Aintree Hurdle test for Peddlers Cross
Donald McCain’s star turn Peddlers Cross ran a huge race to fill the runner-up spot behind Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, while last year’s champion Binocular had to miss the race after being treated for an allergy.
Binocular’s trainer, Nicky Henderson, has also entered Champion Hurdle third Oscar Whisky and Zaynar.
McCain could saddle the front-running Overturn, while Willie Mullins’ sole entry is Thousand Stars.
Other interesting contenders include County Hurdle runner-up Get Me Out Of Here, the Paul Nicholls-trained Celestial Halo and Pat Rodford’s smart mare Sparky May.
Khyber Kim, Oscar Dan Dan, Ronaldo De Mottes and Salden Licht complete the possibles.
Nicholls revealed Master Minded is set to be his sole representative in Friday’s John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree – with Poquelin an unlikely participant. Poquelin was a slightly disappointing fourth when sent off favourite for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.
“It took Poquelin a good week to get over Cheltenham, which leads me to think that he wasn’t at his best there. He could go to Cheltenham next week or maybe we will wait for Punchestown,” said Nicholls.
Alan King is debating whether to let Cheltenham Festival winner Bensalem take on the big boys in the totesport Bowl at Aintree on Thursday.
The eight-year-old landed the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase at Prestbury Park, avenging a luckless defeat in the same race 12 months earlier.
King must decide whether to let his charge compete against the likes of Gold Cup second Denman, or line up in Saturday’s John Smith’s Handicap.
