2021 Liverpool Hurdle Tips - Hobbs runner can make up for lost Thyme at Aintree

The race before the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday is the Liverpool Hurdle. This Grade One has been won by many of the best staying hurdlers in history, with names like Monet's Garden, Thistlecrack and Big Buck's featuring on the honours boards at Aintree.

I've taken a look through the field and picked out my best betting tips.

A field of 13 will contest this year's Liverpool Hurdle, and it's sure to make compelling viewing. Ten of the last eleven winners of this three-miler came into it on the back of a run at the Cheltenham Festival, and the form line from this year's Stayers' Hurdle could be the most important.

Danny Mullins' enterprising ride on Flooring Porter saw Gavin Cromwell's six-year-old claim a surprise Grade One win. Sire Du Berlais was my selection on the day, so I was disappointed to see the two-time Pertemps winner come up short.

However, at no point did Sire Du Berlais threaten to win that race. Neither did Beacon Edge nor Vinndication, who both travelled into the race nicely before fading out of contention.

Paisley Park, meanwhile, pushed through his usual flat spot and approaching the second-last, I thought he was going to win his second Stayers' Hurdle. Sadly, Aidan Coleman's mount didn't finish off his race, staying on to place third.

I think the lack of a prep-run in January or February really harmed Paisley Park. Emma Lavelle's nine-year-old is a big, gross horse, who improved with each race during his break-out campaign in 2019. I'm sure Paisley Park will come on for that run and he'll be the one they all have to beat at Aintree.

Roksana hit the front way too early in the Mares' Hurdle before eventually finishing third. While I remain a big fan of Dan Skelton's charge, I can't see her upsetting Paisley Park and the other colts at the head of the market.

Lisnagar Oscar fell at the halfway stage as he attempted to defend his Stayers' Hurdle crown, and I don't fancy backing Rebecca Curtis' eight-year-old on the back of that tumble. Third Wind, On The Blind Side and Emitom could all garner each-way support, but I'd be surprised if they were good enough to lay down a challenge.

As I mentioned earlier, Paisley Park is the one to beat, and I think THYME HILL will do just that at the Grand National Festival.

Thyme Hill got the better of Paisley Park - albeit getting a two-pound penalty from his rival - when the two met at Newbury on their first starts of the season. Thyme Hill then looked to have franked that form at Ascot, only for Paisley Park to surge home on heavy ground and pip his rival to the post.

A third clash in the Stayers' Hurdle was then cancelled, after Thyme Hill suffered a muscular injury the week before Cheltenham. Philip Hobbs said at the time that it was only a minor injury, and that doesn't worry me at all heading into Cheltenham.

I think Thyme Hill is the fastest finisher in the field, so he would have been inconvenienced more by the heavy ground at Ascot than both Paisley Park and Roksana. On both occasions Thyme Hill has been repeated, Richard Johson released a cry of frustration as he crossed the line. That suggests to be that Dickie thought he was at fault for those defeats, and it will be Tom O'Brien's task at Aintree to ensure there will be no hard luck stories this time around.