THE NEW ONE looks to be the star turn on the opening day of the Aintree Grand National festival as he faces just six rivals in the Aintree Hurdle on Thursday writes BETDAQ’s JOHN SHERIDAN.
Neither of the top two from the Champion Hurdle, Jezki and My Tent Or Yours, make the lineup in what looks a slightly weaker than normal renewal of the Grade 1 over two and half miles.
The New One, who was badly hampered in the Champion Hurdle, is by far the stand out performer and on paper; it looks a penalty kick for the Nigel Twiston-Davies star.
Both Rock On Ruby and Grandouet revert back to hurdles after a stint over fences this season and Rock On Ruby is unlikely to be seen again over the larger obstacles. Grandouet on other hand will be seen back over fences next term as Nicky Henderson has decided to preserve his Novice status. Both horse are reported to be going well at the moment having schooled over hurdles recently and both trainers are expecting a big run.
Paul Nicholls has two representatives with Irish Saint and Ptit Zig while Willie Mullins is sending over Diakali who was a fast finishing fourth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. Grumeti completes the lineup for Alan King and Robert Thornton.
The other big race on the day is the Grade 1 three mile chase, won last year by First Lieutenant, and the Gigginstown charge attempts to make it two in a row.
Dynaste (pictured) will provide stiff opposition for First Lieutenant having been an impressive winner of the Ryanair Chase last time out and steps back up to three miles.
Gold Cup fourth, Silviniaco Conti reappears once again for Paul Nicholls and Noel Fehily while Menorah represents Philip Hobbs having disappointed in the Ryanair. Argocat is Ireland’s other runner with Houblon Des Obeaux completing the field.
The opening race of the day sees some of the top Juvenile Hurdlers get the festival underway in the Injured Jockeys Fund 50th Anniversary 4 Year Old Hurdle with third and fourth in the Triumph Hurdle, Guitar Pete and Calipto, re-opposing again. Harry Fry’s representative, Activial missed the Cheltenham Festival having been high up in the betting for the race and goes to Aintree with a record of two out of three over hurdles. Fred Winter Hurdle winner at Cheltenham, Hawk High is also among the 15 entries.
Twenty two horses have been declared for the first three races over the famous Grand National fences in the Foxhunters Chase including last year’s winner Tartan Snow.
Big money purchase, Mossey Joe makes his racecourse debut for Barry Connell and is likely to be a warm order to do so having won a point to point impressively last time out.
Second and fourth from last year’s renewal, Cool Friend and Warne both try again in what should be a really exciting contest.
Claret Cloak for Emma Lavelle heads the 17 runners in the Silveer Cross Red Rum Chase which also features previous winner, Oiseau De Nuit and Irish raider Arnaud.
The penultimate race on the card is the Grade 1 Manifesto Novice’s Chase and Arkle winner, Western Warhorse will once again be sporting a hood as he tries for a hat-trick. Although there are only five runners in the field, it is a really decent race with Arkle fourth, Dodging Bullets, the classy Oscar Whiskey and Uxizandre, who was second in the JLT Novices Chase.
In the final race, there is the interesting addition, in the twenty two declarations, in Riverside Theatre, who reverting back to hurdles after a very successful career chasing. This will be Jimmy Nesbitt’s geldings first time over hurdle since finishing third behind Hurricane Fly in Punchestown in 2009 but with a handicap mark 22 pounds lower over Hurdles, connections were suitably tempted to make the move.
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