Six horses to note for Aintree who didn’t run at the Cheltenham Festival

Banbridge

Manifest Novices’ Chase, Thursday, April 13

A late absence from the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival due to rain-soaked ground, Banbridge will be heading to Aintree with strong claims of breaking through to a Grade One company, having already proven himself to be a very bright newcomer.

Banbridge, who was coached by Joseph O’Brien, was last seen second at the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown in February when he gave his best after last time out to clear the post 10 lengths behind eventual Arkle winners El Fabiolo and Passing the path he shaped there suggests that a return to others will be very much in his favour.

The Manifesto Novices’ Chase – a two-and-a-half mile run – seems an obvious target for Aintree and that raises the prospect of an quality fight with Jonbon, who is also poised to increase the distance after defeating El Fabiolo over two miles well found Cheltenham.

comfort zone

Jewishon Anniversary 4-YO Juvenile Hurdle, Thursday April 13

The Triumph hurdle at Cheltenham was dominated by Willie Mullins as he saddled home the top four but O’Brien could be the trainer to watch in this race with two youngsters missing the Festival, viz comfort zone and Nutret.

Nusret showed improved form to win the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton last time out, but he still has plenty to find in Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings to match the level of stablemate Comfort Zone, who finished it off with a determined win over hurdles managed three of four at the Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham in January, where he led the final 100 yards and won by three quarters of a length over Scriptwriter.

That was a useful achievement and Comfort Zone is certainly worth trying at the highest level given its scope for further improvement. He was ruled out of the triumph at Cheltenham due to a minor setback but his form was at least given a boost there when Lossiemouth – who were six lengths down from Comfort Zone when they succeeded at Fairyhouse in December – pulled out an impressive winner.

Clan des Obeaux

Aintree Bowl Chase, Thursday April 13th

No horse has ever won three repeats of the Bowl Chase at Aintree, but that could change this year Clan des Obeaux is bidding for the hat trick and trying to top it off as doubles winners Wayward Lad (1985 and 1987), Docklands Express (1993 and 1994), First Gold (2001 and 2003) and Silviniaco Conti (2014 and 2015).

Admittedly, Clan des Obeaux have had less than ideal preparation heading into Aintree this year compared to their successes in 2021 and 2022. A tendon injury has kept him on the sidelines since he finished second behind Allaho at bottom this year’s Punchestown Gold Cup and it will be an incredible training effort from Paul Nicholls if he can get this 11 year old ready to run to his best class after a nearly 12 month hiatus.

However, Nicholls will no doubt enjoy the challenge and Clan des Obeaux, who have ridden some of their best races after a break, are clearly very effective in these conditions as they seek a sixth Grade One win of their career and an historic third in this contest .

Fakir d’Oudairies

Marsh Chase, Friday April 14

Like Clan des Obeaux, Fakir d’Oudairies will be looking for a piece of history at Aintree as he attempts to win the Marsh Chase for a third straight year. Again, it’s something that has never been done before, although Viking Flagship (1995 and 1996), Direct Route (1999 and 2000), Native Upmanship (2002 and 2003), Moscow Flyer (2004 and 2005) and Voy Por Ustedes ( 2008 and 2009). ) all won the race twice.

Fakir d’Oudairies had better preparation at Aintree than Clan des Obeaux, although recovering from an underperforming run last time out at Ascot Chase. Seen off as the favorite to repeat his 2022 win in that race, he appeared to be struggling for some reason and eventually overtook the post 23 lengths behind winner Shishkin.

A place ahead of him at Ascot was Pic d’Orhy – who also skipped Cheltenham to keep fresh for this race – but Fakir d’Oudairies will certainly be a match for this rival if he arrives here on a good day. Seems he’s been around a long time, but he’s still only eight and O’Brien’s standard-bearer with Banbridge, Comfort Zone and company in a strong Aintree team.

champion

JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle, Saturday 15th April

Another in green and gold silk by JP McManus, champion is already in the veteran phase of his career at the age of 11 but he could still have at least one more big day at Aintree as he has had a good break since an underperforming in the rescheduled Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Champ has an excellent record when fresh and showed he retains plenty of skill when he successfully resurfaced at the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November and dug deep to deliver judgment around a Paisley Park neck, after putting in a good canter throughout.

There hasn’t been a standout among the remaining hurdlers all season and Champ is likely to have as good a chance as anyone at the Liverpool Hurdle if he finds his best form after a four-month hiatus, especially having avoided a tough race at Cheltenham – unlike many of its potential rivals.

Capodanno

Randox Grand National, Saturday 15 April

A rookie who was awarded Grade One in the last season, Capodanno Probably wouldn’t have looked out of place at the Cheltenham Gold Cup but trainer Willie Mullins had already won that race with Galopin des Champs and he is now aiming for a second Grand National success after Hedgehunter’s in 2005.

Capodanno has made just one appearance so far this season when he was beaten to third place nine lengths behind Janidil (whom he allowed 9lbs) due to an insufficient drive in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park last month. This outing should have blown the cobwebs away and he’s shaping up like a horse that has more to offer as its stamina continues to build.

This coupled with his very intelligent beginner form suggests Capodanno could achieve a good mark (160) for the National and Mullins certainly has a strong hand with Gaillard du Mesnil and Mr Incredible, both of whom ran well at Cheltenham and are also increasing his seven include entries.

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