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  1. irishracing.com
  2. Race Cards
  3. Thu, 9th Apr, 2026
  4. Aintree
  5. 4.05
Going - Good to Soft. 
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Formscan  - Just half a length separated BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD and The New Lion when they chased home Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle and Gordon Elliott's mare is expected to confirm her superiority. There has been a suspicion that she has never been at her best at Cheltenham, but there was no disgrace in her effort last month and the seven-year-old boasts a much stronger level of form. Alexei was running really well until making a bad mistake at the last when fourth in the Champion and he will be a live threat if his stamina holds out, while Potters Charm arrives here following a brace of victories at Windsor and Fontwell.

1
1314
Alexei (GER) 6,b g 11-10

Tai Chi (GER)-Andromeda(Mount Nelson)

ts+(30) (Brocade Racing)
Rated 158

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Alexei (GER) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Golden Ace (GB)1
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) Alexei (GER) 4th (22/1 11-10 Rated 148) Brendan Powell .25L in front of Golden Ace (GB) 5th (12/1 11-3 Rated 152) Lorcan Williams (9 ran)
sp
Brighterdaysahead (FR)1
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) Brighterdaysahead (FR) 2nd (7/2 11-3 Rated 160) J W Kennedy 3.00L in front of Alexei (GER) 4th (22/1 11-10 Rated 148) Brendan Powell (9 ran)
sp
The New Lion (GB)1
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) The New Lion (GB) 3rd (3/1 11-10 Rated 159) Harry Skelton 2.50L in front of Alexei (GER) 4th (22/1 11-10 Rated 148) Brendan Powell (9 ran)
sp
2
-151
El Fabiolo (FR) 9,b g 11-10

Spanish Moon (USA)-Sainte Mante(Saint des Saints)

(38) (Simon Munir & Isaac Souede)
Rated 155

Head to Head

In the last 3 years El Fabiolo (FR) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Brighterdaysahead (FR)1
1st Feb 2026 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Heavy (Hurdle); Soft (Chase)) Brighterdaysahead (FR) 1st (11/4 11-5 Rated 159) J W Kennedy 20.75L in front of El Fabiolo (FR) 5th (8/1 11-12 Rated 156) J J Slevin (5 ran)
sp
3
3230
Lucky Place (FR) 7,b g 11-10

Pastorius (GER)-Luckystar Du Frene(Perrault)

(29) d1 (Mrs G Van Geest & Mr M George)
Rated 151

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Lucky Place (FR) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Golden Ace (GB)3
1st Jan 2025 Cheltenham(2m 4f 56yds, Hurdle, Soft ) Lucky Place (FR) 1st (3/1 11-6 Rated 145) N de Boinville 4.75L in front of Golden Ace (GB) 3rd (5/2Fav 10-10 Rated 144) Lorcan Williams (6 ran)
sp
23rd Nov 2024 Ascot(2m 3f 58yds, Hurdle, Good) Lucky Place (FR) 1st (4/1 11-0 Rated 140) N de Boinville 2.00L in front of Golden Ace (GB) 4th (2/1Fav 10-10 Rated 144) Lorcan Williams (5 ran)
sp
8th Jan 2024 Taunton(2m 3f 1yds, Hurdle, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Golden Ace (GB) 1st (9/2 10-12) Lorcan Williams .75L in front of Lucky Place (FR) 2nd (13/8 11-12 Rated 130) James Bowen (11 ran)
sp
4
3411
Potters Charm (IRE) 7,b g 11-10

Valirann (FR)-Autumn In New York(Shantou)

(46) c1 d4 (El Rincon)
Rated 154

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Potters Charm (IRE) has met

HorseNo. Of times
The New Lion (GB)1
12th Mar 2025 Cheltenham(2m 5f , Hurdle, Good to Soft) The New Lion (GB) 1st (3/1 11-7 Rated 147) Harry Skelton 17.75L in front of Potters Charm (IRE) 5th (12/1 11-7 Rated 145) Sam Twiston-Davies (11 ran)
sp
5
-F13
The New Lion (GB) 7,b g 11-10

Kayf Tara (GB)-Raitera(Astarabad)

