The first day of Aintree’s Grand National meeting is upon us and Thursday’s action is headlined by the Aintree Hurdle.
One of the leading hurdle races in the British calendar, the Aintree Hurdle has gone the way of many of the sport’s greats.
It carries a purse that totals £250,000 as the field of eight go in search of big-race glory over two and a half miles in Liverpool.
Clive Gildon provides his analysis on the feature as well as some other selections on day one of Aintree’s flagship meeting, where they race from 1.45-5.15, with the Aintree Hurdle itself due off at 3.30.
3.30 - Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m4f)
There is no Constitution Hill in the Aintree Hurdle this year, while State Man is staying at home. We have an open race on our hands and the two who head the betting, Bob Olinger and Impaire Et Passe, can be unreliable.
Bob Olinger has failed to scale the heights racing fans hoped for a few years back, but despite this has enjoyed a good season at a lower level. This has been his main aim and he possesses more class than every runner with the exception of Impaire Et Passe, who was so impressive in last season’s Ballymore at the Cheltenham Festival.
He hasn’t kicked on from that yet and it might be worth siding with one at a bigger price on the testing ground, which may not necessarily see Bob Olinger and Impaire Et Passe to best effect.
Nemean Lion is a mud-lover and, although he didn’t run much of a race when sixth in the Champion Hurdle last time, two miles is sharp enough for him over jumps nowadays and they went too slow in a race that simply didn’t play to his strengths.
The longer trip on a slow surface is what he wants and, providing this improver isn’t over the top after a hard campaign, Nemean Lion can upset the better established stars with trainer Kerry Lee so good at placing her horses in the right races.
2.55 - Bowl Chase (Grade 1, 3m1f)
It is undeniable that Gerri Colombe is the class horse in the Bowl Chase and his second to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup last time was a top-class performance.
However, Gordon Elliott kept him fresh for that target and there is little doubt the race could have left a mark with a four-week turnaround looking sharp enough.
The Bowl wasn’t the priority for Gerri Colombe, while second favourite Shishkin is unreliable and the health of Nicky Henderson’s string is up in the air.
The market is giving too much respect to Corbetts Cross and the bet has to be Gentlemansgame, the outsider of the field whose form is better than Corbetts Cross’.
Mouse Morris made it clear that Gentlemansgame missed a couple of early season engagements, so his pulling up in the Gold Cup (stiffest test he has encountered) on his first start since November is forgiven.
There is every chance the Gold Cup has brought Gentlemansgame forward and perhaps Morris, an excellent target trainer, has prioritised the Bowl over slightly shorter instead.
With just four runs in chases Gentlemansgame remains deeply unexposed. The reapplication of a tongue-tie need not put off punters as he has produced plenty of top performances when sporting that aid in the past.
4.05 - Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (2m5f)
Annamix, who is the highest-rated horse in the Foxhunters on BHA figures, must have a great chance in this amateur riders’ cavalry charge.
This horse was favourite for the Supreme a few years ago and never lived up to that billing, but still reached a high level for Willie Mullins and returning to the National fences might just see him to best effect.
He took to this unique test superbly when third in the Topham two seasons ago under a big weight (only horse in the first nine carrying more than 10st 8lb) and arrives here following an easy dismissal of Early Doors at Gowran Park last month. That represents fair hunter chase form in the context of this race, and he should be tough to beat dropping down in trip on this speed-favouring track under leading amateur Patrick Mullins.
It’s On The Line is expected to give Annamix the most to think about. He bumped into one when a good second in the Cheltenham Festival’s equivalent event four weeks ago, and a young improver trained by Emmet Mullins with formlines that put him bang there is always going to be worthy of the utmost respect.
4.40 - Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (2m)
This Red Rum doesn’t stand out as a vintage running and a chance is taken on Sans Bruit for title-chasing Paul Nicholls. The fact he is not ridden by Harry Cobden should not deter punters as 10st 2lb is a low enough weight for the top rider to slim down for.
Sans Bruit only ran ten days ago in a warm-looking Chepstow contest. He was run out of things by a rapid improver late in the day. For a first chasing start for this stable, that has to go down as an encouraging effort from Sans Bruit and Nicholls’ decision to back him up so quickly is quite interesting.
On the pick of his French form he is well treated off 130, having finished seventh in an Auteuil Grade 1 hurdle over a trip that stretched his stamina last May with good horses like Asterion Forlonge and Flooring Porter in behind.
A strongly-run two miles on slow ground appeals as Sans Bruit’s ideal conditions and Bryony Frost can make the most of her only ride on the card.
Black Gerry is another interesting contender at a big price for Gary Moore, who landed this in 2021. He also only ran 10 days ago (resurgent second at Plumpton in what was his best run of the campaign).
That suggests he is coming nicely to the boil and his capacity to stay further, along with a penchant for testing conditions, make him a player off a low weight.
