There are four fabulous Grade 1 races to kick off the 2024 Grand National festival and the Aintree Hurdle is one of the standout races at 3.30pm and while it won’t see Constitution Hill take his chance in the line-up there are still some top quality performers taking their chance in the 2m 4f contest…
Key Runners
BOB OLINGER
(Henry De Bromhead)
A dual Cheltenham Festival winner, Bob Olinger remains one of the shining beacons of Henry De Bromhead’s yard and the nine-year-old will bid for another Grade 1 crown in the Aintree Hurdle and is extremely popular in the betting. A one-length winner of the Lismullen Hurdle earlier in the season, Bob Olinger then cruised to glory in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham next time out, while he was only beaten by subsequent Champion Hurdle hero State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle. Top class on his day, Bob Olinger is the one to beat here and sets the standard.
IMPAIRE ET PASSE
(Willie Mullins)
A runaway six-and-a-half length winner of the 2023 Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Impaire Et Passe has failed to kick on from that success and he’s been beaten in all three starts this season. However, the Willie Mullins-trained star has bumped into stablemate State Man in his last two runs and his second in the Matheson Hurdle two outings ago is top notch form. He failed to land a blow in the Irish Champion Hurdle last time out, when third, where he was behind Bob Olinger, but a step back up in trip should bring improvement and he could well be a notable thorn, if recapturing some form.
LUCCIA
(Nicky Henderson)
Nicky Henderson had a Cheltenham Festival to forget, but one glimmer of light in the Seven Barrows team was Luccia, who ran a fine race to finish third in the Champion Hurdle. The top notch mare was third in the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National meeting 12 months ago, so will be looking to build on that effort here, but she will need to produce a career best to down proven top notch Grade 1 performers.
LANGER DAN
(Dan Skelton)
Dan Skelton’s Langer Dan retained his Coral Cup crown with aplomb at the Cheltenham Festival, but will now venture out of the handicap sphere and into Grade 1 company, so is going to face a stern test. He made a mockery of his mark of 141 in the Coral Cup, but now into Open company he will have to run to a much higher figure to down some proven top notch hurdlers. He’s entitled to take his chance and does line up in excellent form, but this is a big ask.
NEMEAN LION
(Kerry Lee)
A winner of the Welsh Champion Hurdle at the start of the season, Nemean Lion has continued to blossom over timber for Kerry Lee and added a Grade 2 victory to his CV in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton back in February. Handed the stiff assignment of trying to beat State Man in the Champion Hurdle, Nemean Lion could only finish sixth. The step up in trip could play to his strengths here, but he may just lack the class to deliver the goods.
The Field
There are three other runners lining up and the Henderson team will be doubly represented as former Mares’ Hurdle heroine Marie’s Rock will take her chance, but she’s blown a lot more cold than hot in recent times and will need to bounce back to form. Beacon Edge and Mahon’s Glory complete the octet and both are huge prices to land the prize and look to face a huge task.
Big Race Verdict
With no Constitution Hill, the Aintree Hurdle is a fascinating renewal and while many will fancy Bob Olinger to claim the crown, it’s IMPAIRE ET PASSE that is the value alternative, as he will enjoy the step up to 2m 4f on Thursday afternoon and if he can recapture his best form then he should be able to claim victory here. Bob Olinger should be too classy for the rest of his rivals and can grab the silver medal, while Marie’s Rock may outstay the rest of the field to claim third.
- Impaire Et Passe
- Bob Olinger
- Marie’s Rock
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