Grade One Aintree Hurdle Guide 2023

Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old Champion Hurdler is untouchable over hurdles at the moment, and that should probably continue in the Aintree Hurdle. He made light work of Willie Mullins’ State Man in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month (by nine lengths), who was deemed to be the rival to Constitution Hill for the grade one success and he arrives here unbeaten over hurdles for his first run at Aintree.

He is currently 1/5fav in the market and it would be a huge surprise if he was to lose here. I can only see a Constitution Hill win again against a field of runners he has beaten before, and easily. The 175-rated hurdler should make it seven out of seven here.

Epatante is Nicky Henderson’s second runner in the race (Constitution Hill being the other), the nine-year-old who finished a below-par eighth in the Mares’ Hurdle won by Honeysuckle at Cheltenham last month. She has won numerous graded races in the past, including this contest last year, beating Monmiral by 14 lengths.

Hadn’t been outside of the top three after that run before the Mares’ Hurdle, including a 12 length defeat to Constitution Hill at Newcastle in November in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle and second to the same runner in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, this time by 17 lengths.

Won at Doncaster prior to Mares’ Hurdle but looks set for a role behind the freak that is Constitution Hill here. Worth a bet without Constitution Hill if looking for a betting angle.

Experienced ten-year-old for Willie Mullins who most recently finished fourth of 24 in the County Hurdle on the final day of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival last month, behind Filey Bay, Pied Piper and winner Faivoir. Hasn’t spent much time outside of the top three in the last year or so but lost out to Fil Dor at Gowran Park in February when 4/7fav and has been behind State Man on more than one occasion since winning the Matheson Hurdle in 2021.

May be on the slight decline now as a ten-year-old and it looks unlikely that Sharjah will challenge for victory here. He, like others in this race, is probably racing to finish the best of the rest behind Constitution Hill.

Very experienced 11-year-old for Alan King who is probably past his best at this type of level, finishing second in grade two hurdle outing behind Brewin’upastorm at Fontwell in February on his latest appearance over hurdles. Was a long way back in fourth in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton behind Highway One O Two, Epatante and Constitution Hill in December.

Would be a shock winner for King who has Daryl Jacob onboard the gelding, and he can be dismissed amongst top runners here.

Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old Zanahiyr arrives at Aintree on the back of finishing third behind State Man and Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle last month at Cheltenham, a good run considering he has been a long way away from his best in the last year or so and he was priced at 66/1 for the 2m contest.

Hadn’t finished in the top three since coming third in the Champion Hurdle last year, but tested positive for a prohibited substance in the aftermath of that race. Unlikely that he will win here but can get back on track and finish in the top three if continuing on from that run at Cheltenham last month.

Nigel Twiston-Davies sends one to the Aintree Hurdle in the form of I Like To Move It, who finished sixth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, falling away towards the end when asked to quicken. The likes of State Man, Constitution Hill and Vauban were too quick for him and the same may happen this time around. He won the Kingwell Hurdle in February at Wincanton but looks vulnerable at this level against grade one winning hurdlers.

Also finished 18th in the County Hurdle last year, where Sharjah finished fourth this year and looks out of his depth here and can be dismissed.