Aintree preview: Hi Cloy tries to repeat his memorable 14 to 1 victory of last year in this afternoon's Aintree feature but despite having ideal conditions, Michael Hourigan's star looks to face a major task in attempting back-to-back successes.
Fota Island chased home Hi Cloy 12 months ago but he is out lame and also out of the £200,000 John Smith's Melling Chase is the former champion chaser Newmill who has picked up a stone bruise. "We noticed it on Wednesday night after declaration and it was there again this morning even though we've had it poulticed. Fingers crossed, we can get him right for Punchestown," said Newmill's trainer, John Murphy.
However, both the ground, the trip and the course are absolutely perfect for Hi Cloy who ran better than his final position of sixth might indicate in the Ryanair at Cheltenham.
Even with Newmill's intended rider, Andrew McNamara, now free, Davy Russell will still get the leg up today but while so much looks to be in Hi Cloy's favour, there is also the factor that the Hourigan string have been in less than flying form all season.
Nevertheless, Hourigan said: "I thought he ran quite well in the Ryanair and the level Mildmay course seems to suit him a lot better than Cheltenham."
There remains the suspicion, however, that this renewal of the Melling is a better one than last year with Well Chief bidding to atone for his disastrous early exit from the Champion Chase. The trip will also be no trouble to the Pipe runner but with a horse with his history of leg problems, this quick going can hardly be to his advantage. Instead the value option could well be the Ryanair winner Taranis who holds the likes of Hi Cloy and Monet's Garden on that bare form.
Taranis threw a huge leap at the last fence that day and although, Our Vic was closing, Ruby Walsh insisted afterwards that his horse was idling in front.
Of today's total of 10 Irish-trained runners, four take their chance in the Topham over the big fences and the best of them could be Eoghan O'Grady's On The Net, a proven winner on good ground and a good second to In The High Grass at Gowran in preparation for this.
Newmill's stable companion Knowledge Box is the sole Irish runner in the Grade One Sefton Novices Hurdle where the Cheltenham festival winners Wichita Lineman and Massini's Maguire have their fourth clash of the season.
Massini's Maguire was a gallant winner of the Ballymore Properties last month and this tight, flat course might suit him better.
Selections
2.00Ungaro
2.35Massini's Maguire
3.10Taranis
3.45On The Net
4.20Enforce
4.55Reveillez
5.30Fiddling Again
