Former stars to clash at Aintree in retrained racehorses National Championships

A Cheltenham Gold Cup hero and July Cup winner are among the former runners set to compete at the Jockey Club Retraining of Racehorses National Championships at Aintree.

The event, the largest European contest for retrained racehorses, begins on Tuesday and will feature several former top-level stars, including Coneygree, who became the first novice to win the Gold Cup for more than 40 years in 2015.

Five-time Grade 1 winner Thistlecrack is also among the 280 entries, as is Limato, who landed the July Cup and Prix de la Foret in 2016.

The championships include classes in showjumping, arena eventing and showing, with the event culminating in the Elite Performance Awards on Saturday.

Last year's winner Minella Rebellion will return to defend his showing title under Katie Dashwood, with the former Nicky Henderson-trained gelding also claiming success at the Horse of the Year Show and Royal International Horse Show.

Coneygree: 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner heads to AintreeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Di Arbuthnot, chief executive of Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), said: "For many of our members the Jockey Club RoR National Championships are among the highlights of their year.

"For them, the early mornings and cold starts in the winter and the travelling to local shows in a bid to qualify for Aintree are all worth it when they get here and have the opportunity to compete on a national stage.

"It is now seven years since RoR's first national championship show and in that time it has grown and evolved significantly, but without losing its aspirational qualities.

"In terms of protecting the welfare of retired racehorses, building a pyramid of classes and competitions to encourage participation is just as important as our equine welfare safety net, which ensures expert care is provided for any horse needing charitable support."

The event will have national dressage championships for the first time this year, which will feature 2011 Queen's Vase winner Namibian, who represented Great Britain at para-dressage with Julie Frizzell.

Away from Aintree, more retrained racing stars were in action on Saturday, when General Principle and Seainin Mahon defeated former stablemate Tiger Roll and Arkle winner Douvan at the Dublin Horse Show.

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