(30) (Mr John P McManus)
Rated 160

Head to Head

In the last 3 years The New Lion (GB) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Golden Ace (GB)2
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) The New Lion (GB) 3rd (3/1 11-10 Rated 159) Harry Skelton 2.75L in front of Golden Ace (GB) 5th (12/1 11-3 Rated 152) Lorcan Williams (9 ran)
sp
29th Nov 2025 Newcastle(2m 190yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft (Soft in places)) Golden Ace (GB) 1st (22/1 11-3 Rated 152) Lorcan Williams The New Lion (GB) fell (15/8 11-10 Rated 159) Harry Skelton (5 ran)
sp
Brighterdaysahead (FR)1
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) Brighterdaysahead (FR) 2nd (7/2 11-3 Rated 160) J W Kennedy .50L in front of The New Lion (GB) 3rd (3/1 11-10 Rated 159) Harry Skelton (9 ran)
sp
Potters Charm (IRE)1
12th Mar 2025 Cheltenham(2m 5f , Hurdle, Good to Soft) The New Lion (GB) 1st (3/1 11-7 Rated 147) Harry Skelton 17.75L in front of Potters Charm (IRE) 5th (12/1 11-7 Rated 145) Sam Twiston-Davies (11 ran)
sp
Alexei (GER)1
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) The New Lion (GB) 3rd (3/1 11-10 Rated 159) Harry Skelton 2.50L in front of Alexei (GER) 4th (22/1 11-10 Rated 148) Brendan Powell (9 ran)
sp
6
-212
Brighterdaysahead (FR) 7,b f 11-3

Kapgarde (FR)-Matnie(Laveron)

(30) cd1 (Gigginstown House Stud)
Rated 159

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Brighterdaysahead (FR) has met

HorseNo. Of times
El Fabiolo (FR)1
1st Feb 2026 Leopardstown(2m , Hurdle, Heavy (Hurdle); Soft (Chase)) Brighterdaysahead (FR) 1st (11/4 11-5 Rated 159) J W Kennedy 20.75L in front of El Fabiolo (FR) 5th (8/1 11-12 Rated 156) J J Slevin (5 ran)
sp
Golden Ace (GB)3
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) Brighterdaysahead (FR) 2nd (7/2 11-3 Rated 160) J W Kennedy 3.25L in front of Golden Ace (GB) 5th (12/1 11-3 Rated 152) Lorcan Williams (9 ran)
sp
11th Mar 2025 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) Golden Ace (GB) 1st (25/1 11-3 Rated 144) Lorcan Williams 19.50L in front of Brighterdaysahead (FR) 4th (5/2 11-3 Rated 163) J W Kennedy (7 ran)
sp
14th Mar 2024 Cheltenham(2m 179yds, Hurdle, Soft) Golden Ace (GB) 1st (10/1 11-2 Rated 124) Lorcan Williams 1.75L in front of Brighterdaysahead (FR) 2nd (5/6Fav 11-7 Rated 143) J W Kennedy (8 ran)
sp
The New Lion (GB)1
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) Brighterdaysahead (FR) 2nd (7/2 11-3 Rated 160) J W Kennedy .50L in front of The New Lion (GB) 3rd (3/1 11-10 Rated 159) Harry Skelton (9 ran)
sp
Alexei (GER)1
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) Brighterdaysahead (FR) 2nd (7/2 11-3 Rated 160) J W Kennedy 3.00L in front of Alexei (GER) 4th (22/1 11-10 Rated 148) Brendan Powell (9 ran)
sp
7
2125
Golden Ace (GB) 8,b m 11-3

Golden Horn (GB)-Deuce Again(Dubawi)

