AINTREE – THURSDAY

We don’t have quite as many runners at the Grand National Meeting as we may have in previous years but there is no particular reason, it’s just the way things have turned out. Some of our Cheltenham horses were never going to come, notably Old Park Star and Act Of Innocence, and the ground is not suitable for some others, notably Manlaga, who did hold an entry in the G1 Anniversary Hurdle but she really does want it soft. Hyland was never going to get into the National so heads to Sandown for the Bet365 Gold Cup instead.

That said, we kick off Aintree with two of our most important runners of the week so hopefully it’s a case of quality over quantity.

2:20 G1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase

LULAMBA (NICO DE BOINVILLE)

He has come out of Cheltenham very well and has the most wonderful constitution; he doesn’t let anything faze him and comes out of his stable bucking and squealing most mornings!

It was always the plan to step him up in trip after the Arkle, had Cheltenham still had the old two and a half novice, he’d have run in there, but that wasn’t an option.

This is a quite a tight track, on quicker ground than he might really like, but hopefully there will be plenty of pace on which will bring stamina into play.

He jumps well and I think it was a muddling sort of race in the Arkle yet he still ran a great race.

This will tell us a lot more, but you’d like to think he could end up a high-class chaser, over even further in time, but this distance is perfect for the time being.

2:55 G1 Bowl Chase

JANGO BAIE (NICO DE BOINVILLE)

I was delighted with him in the Gold Cup and he appears to have come out of in good shape, although one can never tell until they are actually asked to race again, albeit Aintree has come four weeks after Cheltenham which is obviously a big help.

He is only having his fourth start of the season, so you could argue he’s relatively fresh, and he has a good record at the track having won the G1 Formby (over hurdles) a couple of years ago, and was only just behind Impaire Et Passe in the Manifesto last year, when we always knew he’d be a better horse over further.

He’s the most likeable person and I’m looking forward to what should be a great race.

4:05 G1 Aintree Hurdle

LUCKY PLACE (NICO DE BOINVILLE)

He’s yet to really hit top gear this season but has plenty of ability on his day and was hampered late on by a faller at Cheltenham last time. We might look at going back over fences later on, but he jumps hurdles well and can hopefully run into a place; although he faces a tough task at the weights.