Aintree stages it's first
meeting of the new Jump season this Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28,
with the first day's seven-race card featuring the £65,000 Grade Two Betfred
Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase (3.30pm) over two and a half miles.
The limited handicap has
been won by some star names including dual Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kauto Star
(2006) and three-time Cheltenham Festival winner Albertas Run (2011).
This year's renewal has
attracted 19 tremendous entries headed by the Paul Nicholls pair Poquelin
and second-season chaser Pacha Du Polder, who won the Grade Two Future
Champions Novices' Chase on his final start at Ayr last season.
Noble Prince, trained by Paul Nolan,
is a likely representative for Ireland and could clash again with Philip Hobbs'
Wishfull Thinking, whom he beat into second when they clashed in the
Grade Two Jewson Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2011.
Last season, Noble Prince
won on his reappearance at Naas and then took second place on his next three
outings including in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase behind
Big Zeb before disappointing on his final start in the Ryanair Chase back at
Cheltenham.
Nolan, who trains in Co
Wexford, said: "All being well between now and then, Noble Prince is a
likely runner in the Betfred Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase.
"He has had a few
niggling problems but he seems fine and hopefully we have him reasonably fit
enough for his first run. We are pleased with him and he will come on for the
run but he is in good form.
"When you are second
a few times in a row like he was last season it can get a bit frustrating and
disappointing but at the end of the day when you move up to that class it can
be hard to make the next step from being a novice.
"Unfortunately, he
found Big Zeb too good for him on a couple of occasions and he was very
disappointing at Cheltenham but when he came back out of it, he was injured, so
hopefully we have him right and he won't have any repercussions from that
injury.
"He is definitely
better on better ground and he has no chance against the Irish stayers on
ground as it is at the moment. In most places it's virtually bottomless and
that's why we are going over to Aintree. You never like going across the pond
needing a run but he is a straight as we can get him for his first run.
"It's one step at a
time with him at the moment but he will have to take on the better horses and
we just hope he stays in one piece and pays his way through the season. If he
could pick up a win or two it would be great."
Other notable entries in
the Betfred Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase include 2011 Grade One totesport Bowl
winner Nacarat and last season's Grade Two Peterborough Chase victor Gauvain,
who could have his first start for Hobbs.
High-class novice chaser Notus
De La Tour is one of two possibles for David Pipe, while Nick Williams
could saddle For Non Stop.
The race is run in honour
of three-time winner and Aintree specialist Monet's Garden for the second year
and the great grey will be parading before the race named in his honour.
One of the most popular
chasers of recent times, Monet's Garden etched his name into Aintree folklore
with three sensational victories in the Grade Two limited handicap chase in
2007 (beating Kauto Star), 2009 and 2010 and also triumphed in the Grade One
John Smith's Melling Chase and the Liverpool Hurdle at the John Smith's Grand
National meeting.
The card also includes the
£20,000 Betfred Mobile Sports Veterans' Handicap (2.25pm) Chase over an
extended three miles. Among the 10 entries is Peter Bowen's progressive chaser Mumbles
Head, dual Scottish Grand National hero Merigo, trained by Andrew
Parker and 2010 John Smith's Grand National fourth Big Fella Thanks, now
with Tom George.
The first race is at
1.50pm.
Matalan Family Fun Day on
Sunday, October 28, is geared towards the younger generation with a number of
exciting activities off the track including the chance to meet Peppa Pig, a
medal craft workshop, pony riding and grooming, face painters, ride like a
jockey and dance classes with MDI.
The day has a fancy dress
competition with both children and adults encouraged to dress up as their
favourite sporting personalities of 2012.
Aintree will also host its
first edition of the M-Factor which invites the younger generation to show off
their talents and skills in front of a panel of judges for a chance of winning
a £2,000 prize, made up of £1,000 cash and £1,000 worth of Matalan vouchers.
The seven-race card on
Matalan Family Fun Day, with the first race scheduled at 1.10pm, is headlined
by the £20,000 Wetherbys Hamilton Bloodstock Insurance Handicap Chase (3.25pm,
19 entries) over two miles and it could see the return of classy novice chasers
Kumbeshwar, trained by Alan King, and Nicky Henderson's Kid Cassidy.
The card also features the
£16,000 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (2.50pm) and the 21 entries include Alan
King's Grade One John Smith's Sefton Novices' Hurdle hero Lovecen.
GOING
The going at Aintree is
currently GOOD TO SOFT.
Aintree's Clerk of the
Course, Andrew Tulloch, reported today: "We are forecast a dry week, with
temperatures set to become cooler by the weekend.
"I am delighted with
the condition of the track - it is looking in great shape and everyone here at
Aintree is looking forward to getting back racing again."
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