Rest of Aintree

The rest of the Aintree card is also extremely high class and starts with the Grade Two novice hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 14.45 CET, which sees the return of several horses that ran well at Cheltenham. Spirit Son (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) ran really well to be runner-up in the Supreme Novices, but although Cue Card (Colin and Joe Tizzard) finished behind him then, we hope to see the form reversed over this longer trip. The only 4yo Sam Winner (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) was 4th of 23 in the Triumph and is also not out of it.
Peddlers Cross won that race last year and today he is one of the favourites in a star-studded field for the Grade One Aintree Hurdle over the same distance at 15.50. On any other day this would be the highlight of the card as it has a wonderful field, headed by 2010 Champion Hurdle winner Binocular (Henderson/ McCoy) and Peddlers Cross (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire), Oscar Whisky (Henderson/ Geraghty) and Thousand Stars (Willie Mullins/ Katie Walsh), 2nd 3rd and 4th in this year´s version. That was Peddlers Cross´ first ever defeat and he can get back on the winning trail today, although a Binocular in top form would also be hard to beat.

The Grade One novice chase at 15.15 could also go to the Henderson stable with Finians Rainbow (Geraghty), who ran a great race at Cheltenham, but we hope to see German-bred Ghizao (Nicholls/ Walsh), a big disappointment then, run much better this time. Starluck (Alan Fleming/ McCoy) was the best of these over hurdles; he has not been so convincing over fences, but if he can get his act together had a definite chance here.

The race after the Grand National is reserved for amateurs and conditionals, to give the pros a chance to get over their exertions and enjoy their champagne. It is a handicap hurdle over 2 miles and very open with 21 runners. Once again the Henderson and Nicholls stables are strongly represented with Eradicate (David Bass) and Tito Bustillo (Ryan Mahon) respectively, but the on to beat here has to be Plan A (Gordon Elliott/ Nina Carberry), whose jockey is far and away the most experienced rider in the race.