick, while Nicky Henderson will saddle three – Impose Toi, Doddiethegreat and Cheltenham Festival winner Jingko Blue.