3.30 2m. 4f. 8 Declared. William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £250,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €140,325.00 2nd - €52,775.00 3rd - €26,375.00 4th - €13,175.00 5th - €6,625.00 6th - €3,300.00 7th - €1,700.00 8th - €900.00 9th - €500.00 10th - €250.00
Formscan - This looks an ideal test for BOB OLINGER and he should take an awful lot of beating. After appearing past his best for a while, he has bounced back in no uncertain terms this season, backing up a couple of Grade 2 wins with a solid second behind subsequent Champion Hurdle hero State Man at the Dublin Racing Festival. Henry de Bromhead's nine-year-old had today's biggest rival Impaire Et Passe five lengths behind at Leopardstown and he can confirm his superiority en route to recording a fourth top-level success. Impaire Et Passe didn't appear to enjoy more forceful tactics in the Irish Champion so it would be no surprise if Paul Townend elects to take a lead on this occasion, although he could have a target on his back, with Rachael Blackmore likely to sit further behind on the selection. Of those at longer odds, Nemean Lion may go forward and surprise one or two.