Bello Conti stands out on form
The mare is unbeaten in nine runs since joining the Willie Mullins team, and made light of her task in beating her rivals in the mares’ hurdle at Cheltenham.
In theory this is a big step up in class, but there are doubts about her rivals, and has the profile of an improving sort who could go very close to the top in this sphere.
On form Champion Hurdle runner-up My Tent Or Yours is the one to beat, but he looked a tired horse when finishing a well-beaten second behind Annie Power over two and a half miles at Aintree.
While the drop back in trip will aid his cause, the week has reminded us how difficult it is for horses which have been to both Cheltenham and Aintree, let alone those which have been to both meetings on the back of almost two years on the side-line.
That in mind, Identity Thief may be the one to push the selection closest. While his best form suggests he would be better on a softer surface, he has progressed rapidly in the last 12 months, and a small field seems to suit. A clean round of jumping should ensure he goes close.
The nap goes to Bello Conti, who stands out on form in two-mile novice hurdle. Willie Mullins’ five-year-old made a winning start for the stable in December and, given his lack of experience, ran a superb race to finish fourth behind Yorkhill in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
He took a small step forward from that when filling the same place but finishing closer behind the same horse at Aintree. While the concern about the three festivals shouldn’t be underestimated, he is lightly raced this season, open to considerable improvement, and this race represents a considerable drop in class.
Fire In His Eyes is an intriguing rival, but the biggest danger may come from within his own stable, in the shape of Koshari, who is a four-year-old coming from France with a win under his belt. Market support would be significant.
Although Tony Martin’s team hasn’t been firing on all cylinders, Marinero can take the two-mile-five handicap chase.
The Gigginstown gelding was a very smart sort over hurdles, and could have progressed further in that sphere had he been left over the smaller obstacles.
But he has had his attention switched to chasing and, while he hasn’t sparked in three runs, now looks very well handicapped, 10lbs lower than his hurdle mark. His three chase outings were on testing ground, and the return to a sounder surface should prompt improvement. He has a tremendous chance in what may not be as competitive a race as looks on paper.
