SUNDAE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH
SUPASUNDAE (3.25) can enjoy a super afternoon in the Betway Aintree Hurdle on the opening day of the Grand National meeting.
Jessica Harrington’s eight-year-old has developed into a fine staying hurdler, having finished second in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham to Penhill last month.
Prior to that run Supasundae caused a shock result when taking the scalp of former Champion Hurdler Faugheen in the Grade One Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown over two miles.
He outstayed the Willie Mullinstrained superstar up the run-in to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths.
Second at Aintree last season to Yanworth over three miles, he can go one better this afternoon over 2m4f under Robbie Power.
He will come under threat from Nicky Henderson’s three-time Champion Hurdle runner-up My Tent Or Yours, who goes well when fresh, and The New One, who has taken well to long-distance hurdling.
Stayed
BALNASLOW (4.05) must have a great chance in the Randox Health Foxhunters’ Chase over two miles and furlongs of the National course.
He stayed on well when a length and three-quarters second behind Dineur in the race last year and with top amateur Derek O’Connor in the saddle again he can make amends for trainer Graham John McKeever.
On The Fringe may be getting on in years but the winner in both 2015 and 2016 can still be in the shake up – even at the age of 13.
Out of sorts when pulled up in this race last year, the old-timer ran a decent race at Cheltenham behind Pacha Du Polder.
With no Altior to contend with in the JLT Melling Chase tomorrow, the improving BALKO DES FLOS (3.25) can score another Grade One victory in what looks a head-to-head with Min from the Willie Mullins yard.
The Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old outgunned Un De Sceaux at Cheltenham, handing out an emphatic four-and-a-half-length drubbing in the Ryanair Chase.
He travelled well throughout that day and with a decent pace expected he can out-muscle Min, who had no answer to Altior in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival.
The seven-year-old Min tries two and a half miles for the first time since winning a low-key affair at Gowran Park against two average rivals last November.