Constitution Hill expected to step up in style at Aintree

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Constitution Hill tops the bill on day one of the Grand National meeting as the sport’s pre-eminent star bids to put the seal on a magnificent campaign with victory in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.

There is very little to say about Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old that has not already been said, with six racecourse outings to date yielding six sensational victories.

His 22-length romp in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle suggested Constitution Hill was something out of the ordinary and he has only enhanced his reputation this term by winning the Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle and Champion Hurdle, all with remarkable ease.

He faces an extra half-mile on Merseyside, but his big-race rider Nico de Boinville is unconcerned.

“He’s in really good order, he worked nicely on Saturday and schooled as well, so we’re looking forward to running him again,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“We had the Lambourn Open Day on Friday, lots of people came to see him and he didn’t turn a hair, which was amazing. He’s got a very good disposition and seems to take it all in his stride.

“I don’t think that (two and a half miles) will be a problem.”

Henderson has already raised the possibility of Thursday being the last time we will see Constitution Hill run over hurdles, with a pre-summer schooling session over fences set to take place before connections make a decision on which path he will take next term.

De Boinville added: “We’ll see what comes on Thursday and we’ll go from there, but I think it’s in the back of our minds to at least give it a go.”

Nicky Henderson with Epatante
Nicky Henderson with Epatante (David Davies/PA)

Epatante won last year’s Aintree Hurdle for Henderson and while she was blown away by Constitution Hill at Newcastle and Kempton earlier in the season, she takes him on again in defence of her crown.

Speaking in his Unibet blog, Henderson said: “Everything has gone very well since Constitution Hill’s effortless victory in the Champion Hurdle. I’ve got no worries whatsoever about the step up to two and a half miles and let’s hope he can add to his already impressive CV.

“Epatante is unfortunately bumping into Constitution Hill again which obviously makes it a very tough ask, but she’s recovered well from Cheltenham and has been in good form at home.

“We gave her a nice easy time after the Mares’ Hurdle, so she comes here fresh and happy and won this race last year in fine style.”

Gordon Elliott’s Zanahiyr and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained I Like To Move It also renew rivalry with the red-hot favourite after finishing third and sixth in the Champion Hurdle four weeks ago.

The field is completed by Willie Mullins’ Sharjah and Alan King’s veteran Sceau Royal, who is fitted with cheek pieces for the first time.

“There’s the one standout horse in the race and the rest are pretty much evenly rated,” said King.

“He’s in good form the old boy and I hope he can pick up a bit of prize-money.”

Senor ‘thriving’ ahead of Aintree Bowl task

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Lucinda Russell may have the Randox Grand National favourite but there could be earlier celebrations if Ahoy Senor shines in the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase.

The eight-year-old fell at the 17th fence in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but prior to that won the Cotswold Chase over course and distance in January.

He has shone at Aintree before, winning the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at massive odds of 66-1 in 2021 and taking the Mildmay Novices’ Chase by five lengths at the meeting the following season.

Though the Festival did not go to plan, the racing calendar has fallen in such a way this term that there is an extra week between two big spring meetings – a boon for horses running in both.

“He’s in great form, I’m looking forward to the good ground with him,” Russell said.

Ahoy Senor winning over hurdles at Aintree
Ahoy Senor winning over hurdles at Aintree (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“This looks a tough race, tougher even than the Gold Cup I think, but he’s in good form and we travel with hope.

“It’s been quite handy to have that extra time between the two meetings, he’s been thriving.

“He always seems to go well at this time of year, he’s quite a spring-time horse.”

Paul Nicholls’ Bravemansgame was the runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when last seen, finishing seven lengths behind Willie Mullins’ Galopin Des Champs.

The third-placed horse was a further six and a half lengths behind him and Nicholls was delighted with his performance under Harry Cobden.

Bravemansgame (right) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Bravemansgame (right) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (Tim Goode/PA)

“Bravemansgame ran the race of his life in finishing second in the Gold Cup. It was a hell of a race, as good a Gold Cup as you will see with an end-to-end gallop,” Nicholls told his Betfair blog.

“He was pinpoint accurate at his fences and was the only one to make a race of it with the winner Galopin Des Champs.

“Bravemansgame looks tremendous, has been working really well and there is no sign of his having a hard race at the Festival.

“I’m expecting another big run from him and would argue that if he is not at his best now, I doubt he will be if we wait for Punchestown in two weeks’ time.”

