News Mission accomplished for Black Op at Aintree

Mission accomplished for Black Op at Aintree

racing

Cheltenham Festival runner-up Black Op went one better with a determined display in the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

Tom George's charge found only the much-heralded Samcro too strong in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Prestbury Park and was a 3-1 shot to claim Grade One glory on Merseyside, with Cheltenham absentee On The Blind Side the 11-8 favourite.

Black Op travelled powerfully throughout the two-and-a-half-mile contest in the hands of Noel Fehily and hit the front early in the home straight.

Lostintranslation emerged as a huge threat after the final flight and briefly nosed to the front but after a stirring battle, Black Op passed the post half a length to the good.

The previously-unbeaten On The Blind Side was under pressure some way out and ultimately proved disappointing.

Fehily said: "He's a tough horse. I was in front far sooner than I wanted to be and he was really tough on the run-in to battle back.

"His run at Cheltenham was fantastic against Samcro. We all know what a great horse Samcro is and he ran a great race to finish second to him. He deserved to win a big one."