Curtain up for the Grand National Festival

Aintree, Thursday, 7 April: The famous Grand National Festival starts today at Aintree near the city of Liverpool. Among the first highlights is the Bowl Chase (3rd race/15.55pm/250,000 pounds/5020m). Clan Des Obeaux (Harry Cobden) won the match last year and has the best chance to defend his title. However, he will face Eldorado Allen (Brendan Powell) and Royale Pagaille (Charlie Deutsch), who recently crossed the line well ahead of the ten-year-old in the Denman Chase (Group 2). Also a tough opponent is Protectorate (Harry Skelton), who finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (Group 1), and Kemboy (Paul Townend), who ran well enough when fifth in the Irish Gold Cup (Group 1) to make a good showing here.

Second Group 1 race of the day is the Aintree Hurdle (4th race/16.30pm/250,000 pounds/4020m) with Epatante (Aidan Coleman) in the role of favourite. The eight-year-old from Nicky Henderson`s quarters sold magnificently during the Cheltenham Festival in the Champion Challenge Trophy (Group 1) behind the unlosable Honeysuckle, confirming her previous victory in the Christmas Hurdle (Group 1) over Glory And Fortune (Stan Sheppard), ahead of whom Zanahiyr (Jack Kennedy) finished a good third at Cheltenham. Brewin`upastorm (Sean Bowen) made up for unfortunate running in the Relkeel Hurdle (Group 2) with good results and, like Monmiral (Harry Cobden) who won the Juvenile Hurdle (Group 1) here a year ago, is in contention for a top finish.