Nico de Boinville will reunite with Shishkin after the duo finished second to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

Shishkin and Nico de Boinville at Ascot
Shishkin and Nico de Boinville at Ascot (Steven Paston/PA)

Nicky Henderson’s charge was the evens favourite for the event and eventually came home two and three-quarter lengths behind the winner.

“I think we were a bit deflated after Cheltenham, although he did stay on really well up the hill,” de Boinville told Sky Sports Racing.

“We’ve tried to work a few things out and he seems to be in really good order at home – he’s been working well and schooling well.

“He was just never happy from the word go (at Cheltenham). He was never really happy and never really jumping and made hard work of it.

“I don’t think you can really question his temperament given the way he seemed to battle on up the hill and everything has been right since then.

Shishkin and Henderson
Shishkin and Henderson (Steven Paston/PA)

“I’m staying nice and positive and when he’s on-song, he’ll be very hard to beat.

“All the ability is there, it’s just a case of bringing it all together.”

Gordon Elliott’s Conflated is one of two Irish-trained runners in the race and heads to Aintree following a third-placed run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The nine-year-old, who is owned by Gigginstown House Stud, was second in the Bowl last season when coming home a length behind Clan Des Obeaux.

Elliott told the At The Races website: “He’s going to run in the Aintree Bowl. It looks a hot race, but he came out of Cheltenham in very good form, and we’re keen to let him take his chance.

Gordon Elliott's Conflated
Gordon Elliott’s Conflated (Niall Carson/PA)

“Maybe he didn’t quite get home in the Gold Cup, but he saw out this course and distance at Aintree very well last year. I think he has a good chance.”

Henry de Bromhead’s A Plus Tard, pulled up when defending his Gold Cup crown, is the other Irish contender in the race.

Jamie Snowden’s Ga Law, who did not meet the criteria for a planned Grand National bid, completes the field of six after a gallant fifth in the Ryanair.

National dream very much alive for The Ramblers

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Most 21-year-olds attending the Randox Grand National on Saturday will be putting on their finery and preparing for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon at Aintree, but things will be slightly different for Cameron Sword.

That is because Sword, a student, is one of seven owners who form part of The Ramblers syndicate, who own the favourite for the big race in Corach Rambler.

Trained by Lucinda Russell, the nine-year-old became just the fourth horse to win the Ultima at Cheltenham for a second time and heads to Merseyside 10lb ‘well in’.

Not surprisingly for someone with youth on his side, Corach Rambler is Sword’s first taste of ownership and he is struggling to comprehend how fortunate he is.

Cameron Sword, Thomas Kendall, Keith Garwood and Gary Scott are four of the seven Ramblers
Cameron Sword, Thomas Kendall, Keith Garwood and Gary Scott are four of the seven Ramblers (Andrew Milligan/PA)

“I got into horseracing through Covid, watching the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National and decided to have a bit of interest,” said Sword.

“I came up to Lucinda’s and Corach Rambler was the only horse for sale at the time. That’s a bit of luck and a bit of fate.

“I joined the syndicate. The horse was bought for £17,000 at the sales and the rest is history – two Cheltenham wins.

“It is my first horse. Mum has been roped in, she’s got a horse now so I can’t see it being the last, that’s for sure.

“There’s four of us in Scotland, one in Ireland, one in London and one in Australia. The age range goes from me to boys in their late 50s and early 60s, so it’s a nice mix.

“None of us knew each other before Corach but as we started to go to races, we started to become friends. We all know each other well now and we’ve shared some really special moments together, which I think build that bond more.”

Sword admits he has allowed his mind to wander to think what could happen, but he is well aware the National is a race like no other.

“It is a dream and if it happened it would be the best day of all our lives, but it is a 40-runner race and there is a lot that needs to go your way,” he said.

“He is a horse that sits at the back of the field so he needs a clear run through.

“If there is a horse that falls and trips him up, that’s the dream over but if we get the luck we need, then hopefully (he can win).

“I will scroll social media and he is starting to get the recognition he deserves. He went under the radar at the Ultima, even though he won it the year before. He is starting to get a bit of respect in the industry, people know his name.

“Lucinda and Scu (Peter Scudamore) have played a blinder. They’ve got the horse 10lb ‘well in’ for the Grand National, back-to-back winners at Cheltenham, it is unbelievable.”

