Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 4m 55.8s

Buveur D'Air²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 167

4/9

With just the one defeat to his name over hurdles (in the 2016 Supreme) there is no doubt that he's a high-class hurdler. Winner of a Grade 1 novice contest here last year, his trainer was quick to curtail his undefeated chasing career to capitalise on a return to hurdling. Won the Champion Hurdle easily as a result, having travelled in very smooth fashion throughout the race. Tries this longer trip for the first time but no reason to believe it will test him.

Form: 4/1131-1

Identity Thief³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Cooper| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 157

14/1

Has some high-class hurdles form to his name including winning the 2015 Grade 1 Fighting Fifth although he's not won over hurdles since then. Started his chasing career this season winning his first two starts both over 2m. Only completed once since those two wins and left with something to prove. Returns to hurdling now for the first time since finishing second in a Punchestown Grade 1 last April although there are no worries over the trip.

Form: 11PU46

My Tent Or Yours^h²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 162

8/1

He might not have won since February 2014 but he's still capable of top class form which he showed recently when yet again finishing runner-up in the Champion Hurdle (runner-up three times in the race). Second in this race last year to Annie Power, although appeared he struggled to stay this distance. That could have been down to the fact that he ran quite freely throughout the race and he'll have to settle better if he's to even take the runner-up slot again.

Form: 332422

Old Guard²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150

25/1

Progressed rapidly as a hurdler in late 2015 winning two top-class Cheltenham handicap hurdles and a Grade 2 at the same track. His chasing career was put on hold after two starts as he returned to hurdles although he's not really been in the same form off tough marks in handicaps. Has found this grade beyond him before and it's expected to be the same story this time around in the face of a stiff task.

Form: 434774

Rashaan⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Flanagan| T: C Kidd| OR: 139

20/1

Consistent and useful hurdler who caused a major shock when winning the WKD Hurdle at Downpatrick in November over 2m defeating Apple's Jade and Petit Mouchoir. Failed to back up that run on his only subsequent hurdles start (won on the AW in the interim) when well beaten in heavy conditions at Gowran Park in February, although he wasn't favoured by the conditions of the race. Not tried over hurdles at this trip before and faces a tough task here at the weights.

Form: 052135

The New One²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 162

11/2

This will be the fourth time that he's appeared in this race his form so far reading 21F, the win coming in 2014. His form at the highest level is very consistent although in true Grade 1 company he's been found wanting of late and his last win in this class came in this very race. Comes here after failing in the Champion Hurdle and it's surprising that connections haven't gone up to 3m in the Liverpool Hurdle. Could find some of these too pacey although he's sure to run his usual game race.

Form: F-12153

Forecasts

Buveur D'Air (4/9), The New One (11/2), My Tent Or Yours (8/1), Identity Thief (14/1), Rashaan (20/1), Old Guard (25/1)

The decision to move BUVEUR D’AIR back to hurdles has already paid off handsomely with his Champion Hurdle win and he could well add another Grade 1 victory over hurdles against a field that lacks depth. Perhaps the only danger is the increased trip that he tries for the first time and it could well be that something like The New One sets out to make this a real test and attempts to draw the sting out of his finish. Identity Thief could well come back to form returned to hurdles with the trip holding no fears but the distance may well be a problem for My Tent Or Yours who was well beaten in this race last year and he’s going to need to really settle to get home.