Intermediate trip sets up fascinating clash between Epatante and Zanahiyr

Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) | 4yo+ | 2m4f | ITV/RTV

Britain v Ireland has been one of the running themes of the season and British-trained runners probably exceeded expectations at Cheltenham last month. However, Irish horses dominated the hurdles by winning nine of 13 races and Zanahiyr bids to continue that dominance in this Grade 1.

He isn't one of the Irish stars, though. In fact, he is no more than an Irish nearly horse and his defeats at the hands of Honeysuckle and Sharjah (twice each) this season prove that. In contrast, his big British rival Epatante is a winner whose strike-rate reads 8-13 over hurdles.

Epatante and Zanahiyr both played nearly horses at the Cheltenham Festival and in the same race too. Honeysuckle was away and gone when Epatante and Zanahiyr fought out a mighty battle for second place but it was the British horse, Epatante, who got the better of the duel.

On what they both have shown, Epatante is a better horse than Zanahiyr. She wins more often, is equally consistent and has 3lb in hand on RPRs if you include her mares' allowance.

So why are they sharing morning favouritism? I priced this up and made Epatante evens favourite. That is solely based on what both runners have achieved, though, and the reason Zanahiyr is alongside Epatante in the market is because people expect him to do a lot better.

He is three years younger than Epatante and, possibly more importantly, shapes like he will improve for a half-mile longer trip, while many argue Epatante is the opposite and a more natural two-miler. So what did their Champion Hurdle runs tell us about who will stay best?

The sectional times published on racingtv.com would point to Epatante being the stronger stayer of the two in that race. Epatante ran the final half-mile of the Champion Hurdle in a time 0.38secs quicker than Zanahiyr and was going away from him at the line.

It may not be wise to take that too literally. After all, Epatante was held up and ridden to finish and Zanahiyr raced closer to the pace, but it does suggest Epatante will have no problem getting the extra distance at Aintree, a flat track, and she may even improve for it.

The flat track is ideal for Brewin'upastorm, while Monmiral also likes it at Aintree. They have the two best pieces of course form on offer, but Brewin’upastorm slightly edges it having won over course and distance in November and finished fifth in this race last year.

Monmiral's course win came in the Grade 1 hurdle at this meeting last year but, like Zanahiyr, his chance probably hinges on him improving plenty for the extra half-mile.

Guard Your Dreams, Glory And Fortune and McFabulous complete the line-up and Paul Nicholls fits McFabulous with cheekpieces in a bid to sharpen him up. The champion trainer has a 26 per cent strike-rate with horses in that aid for the first time since the start of last year.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

'This is his Gold Cup' – Murphy

The Aintree Hurdle pits the Champion Hurdle second and third, both of whom are stepping up in trip by the best part of half a mile on any race they have run in this season, against a distance specialist kept fresh for the occasion. It should make for a fascinating clash.

That specialist is Brewin'upastorm. But for a fall at the last in the Relkeel Hurdle and a flash of heads in the National Spirit, he could be coming here four from four this season and, as his trainer Olly Murphy acknowledges, "this is his Gold Cup".

Since finishing fifth in the race last year, when nothing quite went right, all roads have led back to this moment for the nine-year-old. On Racing Post Ratings his four runs this season all rank in the top eight in his career – including two of the top three – and Murphy is optimistic his patient approach can topple the big two.

Brewin'upastorm: won over course and distance in NovemberCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's in really good form and I'm looking forward to running him," he said. "He was very good over course and distance earlier in the year and we missed Cheltenham to keep him fresh for this – this is his Gold Cup.

"Nothing went right for him in the race last year and he never got in a rhythm. He can throw in the odd bad run and it was frustrating, but hopefully the smallish field suits and there are a few doubtful stayers in the race so we're really looking forward to it."

What they say

Tom Lacey, trainer of Glory And Fortune
He's in good nick and we go with hope rather than expectation. He hit the line very hard at Cheltenham and you just wonder if he'd benefit from a step up in trip.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Guard Your Dreams
He surprised everyone at Cheltenham in the International Hurdle, so let's hope he can do it again.

McFabulous: trainer Paul Nicholls fits him with cheekpieces for the first timeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Paul Nicholls, trainer of McFabulous and Monmiral
It's an open-looking race. Last year Monmiral was the highest-rated juvenile in Britain and Ireland, and this year it hasn't worked out. He got injured during the Fighting Fifth and spent a month at the vets. It was a rush to get him back and the only race to prep him for this was at Fontwell. He travelled well and just got tired from the back of the second-last. He's done a month's hard work since then and I'd like to think he'll be much sharper. McFabulous should have been chasing but it didn't work out because he was a bit late starting. Two and a half will suit him better than three miles. He's rated 150, which puts him in the mix, and hopefully he can run a tidy race.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Zanahiyr
He's been consistent at the top level all season and I thought it was a career-best from him in the Champion Hurdle. I think this sort of trip will be right up his street and he seems to be in good form since Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Epatante
She ran a great race at Cheltenham. This is her first try at two and a half but I don't see that as a problem as two and a half around Aintree is not the same as Cheltenham and she stays two miles around Cheltenham very comfortably. I'm hoping it won't be an issue, in which case she's in very good form.
Reporting by Stuart Riley

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