The Ramblers with Corach Rambler after his second Cheltenham win
The Ramblers with Corach Rambler after his second Cheltenham win (Steven Paston/PA)

Sword was also full of praise for the man who – injury permitting – will be in the saddle.

“A big shout-out goes to Derek Fox, too, he is a jockey that doesn’t get spoken about enough,” he said.

“He’s a fantastic jockey and he gives the horse a brilliant ride every time.”

Thirty-year-old accountant Thomas Kendall is another of The Ramblers and he is involved in other horses within the yard.

“I have had horses with Lucinda for a good few years now,” he said.

Thomas Kendall with Corach Rambler
Thomas Kendall with Corach Rambler (Andrew Milligan/PA)

“This one suddenly popped up out of the blue and it is a dream come true to have a horse like this. You don’t expect it.

“This is a level of success which is beyond my wildest dreams and we are sitting here before the Grand National thinking could it actually happen?

“He has earned his place there and we are all looking forward to it now.

“We are going down on the Friday night. There is a big group of us, a lot of my pals who either have never been to the races before, or are seasoned racegoers all going to be there on Saturday.

“We are planning our purple and yellow suits and dresses and all that kind of stuff, so hopefully he will be able to see we are there cheering him on and he will be able to do us proud.

“I don’t like to get carried away with it all, but you look at it standing back and you have to say he has a really good chance.

“He’s 10lb ‘well in’ and I know I wouldn’t want to be running with an extra 10lb on me. I definitely think that is a plus point.

“Clearly he has never been over the fences before and he has never ran that far before, but I think it all points to him having a good chance.”

Scudamore, Russell’s partner and assistant, rides Corach Rambler every morning, and he does confess to feeling the team may be pushing their luck given they won the National with One For Arthur in 2017.

“When I was at Cheltenham and I walked up to the stand, I thought ‘he can’t do it twice’, the luck of doing it twice was beyond real, so I feel a little bit the same about this,” said Scudamore.

“I don’t know. He is a worthy favourite. He has all the attributes to win the Grand National, the rest is what’s sport’s about.”

Brighter shines with debut success at Dundalk

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Brighter could take a step up in class after she overcame her evident inexperience to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Dundalk.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge was sent off a 13-8 chance in the five-furlong contest and after taking an early lead, she had to dig deep for Ryan Moore, drifting right but always doing enough to hold off the 11-8 favourite Vanity Pays by a head.

Brighter was a first winner for sire Ten Sovereigns and she could now tackle the Group Three Fillies Sprint Stakes at Naas.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “Great to get the stallion off the mark. She’s a fine example of the Ten Sovereigns’ progeny.

“Aidan felt she was just ready to start, she will come on a tonne from this. Ryan was happy with her – she was green throughout the run, but she is going to improve a tonne.

“We will probably go to the fillies’ juvenile sprint at Naas in five weeks time. She is a filly to look forward to.”

O’Brien and Moore made it a double on the night as 2-7 market leader Red Riding Hood survived a stewards’ inquiry to lift the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Fillies Maiden.

Having the third start of her career, the daughter of Justify hung across the track in the finish, impeding third-placed Shamwari but her three-quarter-length verdict was allowed to stand.

Armstrong said: “She’s still a work-in-progress, she’s just got to put everything together.

“She will definitely come on a lot for the run, the experience will do her the world of good.

“She could go back to Naas for something like the Naas Oaks Trial in three weeks’ time and try to get the black type for her.

“Once she puts everything together, she will be a nice filly going forward.”

Ici La Reine seeking Nickel Coin crown

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Warren Greatrex’s Ici La Reine will look to add to her unbeaten record in familiar silks at Aintree.

The five-year-old has won both of her starts to date, taking bumper contests on the all-weather at Newcastle in both January and February.

Her Aintree outing will be her first on turf as she steps up to Grade Two level to contest the Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

“She’s come on nicely since her last win, I’ve been very happy with her since,” said Greatrex.

“She’s been away for a racecourse gallop. The two wins she has have been on the all-weather and I thought a bit more experience wouldn’t do her any harm.

“She went very nicely through there, she’s definitely improving and I don’t think what we’ve seen so far is her limit.

“I think there’s more to come and a fast-run race will really suit her.”

