Alan’s duo are interesting in the mares bumper on Thursday
April 12
Alan might have been on the wrong end of a major upset when Trueshan was beaten at Nottingham today, but at tomorrow’s opening stage of the Grand National meeting he hopes to be the one who pulls off the day’s biggest shock.
Not that Alan is expecting our popular veteran Sceau Royal, who is the complete outsider of the six runners, to floor Champion Hurdler Constitution Hill in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle, but he points out that there is decent prize money for the places.
He said:”We had planned to keep Sceau Royal back for Sandown’s closing meeting, but he came out of his last race at Fontwell so well that we felt it worth having a crack here.
“Constitution Hill is a brilliant horse, but on official ratings Sceau Royal is in the mix with the others. He is proven over this two and a half miles, and he also wears cheekpieces for the first time, which we hope might sharpen him up a bit.”
Alan has won the Aintree mares bumper three times, with Senorita Rumbalita, Avispa and The Glancing Queen, and he mounts a two-pronged attack on this year’s race.
Assessing his chance of making it four, Alan said:”This has been the target for both Baby Sage and Kay Tara Tara, who are two lovely five-year-olds.
“They have done a lot of work together, and there is not a lot between the pair, judged on what I see at home.
“Both are scopey mares who could have a big future when they go over hurdles next season.
“Baby Sage won well first time out at Warwick, as did Kay Tara Tara at Lingfield, but she might have the edge in experience as she learned a lot around Ascot when second under a penalty next time.”
We are also doubly-represented in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Aintree on Friday, with Tritonic being joined by Harbour Lake.
Alan said:”Tritonic looked at Kelso last time as if this step up to two and a half miles was just what he needed. He likes good ground, so the more it dries up the better for Tritonic, who will revert to the Flat after this and has an entry for the Chester Cup.
“Harbour Lake ran well at Kempton last time and deserves another crack at a big handicap hurdle before he switches to fences next autumn.”
Our other runner at Aintree on day two is Call Of The Wild in the conditional jockeys hurdle.
Alan added:”Call Of The Wild is in much better form now than he was over fences at Taunton last time. He is a decent horse when he is right, but he is not a big, robust horse and does not stand a lot of racing, though the vibes have been good at home recently.”
We also look like being in action in the geldings’ bumper at Aintree on Saturday, courtesy of Masaccio.
Alan said:”We won the race with Pangbourne and were also placed with Montbazon, Lidar and Harambe, so, hopefully, Masaccio will be in the mix.
“He was a good second in a Listed bumper at Newbury, and, while this is another step up in class, fingers crossed he’ll run well. The plan is to send him hurdling, too, in the autumn.”
