Honesty Policy

Honesty Policy was good in winning the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Saturday. Held up back in the field early on by Mark Walsh, the early pace was not strong, which was not ideal. Honesty Policy travelled well into the home straight, but a mistake at the second last flight, just as the pace was increasing, was inopportune, and his rider had to get after him at that point. Only fifth as they left the second last behind them and still only fourth as they rose at the last, Gordon Elliott's horse showed a really good attitude to pick up as well as he did on the near side, getting to the leader Regent's Stroll about 50 yards from the winning line, and going on to win by a cosy half-length in the end.

It was a fine performance by JP McManus' horse, coming from the rear in a race that was run to suit the prominent racers. He was faster than all his rivals through each of the last two furlongs, recording a finishing speed of over 108% of overall speed. Gordon Elliott has a fine record in this Grade 1 race, this was his fourth winner of it on the spin, and there is no knowing how high his latest winner can go. He is only five and this was just his fourth run over hurdles. He handled this goodish ground well, but he won his maiden on soft to heavy ground, so it looks like he is versatile in terms of ground conditions. Second in his only point-to-point for Pat Doyle, he could be an exciting novice chaser next season, but he will be of interest if he goes for one of the Grade 1 novice hurdles at Punchestown, probably the two-and-a-half-mile contest on the Friday.

Aintree, 5^th April 2025