BARRY GERAGHTY has a live shout of notching the second Grand National of his illustrious career on Tricky Trickster this afternoon but he will also relish the opportunity of getting back on board Zaynar in the Grade One Aintree Hurdle.
The last time the Irish jockey rode the grey was when they were beaten at 1 to 14 odds by Quwetwo at Kelso and not surprisingly on the strength of that Geraghty elected to desert Zaynar in the Champion Hurdle.
However, while he struggled on Punjabi at Cheltenham, Zaynar showed how much benefit he got from that Kelso farce and ran a stout third to Binocular and Khyber Kim.
The latter is among today’s eight runners while the Champion fourth Celestial Halo is also back for more.
However, neither is likely to derive as much benefit from the half-mile longer trip than Zaynar.
Arguably his most impressive career performance to date came at Ascot in November when sauntering to a six-length defeat of Karabak on good ground which encouraged Nicky Henderson to try and squeeze a peg laden with stamina into a speed hole.
Stepped up from two miles, Zaynar can set himself on the road to an encounter with Big Buck’s on the World Hurdle trail next season.
Today’s other Grade One sees four Irish hopes among the dozen runners including Osana who ran a fine third to Sizing Europe and Somersby in last month’s Arkle at Cheltenham.
This ground around this track, however, might be quick enough for Edward O’Grady’s former Champion Hurdle runner-up.
Instead Irish hopes may be better served elsewhere with See U Bob, who is part-owned by the former Agriculture Minister, Ivan Yates, holding each-way claims alongside last summer’s prolific winner Archie Boy.
Paul Flynn’s horse returned to action with a good run over hurdles at Naas recently and should thrive on the drying conditions.
Donald McCain looks to have a potential superstar with Peddlers Cross who impressed with his Neptune triumph at Cheltenham.
Victory in the Grade Two opener would be an understandably popular one for the son of Red Rum’s trainer, Ginger, and Peddlers Cross looked good enough at Cheltenham to overcome any concerns about an Aintree “bounce”.
Nicky Henderson runs both Au Courant and Wogan in the Listed handicap chase and preference is for the latter who looked to win with something in hand at Doncaster last time out.
BRIAN O’CONNOR’S SELECTIONS
1.45 Peddlers Cross
2.15 Archie Boy
2.50 Zaynar (nap)
3.25 Wogan
5.00 Issaquah
5.35 Don’t Turn Bach
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