Aintree Hurdle 2013 - Anniversary Hurdle

2.00 Aintree

Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (4YO only)

Winner £56,270

Advice: 3 pts Irish Saint w/o Rolling Star (5/2 Ladbrokes)

Bob’s World: Was only a fair race that he won – albeit  an all aged one in good style – last time at Sedgefield (heavy) to make it two from three since moving over hurdles, but this a different level and doubt that nature of race around here will suit him all that much.

Flaxen Flare: 25/1 when romping home with the Fred Winter at Cheltenham but looked like a horse who could easily have taken top rank in juvenile division when winning well at Leopardstown on debut (since failed to handle heavy ground/step up up in class); Always been a strong travelling type both on flat and over jumps, and hard not to see this track suiting him down to the ground; Should go well.

Hefner: More than useful on the flat, winning three times from 1m-1m2f (rated 90 by handicapper); Did it in decent style at Huntingdon last month and this far harder on just second jumps start.

Irish Saint: Very good on one and only French start for Guy Cherel and showed that ability on British debut when winning easily at Kempton; Readily beaten by Rolling Star at Cheltenham on trials day but impressive when finding his gear late on to beat that one’s stablemate and reopposing rival Vasco Du Ronceray in the Adonis when giving 3lbs; Missed Cheltenham for this and should take the beating.

Rolling Star: Won only French start in style of exciting horse and confirmed that promise and more when an easy winner in the end over Rolling Star in Grade 2 at Cheltenham; Disappointing when only sixth as favourite in Triumph Hurdle (raced far too keenly early on) but if back to best, must take the beating.

Ruacana: Very decent horse on the flat (rated 89, third in valuable handicap over 12 furlongs); and promising on hurdling debut but gifted Chepstow Grade 1 by last flight drama and unable to land blows on next two starts, beaten 19 lengths by Flaxen Flare in Fred Winter; Opposable.

Runswick Royal: Winner of three of his five starts, bouncing back in good style over hurdles to fulfil debut bumper promise which went astray on second and third starts; This looks a level about that and hard to recommend.

Vasco Du Ronceray: Looked a very useful prospect when hacking up at Hereford on British/Hurdling debut runner-up to Far West here then behind Kashmir Peak and Sametegal at Doncaster and Irish Saint, both times in Grade 2 company (received 3lbs form Irish Saint); Triumph fifth an impressive effort given ground and track were likely to be against him and a threat on this track.

Zamdy Man: Has a lot of ground to make upon his midfield finish in the Fred Winter.

L’Unique: Built on promising Auteil debut in style when deeply impressive in Fillies’ Listed contest here and easy winner at Kempton; Third best but 8 lengths behind Vasco and Irish Saint when they last met and hard to see him reversing that form.

VERDICT: Even with the watering, this is the best ground we’ve had all jumps season to start the National meeting. On all known form, this is a toss-up between Rolling Star and IRISH SAINT, who fought out the finish of the Grade 2 Triumph Trial in January. Rolling Star was an easy winner that day but slightly disappointing when too keen in the Triumph and with the Nicholls inmate having missed Cheltenham for this, he looks to be the marginal pick although the 5/2 him winning without Rolling Star is the safest option with regards to supporting him. Vasco Du Ronceray and Flaxen Flare are the two biggest threats.