Santini
All things considered SANTINI ran a blinder in the RSA Chase. Nicky Henderson's big, burly son of Milan arrived at Cheltenham with just two Chase runs under his belt, having missed an intended crack at the Reynoldstown at Ascot due to needing a flu jab. He then had all sorts of trouble the week before The Festival, turning out lame in the morning on two seperate occasions. Whilst his trainer was said to be "totally happy" with Santini's injury, or lack of, on the day of the race, there can surely be no denying that the preparation was far from ideal. Santini was beaten at the Festival last year before going on to win at Aintree and here's hoping he and his recent conqueror Topofthegame turn up for a mouthwatering Mildmay in Liverpool next month!
Abolitionist
ABOLITIONIST might have been pulled up in the Pertemps but he jumped and travelled with real enthusiasm for much of the way and this bodes really well ahead of a tilt at the Grand National. He has been sent to his National winning trainer with this race, and only this race, in mind – indeed Dr Newland admitted his whole season would be tailored around the Aintree showpiece, and his spin in the Pertemps will have blown off any cobwebs ahead of next month. If he jumps Aintree's unique fences anything like he did Cheltenham's hurdles then he should relish the test and it's too early to write him off after an effort from which there were more positves than negatives.
Dr Richard Newland says his promising new horse Abolitionist is likely to head to the Becher Chase before he starts thinking about the Grand National #LuckOnSunday pic.twitter.com/ImbEcs9tiF
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 11, 2018
Supasundae
Unlike 2018, the Stayers' Hurdle was run at a really good clip this year with Sam Spinner taking it up from Nautical Nitwit down the back and ensuring that, if beaten, it wouldn't be for speed. As it was only Paisley Park was able to grind past him but SUPASUNDAE ran a massive race in defeat. Having travelled sweetly, he jumped the second last in fourth and briefly looked like he might challenge for the lead as he switched out from behind Sam Spinner and Faugheen halfway up the straight. As it was he didn't appear to find much off of the searching gallop and quickly weakened but, assuming all was well, we wonder if he might return to England for the Aintree Hurdle, a race in which he finished second last year. The trip would be more suitable and with no L'Ami Serge (and likely better ground) this time around, he could even be the one to beat in Aintree's two and a half mile contest.
Paisley Park stormed home to record a fairytale success in the Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Read our report on https://t.co/A8az1MHRCF which includes a full replay plus interviews with winning connections. ⬇️https://t.co/AeulhhWv3J pic.twitter.com/ehJRIhIHtw
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 14, 2019
Minella Rocco
The inclusion of MINELLA ROCCO on this list might seem strange at first but it's worth remembering it's just over a year, and only five runs, since the now 9yo was fourth in a Grade 1 Chase. He ran with plenty of zest at Exeter two starts back (watch it if you haven't) to indicate that the ability remains and he's clearly another that has been targetted at the race. Unibet Champion Hurdle Day was a day when soft ground horses flourished and it should be noted that Minella Rocco missed both last year's Gold Cup and last year's Grand National because of the ground so there's enough reason to think Jonjo O'Neill's charge, who once fought off Native River to land the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, would be of serious interest at Aintree if the race is run on a sound surface. He didn't have a hard race at this year's Festival and that is another postive.
Minella Rocco is a non runner in today's Cheltenham Gold Cup due to the ground.
— Jonjo O'Neill (@JonjoONeill) March 16, 2018
MINELLA ROCCO confirmed as a non-runner in tomorrow's #GrandNational because of the ground. It looks like he will be replaced by THUNDER AND ROSES
— Bill Esdaile (@BillEsdaile) April 13, 2018
Glen Forsa
The final horse who we think is of serious interest to bounce back at Aintree is GLEN FORSA who could well line up for the Maghull or Manifesto. Mick Channon's charge has been a revelation this season but unseated early in the Arkle. He didn't have a hard race due to his early exit and he can confirm the promise of his Sandown showing at Aintree, where he would especially be of interest if taking on the one-two from the JLT over two and a half. The time figure he acheived at Sandown would have put him right in with a chance in either the Arkle or the JLT and this shouldn't be forgotten. He remains unexposed and can jump his rivals into submission, at a likely bigger price than them, if getting into a rythym at Aintree. If you thought he was the best British Novice Chaser over a shorter distance going into Cheltenham then there's no reason why he still wouldn't be going into Aintree…..
