Triumph third to strike for red-hot Mullins
GETTING a very healthy 7lb sex allowance from her male counterparts, ZENTA (2.20) is going to take all the beating in the Jewson Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle run over two miles at Aintree.
This filly obliged at Fairyhouse on her first start for Willie Mullins in February before finishing third in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.
The form of that race received a timely boost when stablemate Gust Of Wind scored at Fairyhouse on Monday. One concern is the form of her stable, as the Closutton genius only sent out four winners on Monday, compared to the eight on Sunday!
All of the five horses who line up for the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase run over three miles and a furlong ran at the Cheltenham Festival less than a month ago, so the 64,000 dollar question is what animal is the freshest after his exertions in darkest Gloucestershire?
It was obvious from an early stage in the Ryanair Chase that SHISHKIN (2.55) was not enjoying himself among horses, and he tried to take every fence home with him. It speaks volumes for his natural talent that he managed to finish second.
I’m sure Nico de Boinville will keep his mount away from rivals this time and the pair landed the two-mile novice hurdle at this meeting two years ago.
The step up in trip looks sure to suit Shishkin, so he is given one final chance.
The last horse to land the Champion Hurdle and the William Hill Aintree Hurdle run over two and a half miles was Annie Power back in 2016, but it will be a huge surprise if CONSTITUTION HILL
(3.30) does not follow suit. Nicky Henderson’s beast has looked on a different planet to his rivals in a trio of stunning victories at Cheltenham, Kempton Park and Newcastle this season, so it’s just a case of who will chase the equine superstar home?
Stable companion Epatante captured this race last year, so at 13-8 she is worth a wager to grab the silver medal and put a large smile on the boat race of her trainer. The mare has twice finished second to Constitution Hill this campaign.
It’s a wonderful sight watching 28 horses attacking the Grand National fences at the start of the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase run over two miles and five furlongs.
One of the best and most experienced jockeys in the race is Will Biddick, who partners FAMOUS CLERMONT (4.05), so this young horse is worth a punt around the 5-1 perch.
On his last spin the eight-year-old was sixth in the St James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase over three and a quarter miles at
Cheltenham last month, where my selection appeared to run out of stamina up the stiff hill.
Before that this sound jumper had rattled up victories at Haydock Park, Wincanton and Larkhill – okay, so it’s the only point course I’ve heard of in England – over shorter trips, so coming back in distance will see this horse in a much better light.
There will be a burn up for the lead in the Red Rum Handicap Chase run over two miles, which will set the race up for a closer like THIRD TIME LUCKI (4.40) to come late and fast to grab the gold.
Dan Skelton’s smooth travelling sort was fourth of 19 in the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month off a ledge of 149, so he should be on the premises here off a lower rating of 148.
The form of that event received a boost when the runner-up Dinoblue obliged at Fairyhouse on Sunday.