(30) d1 (I F Gosden)
Rated 150

Head to Head

In the last 3 years Golden Ace (GB) has met

HorseNo. Of times
Brighterdaysahead (FR)3
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) Brighterdaysahead (FR) 2nd (7/2 11-3 Rated 160) J W Kennedy 3.25L in front of Golden Ace (GB) 5th (12/1 11-3 Rated 152) Lorcan Williams (9 ran)
sp
11th Mar 2025 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) Golden Ace (GB) 1st (25/1 11-3 Rated 144) Lorcan Williams 19.50L in front of Brighterdaysahead (FR) 4th (5/2 11-3 Rated 163) J W Kennedy (7 ran)
sp
14th Mar 2024 Cheltenham(2m 179yds, Hurdle, Soft) Golden Ace (GB) 1st (10/1 11-2 Rated 124) Lorcan Williams 1.75L in front of Brighterdaysahead (FR) 2nd (5/6Fav 11-7 Rated 143) J W Kennedy (8 ran)
sp
Lucky Place (FR)3
1st Jan 2025 Cheltenham(2m 4f 56yds, Hurdle, Soft ) Lucky Place (FR) 1st (3/1 11-6 Rated 145) N de Boinville 4.75L in front of Golden Ace (GB) 3rd (5/2Fav 10-10 Rated 144) Lorcan Williams (6 ran)
sp
23rd Nov 2024 Ascot(2m 3f 58yds, Hurdle, Good) Lucky Place (FR) 1st (4/1 11-0 Rated 140) N de Boinville 2.00L in front of Golden Ace (GB) 4th (2/1Fav 10-10 Rated 144) Lorcan Williams (5 ran)
sp
8th Jan 2024 Taunton(2m 3f 1yds, Hurdle, Soft (Good to Soft in places)) Golden Ace (GB) 1st (9/2 10-12) Lorcan Williams .75L in front of Lucky Place (FR) 2nd (13/8 11-12 Rated 130) James Bowen (11 ran)
sp
The New Lion (GB)2
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) The New Lion (GB) 3rd (3/1 11-10 Rated 159) Harry Skelton 2.75L in front of Golden Ace (GB) 5th (12/1 11-3 Rated 152) Lorcan Williams (9 ran)
sp
29th Nov 2025 Newcastle(2m 190yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft (Soft in places)) Golden Ace (GB) 1st (22/1 11-3 Rated 152) Lorcan Williams The New Lion (GB) fell (15/8 11-10 Rated 159) Harry Skelton (5 ran)
sp
Alexei (GER)1
10th Mar 2026 Cheltenham(2m 87yds, Hurdle, Good to Soft) Alexei (GER) 4th (22/1 11-10 Rated 148) Brendan Powell .25L in front of Golden Ace (GB) 5th (12/1 11-3 Rated 152) Lorcan Williams (9 ran)
sp

Probable SP 7/4 The New Lion, 2/1 Brighterdaysahead, 5/1 El Fabiolo, 8/1 Alexei, 12/1 Golden Ace, 14/1 Potters Charm, 33/1 Lucky Place.

Symbols Explained

WS Wind Surgery ts2 Tongue Strap vs2 Visor hd2 Hood es2 Eye Shield ec2 Eye Cover cp2 Cheekpiece bl2 Blinkers tt2 Tongue Tie bo2 Blinkers one cowl e2 Ear Plugs p2 Pacifier pc2 Pacifier with cowls ps2 Pacifier one cowl sr2 Shadow Roll co2 Cheekpiece one side sb2 Sheepskin Browband cc2 Cornell Collar xb2 Crossed Nose Band cd2 Course and Distance Winner c2 Course Winner d2 Distance Winner bf Beaten Favourite on Last Run

The superscript number on headgear bl2 indicates number of times worn. A plus bl+ indicates more than 10 times where as red background bl1indicates first time.

Trainer/Jockey In Form last 21 days

Trainer/Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
D Skelton/Harry Skelton
15
40
37

W P Mullins/P Townend
5
17
29

Nicky Henderson/N de Boinville
1
8
12

Nigel Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies
1
7
14

Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell
1
4
25

For Trainer/Jockeys in this race

Trainers In Form last 21 days

Trainer
Wins
Runs
%
D Skelton
16
47
34

Gordon Elliott
10
69
14

W P Mullins
9
37
24

Joe Tizzard
3
14
21

Nigel Twiston-Davies
2
17
11

Nicky Henderson
2
15
13

For Trainers in this race

Jockeys In Form last 21 days

Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
Harry Skelton
17
43
39

Sam Twiston-Davies
7
29
24

P Townend
5
17
29

Lorcan Williams
2
9
22

Brendan Powell
2
28
7

N de Boinville
1
8
12

For Jockeys in this race

NH Trainer Stats for Aintree

Trainer
Wins
Runs
%
Nicky Henderson
74
423
17

Nigel Twiston-Davies
36
301
12

W P Mullins
32
213
15

Gordon Elliott
22
190
12

D Skelton
14
82
17

Jeremy Scott
3
32
9

Joe Tizzard
2
23
9

For Trainers in this race

NH Trainer Stats for Aintree

Jockey
Wins
Runs
%
Harry Skelton
45
293
15

Sam Twiston-Davies
34
306
11

N de Boinville
23
130
18

P Townend
17
89
19

J W Kennedy
9
42
21

Brendan Powell
3
59
5

Lorcan Williams
1
17
6

For Jockeys in this race

Course Form for Aintree

Horse
Wins
Runs
El Fabiolo (FR)
0
2
Potters Charm (IRE)
1
1
Brighterdaysahead (FR)
1
1
Golden Ace (GB)
0
1
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