RACING/Aintree preview: The Grand National's capacity for delivering a dramatic storyline remains unmatched and this time it looks like it could be kicking in even earlier than usual.Racing Correspondent
A dire weather forecast of high winds and blizzard conditions for parts of northern England before the weekend is not what the racecourse authorities, or indeed people trying to transport horses to Liverpool, will have wanted to hear yesterday.
Hedgehunter is as low as 7 to 1 in some quarters to win the race his trainer Willie Mullins values above all others and there is unlikely to be an earlier arrival for the cross-channel ferry in Dublin this morning.
"We are going to try and travel in the morning and I think we should be alright. Still any forecast for wind is a worry," said Mullins yesterday. "But if the ferries are out there is always the option to fly."
Certainly, once he gets there, no one will be checking out the Aintree ground more intently than Mullins as he believes Hedgehunter's chance will be greatly improved by soft ground at the course.
"That would be an advantage to us and less of one to others. But despite all the forecasts the ground there is still good which is why we are running Rule Supreme in the hurdle rather than in the Betfair Bowl on Thursday," Mullins added.
That Betfair Bowl, formerly the Martell Cup, is the €150,000 highlight on day one of the festival and while First Gold tries for a third win in this rather than going for the Grand National, the Grade Two pot doesn't look quite as strong as in previous years.
Jim flies the Irish flag and although he is in fine form the Dreaper-trained horse might still be slightly out of his depth against the likes of First Gold and Grey Abbey.
The latter was eventually allowed take his chance on unsuitably fast ground in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and in the circumstances did well to finish fifth to Kicking King.
If the forecast showers do arrive at Aintree then Grey Abbey's chance of conceding 10lb to First Gold and Crystal d'Ainay, who has chasing form in his native France, will only increase.
The Irish tally at the festival last year was a winner a day and the Mullins team look like providing the best chances of the visiting team hitting the score sheet this afternoon.
Rule Supreme emerges as the form choice in the Long Distance Hurdle on the evidence of the World Hurdle at Cheltenham but Aintree's flat track and tight turns might not be ideal for the ultra-versatile nine-year-old.
Tumbling Dice, who overcame a lot of problems to run third in the Coral Cup, presents an interesting Irish alternative but the conditions possibly favour Martin Pipe's Korelo more.
Mullins picked up the big Cheltenham bumper with Missed That and the Co Carlow trainer has an interesting contender for the Mares Bumper today with Lady Accord who won her only race to date at Thurles less than a fortnight ago.
Ruby Walsh takes the ride and the fact she comes here rather than wait for Punchestown is an encouraging sign.
The first race of the week over the big fences is the Foxhunters which includes seven Irish hopes.
Never Compromise, if he takes to the unique course, could go very close against the likes of the former Triumph winner Katarino who has a history of wind problems.
Mouse Morris's Cheltenham winner Fota Island has been upped significantly in the ratings for that Grand Annual success and on soft ground there should be significant improvement to come from L'Ange Au Ciel in the Red Rum Chase.
Paul Nolan's Dabiroun is another Irish festival winner to try to follow up but the Grade One Hurdle looks like being suitable compensation for the Triumph runner-up Faasel.
SELECTIONS
2.00 KORELO
2.35 GREY ABBEY
3.10 FAASEL
3.45 NEVER COMPROMISE
4.20 L'ANGE AU CIEL
4.55 MEPHISTO
5.30 LADY ACCORD (Nap)
Double: LADY ACCORD and MEPHISTO
