Aintree best bet: Mistergif ready to emerge from stablemate's shadow in Top Novices’ Hurdle

14:55 - Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle (2 miles 103 yards)

The reputation of short-priced favourite Mystical Power has preceded him this season, and all the hype seems to have been justified after landing the odds in each of his first three outings before falling just short in last month’s Supreme Hurdle when he was outpowered by Slade Steel up the Cheltenham Hill.

 

Planet Sport Bet: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Mystical Power wins by over 5 lengths, get a £5 Free Bet!

 

The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old has sound claims again but his short price seems prohibitive in light of the quality of his closest market rivals, of whom Firefox spearheads the challenge.

However, we're plumping for the second Mullins entry in the shape of Mistergif, who has come on literally in leaps and bounds since being acquited by the master of Closutton following a modest early career in France.

The five-year-old hit the ground running for his new connections when landing a 14-runner handicap on stable debut at Limerick in January, and Mullins had no qualms in pitching him straight into the Supreme Hurdle at Cheltenham, where he was far from disgraced in finishing fifth of 11 high quality novices.

There could be plenty to come from this emerging talent, and of particular interest is that Paul Townend is taking Mistergif's reins for the first time, especially if the jockey was given first pick of his yard's two entrants and swerved the favourite.

Suggested bet: Mistergif each-way in the 14:55 at Aintree

• Tip advised by TC's Punts on Tipstrr

 

Top Novices’ Hurdle last 5 winners

• 2023 Inthepocket 3/1F
• 2022 Jonbon 1/1F
• 2021 Belfast Banter 9/1
• 2019 Felix Desjy 7/2
• 2018 Lalor 14/1

 

READ MORE: Friday ITV racing tips: Best Bets for Aintree on April 12