Jonjo O’Neill jr will take the ride at Aintree, but conditional Dylan Kitts was aboard for the filly’s two wins to date and Greatrex was heartened by the efforts he had to go to to pull her up.

“In both races she’s won, what I’ve liked is that Dylan has struggled to pull her up both times,” he said.

“There’s plenty left, I think there’s a huge run in her and I’m excited about it. At Newcastle we were only the touching the surface, there’s lots in the tank.”

Ici La Reine is a well-bred daughter of Presenting, related on the dam side to Greatrex’s popular Graded performer La Bague Au Roi – with the two horses niece and aunt in human terms.

La Bague Au Roi was seventh in the same race in 2016 for the same owners and Greatrex considers Ici La Reine a step ahead in her progression comparatively.

“She’s got big shoes to fill but she looks very exciting, at this stage there wouldn’t be a lot between them,” he said.

“This filly would actually be a bit stronger La Bague Au Roi was at this age.

“I’m excited to get her out and I think she’ll put up a good show.”

Derek Fox sits out Ahoy Senor ride in bid to be fit for National

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Brian Hughes will partner Ahoy Senor in Thursday’s Alder Hey Aintree Bowl with Derek Fox still recuperating from injury.

Fox has ridden the gelding in all of his starts under rules but a fall from Rowdy Rustler at Wetherby on April 6 has aggravated an existing shoulder problem.

The ride on Corach Rambler in the Randox Grand National takes priority for Fox, who has therefore opted not to ride Ahoy Senor in order to give himself the best shot at recovery before Saturday.

Speaking to the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, Lucinda Russell, trainer of both horses, said: “Derek had a fall at Wetherby, he’s got a problem with his shoulder and that seems to have flared up again.

“He’s just a little bit sore. Corach Rambler in the National, off the weight that he’s got, that’s the aim for the whole year. I think he’s going to have to look after himself and just get himself right for that race.

Ahoy Senor and Derek Fox
Ahoy Senor and Derek Fox (Tim Goode/PA)

“It does unfortunately mean he won’t be able to ride Ahoy Senor in the Bowl, but we’ve got a very able substitute in Brian Hughes who has actually been in today and schooled him, everything went really well.

“It’s a bit of a shame for Derek but I think he’s doing the right thing and we’ve got to be sensible about it and as I say, Corach Rambler off 10st 5lb in the National has to be his aim.”

Russell and her assistant and partner Peter Scudamore have supported Fox in the decision and the trainer remains positive about his ability to take the Corach Rambler ride – though Hughes has also schooled that horse and could step in should Fox not be fit to partake.

“We’re very close here as a team, we’ve been talking about it the whole way through and it’s a decision that Derek has made that we’ve helped with,” she said.

“Scu and myself have discussed it, we had a long conversation yesterday about it and I think it’s really hard for him. It’s killing him not to ride Ahoy Senor but it’s the right thing to do. It’s a wise decision and I’m right behind him all the way, I support him totally in that decision.”

Donald McCain's Minella Trump
Donald McCain’s Minella Trump (Tim Goode/PA)

She went on: “It has to be said that Brian also schooled Corach over the National fences this morning. That would be a contingency plan but I’m pretty sure in my own mind, I’d say 98.99 per cent sure, that Derek will be riding him on Saturday and that he’ll be fit to do that.”

Hughes will available to ride Corach Rambler if needed as he will not be required aboard Minella Trump for Donald McCain, for whom he is stable jockey.

Theo Gillard is instead booked to ride the horse, a decision made irrespective of Hughes’ status as understudy to Fox on Saturday.

Trueshan returns in Further Flight Stakes

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Top-class stayer Trueshan returns to action in the Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham on Wednesday but Mojo Star is now a non-runner.

Having won the Goodwood Cup, the Prix du Cadran and claimed a second Long Distance Cup in 2021, Alan King’s Trueshan made a successful start to last season in this one-mile-six-furlong Listed contest.

Unsuitable conditions meant he did not run again until carrying top-weight to victory in the Northumberland Plate on the all-weather Newcastle in June, after which he was placed in the Goodwood and Doncaster Cups before completing a Long Distance Cup hat-trick on Champions Day at Ascot.

With the ground in his favour, King is looking forward to getting Trueshan back on the track.

King said: “It will be good to get him started and we’ve been very happy with him at home, but it’s a good renewal isn’t it?

“It looks a good starting point and I’m very happy with him, so we’ll see.

