ROR would be max ew bet with 3 places. 7 is tricky but his blogge fancies him
AINTREE HURDLE (3:25 AINTREE – THURSDAY 9TH APRIL 2015)
April 7, 2015 · by sampreen · in aintree, grade 1, hurdle, national hunt. ·
Now we head for the smaller obstacles, it’s the Aintree Hurdle. The race lost it’s shine with the late withdrawal of the almighty Hurricane Fly, but a few horses still stand their ground. Here’s the field…
Arctic Fire
Winless in almost a year, landing a novice hurdle as easy as Mullins odds on shot should, and was beaten in a photo on the flat at Killarney, a week or so later, then disappointed in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, last November. Surprised everyone when he was staying on well for third in the Ryanair Hurdle behind the Fly, and played the bridesmaid in the Irish Champion Hurdle, behind him once again, then was apart of Willie’s 1-2-3 in the Champion Hurdle itself, surprisingly finishing ahead of the Fly and getting within a length and a half of Faugheen. Capable of going well.
Arctic Fire
Arctic Fire
Blue Heron
A distant third to Faugheen in the Christmas Hurdle, but had his moment int he sun, when forging clear to spring a surprise in the Kingwell Hurdle, seeing off Irving by 6 lengths. He’ll be fit and ready for this, but faces stiff competition, and ideally would like the ground a bit softer.
Jezki
Oh, Jezki… gave me a profitable Cheltenham when he won the Champion Hurdle, and has since locked horns with the Fly in every start since, beating him in the Racing Post Champion Hurdle, but the Fly was at his brilliant best int he next three starts, and even finished ahead of him at Cheltenham, where Jezki had no answer for the Mullins trio, and connections could offer no explanation to his poor run. Headgear left off, which is a surprise.
Melodic Rendezvous
Highly regarded in 2013/14, but went off the boil on his final three starts over hurdles,and though he had a promising start to his chasing debut, he couldn’t go the pace at Exeter, and was well beaten at Kempton in Feburary. Out of his depth, back at this level.
Rock On Ruby
Grand old 10 year old, who finished runner up in this last year to The New One, and would’ve probably finished down the field in the Elite Hurdle, if not for Irving tipping up at the last, though he was back to his brilliant best when upped in trip, landing the Relkeel Hurdle, and a simple Class 2 Hurdle on New Years. Slightly offputting he missed a crack at the World Hurdle, after scoping dirty, but he will be clear of antibiotics, and should be fit and ready to go one better.
Rock On Ruby
Rock On Ruby
Vaniteux
Picked up two races in 2013/14, and was a staying on third to Vautour in last year’s Supreme, but had to settle for second fiddle on his next three starts at Cheltenham, including when finishing two and a half lengths behind Rock On Ruby, and ran as his priced suggested in the Champion Hurdle, his fate sealed early on by diving at the first hurdle.
Volnay De Thaix
Running in the silks made famous by Punchestowns, Volney De Thaix has conditions to suit, but has yet to strike at top level. He plugged on for fifth in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle here last year, won a handicap at Huntingdon on his seasonal debut, and was only one paced in the Fix Brush Hurdle. Looked as if he was bouncing back to form, back down in trip at Cheltenham (two and a half lengths second to Rock On Ruby), and had a short lived effort in the Coral Cup last month. This is tougher.
Conclusion: Another 7 runner event, which spoils the fun for each-way backers. Arctic Fire could get his head in front after some surprising efforts, but is much too short in the betting, for me personally, whereas I’ve followed Jezki off the proverbial cliff this season, and he heads here with a sound defeat under his belt, with no excuses for his poor run. Though the headgear is left off, which is a surprise, he still has a bit to find with Arctic Fire, so I’ll be siding with ROCK ON RUBY, for the Fry’s, who are still on cloud nine after their Grade 1 win over the weekend.
He showed the fire was still burning at two starts at Cheltenham, and missed the Festival itself after scoping dirty, with this beat the next aim. Beaten a head by The New One last year, he was in fine form until news broke of him missing Cheltenham, and had he ran well there, would be much shorter for this.
