DAVY RUSSELL blog: AINTREE THURSDAY

I plan to fly into Liverpool early on Thursday morning ahead of the three days of the Grand National meeting. It’s a very special place and I’ve some magical memories of the place. Obviously, there is no Tiger Roll this year and I’m not yet sure who I will be riding in the big one come Saturday. I’d say it will either be Run Wild Fred or Farclas and it will ultimately be up to Gordon (Elliott) who I ride.

Run Wild Fred was second in Cheltenham and rarely runs a bad race. He was a good second in Fairyhouse last year in the Irish National. Then there is Farclas who has been trained for the race since finishing a good fifth 12 months ago. Either of those two should give me a lovely spin. I’ll be recording some Aintree Zoom Rooms with the lads so keep an eye out for them over the coming days. Onto the opening day of the meeting and I’ve two nice rides to look forward to aboard Pied Piper and Conflated. Here are my thoughts on their chances as well as the other feature races….

THURSDAY

AINTREE

PIED PIPER – 2.20pm (Jewson Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle – Grade One)

I start off aboard Pied Piper (pictured below) in the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle and he is on the back of a really good run in Cheltenham. He wasn’t beaten far behind Vauban in what felt a really good Triumph Hurdle and he has been in grand form at home since. He’d be one that would love the rain to stay away as the better the ground, the better his chance as he’s plenty of speed. It does look a good race though with Brazil looking the obvious danger on paper.

CONFLATED – 2.55pm (Betway Bowl – Grade One)

More Grade One action and this time I partner Conflated in the Betway Bowl. He was in the process of running a nice race behind Allaho in the Ryanair Chase the last day when crashing out at the second last. It was never going to be an easy task to peg back Allaho who got into such a good rhythm from the front. There is no Allaho in this, but there are plenty of dangerous rivals. Protektorat is obviously feared if over his Cheltenham efforts while Kemboy runs well here. My lad stays this trip as he showed when winning the Irish Gold Cup and we will give it a good go.

3.30pm (Betway Aintree Hurdle – Grade One)

No ride for me in the Aintree Hurdle where I’m looking forward to seeing how Zanahiyr gets on stepping up in trip. We have always felt this sort of distance would be perfect for him and I thought he ran a cracker in the Champion Hurdle. Obviously, the mare Epatante looks the one to beat if she stays, but our lad should go very close.

4.05pm (Randox Foxhunters’ Chase)

This looks as fiercely competitive as you might imagine, and you can make a case out for plenty of them. The obvious place to start is Jett for the Waley-Cohens as he looks to have been laid out for the race. He seemed to love the fences when leading the National field 12 months ago before tiring and the drop back to this sort of trip should help him. At a much bigger price I can see Stand Up And Fight going well for Enda Bolger. He’s never been over these fences before but was placed over the banks fences at Punchestown last year and may just warm to it.

Good Luck
Davy

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