The Irish team for next week's Grand National festival at Liverpool continues to gather strength with the news that Asian Maze is set to take her chance in the Aintree Hurdle. Brian O'Connor, Racing Correspondent, reports.
Trainer Tom Mullins has indicated he will aim his star mare at the big race and reports he is happier with her now than before the Cheltenham festival.
Asian Maze was a faller in the Champion Hurdle and had to miss the World Hurdle just two days later because of the lingering effects of that fall.
"She got a kick in the neck at Cheltenham but it's all fixed now so it won't be a problem," he said of the mare who was a Grade One winner over three miles at Liverpool last year.
"I would imagine that two and a half miles should be perfect. She was at her most impressive when winning over that distance at Punchestown last year," he added. "I'm far happier with her now than I was going to Cheltenham. If he's available Ruby (Walsh) will ride. If he isn't Paul Carberry will."
Reports indicate that Asian Maze may end up tackling the former dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace who could yet make a quick reappearance after his gallant third to Brave Inca at Cheltenham two weeks ago.
"It's possible he could go if the ground is good," said trainer Dessie Hughes. "He has come out of Cheltenham very well and as he has not had much racing this year, we may as well make the most of it."
One horse that missed Cheltenham is Church Island who had to be taken out of the SunAlliance Chase at the last minute because of a muscle problem. He could race next, however, in the Mildmay Novices Chase over an extended three miles.
Niall "Slippers" Madden is looking forward to the Grand National where he will be on board last year's Irish National winner Numbersixvalverde. With Ruby Walsh on Hedgehunter, 20-year-old Madden has come in for a big opportunity to shine across-channel.
"I think Liverpool will suit the horse. He's got plenty of experience from those big field handicaps in the past and he will enjoy the hurly-burly of the race," Madden said.
"It's a big opportunity for me and I can't wait. You hear all the talk about these Aintree fences but I'm going to take it as it comes.
"My father and other people have told me the important thing is to keep your nose clean and stay out of trouble on the first circuit. After that anything can happen," he added.
Paul Nicholls has confirmed that Kauto Star will miss next week's Grade One Melling Chase at Aintree.
The two-and-a-half-mile contest had been mooted as a target for the six-year-old after his unfortunate fall at the third fence in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham festival. However, Nicholls has decided to sidestep that event in favour of a possible outing in the Betfred Celebration Chase at Sandown on April 29th.
Meanwhile, Chepstow will hold a precautionary inspection at 7.30am today to see if the course is raceable after last night's forecast rain.
The one thing lacking at Thurles today will be fences as the chase course is unraceable. With the bumper divided, it looks to have made things a little easier for the Francis Flood mare Blanchfield whose third to Hairy Molly at Naas looks particularly good now.
Tommy Stack and Wayne Lordan made a flying start to the flat season at the Curragh on Saturday and there was enough in Disclosure's two starts as a juvenile to suggest the opening auction maiden will be well within his grasp.
Michael Kinane is a significant booking for Thunder Road in the following handicap while the soft ground-loving Kilmannin should be in his element in the final handicap.
