Grand National Festival: Gangster to call the shots in Sefton Novices’ Hurdle

David Metcalf | April 7, 2016

Gangster can gun down rivals in Sefton Novices’ Hurdle

Gangster failed to live up to expectations last time out but with the ground coming in his favour can bounce back to land the Grade 1 Doom Bar Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree (16.40).

The gelding was bought by the Gigginstown House Stud following two runs in France, and made a winning debut for champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins when easily landing a minor contest at Roscommon last June.

Gangster then disappointed when sent off odds-on at Galway and finishing just fifth, but showed that running to be all wrong when slamming After Rain by eight lengths at Listowel on his final start last season.

Despite the ease of the success, the six-year-old looked far from the finished article and the type that would do much better once he strengthened up and filled into his frame.

Fairyhouse win oozed class

That view was confirmed when Gangster took the step up into Grade 3 company in his stride to make a winning return to action over 3m at Fairyhouse.

After being settled behind the leaders, Gangster made smooth headway to take up the running two from home before surging clear to beat Last Encounter easily by 10 lengths.

It was a most taking performance which marked Gangster out as a very exciting prospect.