Brighterdaysahead and The New Lion are poised for a rematch at Aintree on Thursday.
The William Hill Aintree Hurdle is one of four Grade Ones on the opening afternoon of the Grand National meeting, and plenty of attention will be on Brighterdaysahead (Gordon Elliott) and The New Lion (Dan Skelton) after they were second and third respectively to Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Adding further interest is the presence of Alexei, who was fourth, and Golden Ace, who was fifth in the defence of her Festival title.
Nicky Henderson has entered Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie in the Racing Welfare Bowl Chase over an extended three miles, as he as Jonbon, who was second in the Ryanair Chase last month.
The Jimmy Mangan-trained, JP McManus-owned Spillane’s Tower – who remains a possible for the Grand National – has been given the engagement, with Skelton represented by Grey Dawning and Protektorat.
Henderson’s Arkle third Lulamba is in the William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase, while the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle promises to be a cracking affair, featuring Triumph Hurdle second Maestro Conti for Skelton and third home Minella Study for Adam Nicol.
Selma De Vary was fourth and tries again for Willie Mullins, with Faye Bramley’s fifth-placed Lord Byron another in contention.