“He’s had a similar programme, so I would have thought he’ll be similar to where he was this time last year fitness-wise. He’s ready to start back, it will obviously bring him on but it will probably bring them all on a bit.”

One returning from a lengthy absence is Nicky Henderson’s Buzz, who won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket and the Ascot Hurdle in the autumn of 2021 but has been off the track since.

Brian Ellison’s Tashkhan has performed with credit in top staying races over the past couple of seasons and makes his first appearance since finishing third behind Kyprios in October’s Prix du Cadran.

Rajinsky (Hugo Palmer), Urban Artist (Hughie Morrison) an Typewriter (Andrew Balding) are the other declared runners.

Betfred unveiled as new Derby and Oaks sponsor

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Betfred has been announced as the new sponsor of the Derby and the Oaks at Epsom.

The bookmaker has been a longstanding supporter of British racing, with their previous sponsorships including the Cheltenham Gold Cup between 2012 and 2015, the Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock and the Ebor at York.

In a three-year deal, Betfred will also support two other races across the two days of the Derby meeting, which this year takes place on June 2 and 3.

Fred Done, founder of Betfred
Fred Done, founder of Betfred (Richard Sellers/PA)

Fred Done, founder of Betfred, said: “I am immensely proud to sponsor the Derby and the Oaks. For me, the Derby remains the greatest Flat race in the world.

“When you look at some of the horses and characters that have won this great race – Sea-Bird, Mill Reef, Nijinsky, Sir Gordon Richards, Lester Piggott and Frankie Dettori – it has an amazing history and I am delighted to become a part of it for at least the next three years.”

Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of The Jockey Club, said: “We’re delighted that Betfred have agreed to be the sponsor of the Derby and the Oaks.

“Betfred’s support of British racing over many years has been superb and we’re proud to be working with Fred Done and his team on its next chapter, to promote these two iconic races on the first weekend in June.”

Blue Rose Cen to return this weekend

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A return to ParisLongchamp for the French 1000 Guineas is the ultimate goal for the Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Blue Rose Cen ahead of her reappearance in the Prix de la Grotte on Sunday.

The daughter of Churchill made a splash for trainer Christopher Head during her two-year-old season, providing the the son of Freddy Head with his first Group One success when striking in style on Arc day.

The filly ran out an impressive five-length winner of the Boussac on her final start as a juvenile and it is perhaps no surprise Blue Rose Cen is heading back to the French capital at the start of her three-year-old campaign, where she will put her Classic aspirations to the test.

“She is very well and had a very nice winter,” said Head.

“Of course we can’t wait to see her on track again and she is doing very nicely. She is still as she was last year, she didn’t change much and she is going to be pretty much the same.

“She is going to return in the Prix de la Grotte.”

Head also hinted a step up in trip could be on the cards for Blue Cen Rose in the Prix de Diane (Chantilly, June 18) later in the season.

However, before stretching out to 10 furlongs comes under consideration, her early-season target remains a further visit to ParisLongchamp for the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches on May 14, where the handler believes she can put her proven qualities to good use on the big stage.

“Her main aim is the Pouliches, the French Guineas,” continued Head.

“To go to the the Guineas is an easy decision because, of course, we actually know her aptitude on the ground and over the distance.

“We will keep a change of distance for the Prix de Diane in mind, but the main goal is very much the Guineas for us.

“I was sure about her distance last year, about 2,000 metres. But she did so well over the mile last year, so we are just going to keep her at a mile until the Diane and then we will change the programme if we are happy.

“We will see, we still have all our cards in hand for now.”

Bravemansgame to run in sole ownership of Bryan Drew

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Bravemansgame has been cleared to run in the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase at Aintree on Thursday.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up was previously owned in partnership by John Dance and Bryan Drew, but the latter is now listed as the sole owner of the eight-year-old.

Dance founded Vertem Asset Management, a prominent sponsor within racing, but that firm is one of three trading names of WealthTek LLP, which was last week ordered to cease trading by the Financial Conduct Authority due to “serious regulatory and operational issues coming to light”.

A spokesperson for the British Horseracing Authority said: “The BHA can confirm that Bravemansgame will be able to take his place in the Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase having been declared in the sole ownership of Mr Bryan Drew.

“We continue to liaise with Mr Dance and relevant authorities regarding the FCA’s ongoing investigation.”