AINTREE – THURSDAY

2:20 G1 Juvenile Hurdle

Pawapuri (Nico De Boinville)

She ran very well when put right in at the deep end for her hurdles debut in the Adonis and I think we’ll have lots of fun with her next season. She will have learnt plenty from her run at Kempton but this is a very strong race and if she loses her Maiden status in this, that’s fair enough but if she can put up a decent performance with promise, I’ll be happy.

2:55 G1 Aintree Bowl

Shishkin (Nico De Boinville)

As you all saw at Cheltenham, he ran a funny sort of race in the Ryanair and did well to finish where he did after not really travelling with his usual zest and then making a terrible mistake three out. The step up in trip is what we’ve wanted to do all along and I’m taking the tongue tie off because I wasn’t sure he was really facing it, so hopefully with those two combined he’ll be able to get into a rhythm and enjoy himself; you’ll be able to tell very early on, as we saw at Ascot.

There are only five runners but it is an extremely competitive race and Bravemansgame would be the obvious danger off the back of his excellent effort in the Gold Cup and Ahoy Senor is the only course and distance winner. I’ve been very happy with Shishkin, though, and while he came back from Cheltenham quite stiff, we did give him some muscle treatment and he’s now a very happy horse.

3:30 G1 Aintree Hurdle

Constitution Hill (Nico De Boinville)

Everything has gone very well since his effortless victory in the G1 Unibet Champion Hurdle and the plan was always to come here after that. I’ve got no worries whatsoever about the step up to two and a half miles and let’s hope he can add to his already impressive CV.

Epatante (Aidan Coleman)

Unfortunately she is bumping into Constitution Hill again which obviously makes it a very tough ask but she’s recovered well from Cheltenham and has been in good form at home. We gave her a nice easy time after the Mares’ Hurdle so she comes here fresh and happy and won this race last year in fine style.