The first fields of Aintree‘s Grand National meeting have been declared. Day one of the festivities in Liverpool is on Thursday 9 April, with four Grade 1s to savour.
The main event is the Grade 1 Aintree Bowl Chase. It is effectively the April equivalent of the Gold Cup, with five horses declared, including Jango Baie for Nicky Henderson. The seven-year-old was a game second in the big race at Cheltenham behind runaway winner Gaelic Warrior. He is favourite to go one better here.
Two wily veterans in Pic d’Orhy and Protektorat will be in opposition, though his more intriguing rivals arrive from Ireland. Impaire Et Passe flopped in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month. However, he beat Jango Baie in novice company at this meeting last season and now steps up in trip.
Spillane’s Tower runs here as opposed to the Grand National too. Jimmy Mangan’s charge missed the Gold Cup on account of quick ground though, so may not be a guaranteed runner even after his declaration. He won the Cotswold Chase earlier this season.
Champion Hurdle vanquished head to Aintree Hurdle
The second, third, fourth and fifth to Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle will seek compensation in the 2m4f Aintree Hurdle.
Brighterdaysahead finished a game second at Cheltenham behind her fellow mare. That was comfortably her best run yet a Cheltenham and she has a comfortable win at Aintree on her CV. Narrowly behind her at Prestbury Park was The New Lion, who steps back up in distance for the Skeltons. Fourth-placed Alexei, who made a blunder at the last in the Champion Hurdle, has also been declared by Joe Tizzard.
Golden Ace was defending champion at Cheltenham but could only manage fifth. She is another going up in trip, while El Fabiolo, Lucky Place and Potters Charm round out a competitive field.
Lulamba on middle distance trail
After finishing third in the Arkle, Lulamba will race over 2m4f for the first time at Aintree. Nicky Henderson’s charge made a howling error at the penultimate fence at Cheltenham and could not live with the finishing kick of Willie Mullins’ duo Kargese and Kopek Des Bordes.
However, Lulamba has long been touted as a horse who will appreciate further. He will now get the chance to demonstrate that at the Grand National meeting. His opposition includes Koktail Divin, who was sixth in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. He could be a livewire back in distance for Henry De Bromhead.
Blueking d’Oroux skipped Cheltenham for Paul Nicholls, who often does well at this meeting. He heads the British-trained trio in opposition, which includes Jax Junior and Mambonumberfive.
Maestro and Minella bid for belated triumphs
Triumph Hurdle second and third Maestro Conti and Minella Study run in the opening race of the meeting. Both have been declared for the 4-Y-O Anniversary Hurdle. They found Willie Mullins’ debutant Apolon De Charnie too strong up the Cheltenham Hill.
Another Closutton runner in Selma De Vary was not far behind them at Cheltenham. Mullins runs her again here, while Mange Tout missed the Triumph Hurdle and will reappear here for Gordon Elliott.