Song For Someone to face top-class rivals in Aintree Hurdle next Thursday

Trainer Tom Symonds says he is relieved the decision was taken to skip the Champion Hurdle with Song For Someone after witnessing Honeysuckle's breathtaking performance and he is excited to test his stable star over two and a half miles in the Betfair Aintree Hurdle next Thursday.

The six-year-old was one of 13 entries for the Grade 1 contest on the opening day of Aintree's three-day Grand National meeting.

The top-class field includes dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air, Relkeel Hurdle winner McFabulous, his subsequent National Spirit conqueror Brewin'upastorm, and Morgiana Hudle winner Abacadabras, who could make the step up to two and a half miles for the first time.

Aintree Thursday entries

Song For Someone was last seen in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, where he was beaten 22 lengths by Goshen, but Symonds believes that was not his true running and is looking forward to getting him back on track.

He said: "Looking back at Cheltenham I think, thank God we did skip it because Honeysuckle looked unstoppable on the day. At Wincanton he didn't run up to the horse we know but the ground was pretty grim. I think he struggled to get into the race once Goshen went off in front but he stuck at it and still put a lot of distance between himself and third.

Song For Someone was well beaten behind Goshen at Wincanton last time outCredit: Bill Selwyn (Getty Images)

"We've built up to this since and it will be interesting to see how he gets on over a true two and a half miles on better ground because I wonder if we might see a better horse for it."

He added: "This race will make a huge difference to what we decide to do with him next year, whether it's to stay hurdling or go over fences."

Symonds also provided an update on Song For Someone's owner Sir Peter Gibbings, whose ill-health before Cheltenham dictated the decision to miss the festival.

He said: "Peter is doing as well as could be expected and we had to respect their privacy when things were changing in his life. Thankfully he's come through that and is still hopefully looking forward to watching his horse next week and it will be thrilling for his wife Lady Gibbings to be in attendance as well."

The three-day meeting kicks off with four consecutive Grade 1s and Tiger Roll has stolen the headlines after his connections confirmed their intention to run him in the Grade 1 Betway Bowl, where he could face the likes of Clan Des Obeaux, Native River and Waiting Patiently.

Past winners of the Grade 1 Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle include Defi Du Seuil and Apple’s Jade, and Triumph Hurdle second and fifth Adagio and Tritonic could bid to add their names to that list this year. The unbeaten Paul Nicholls-trained Monmiral is an eyecatching entry having skipped Cheltenham.

Tritonic: one of nine entries for the Grade 1 Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile HurdleCredit: Mark Cranham

Pam Sly's unbeaten filly Eileendover, who also bypassed the festival for Aintree, is the standout entry in the Grade 2 bumper.

There are 14 entries from Ireland (including one from Northern Ireland), notably The Shunter, who could make the step up to Grade 1 company for the first time in the SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices' Chase over two and a half miles.

The Willie Mullins-trained Billaway, beaten a short head by Porlock Bay in the St James's Palace Hunters' Chase at Cheltenham, remains on course for Aintree's version after featuring among 26 confirmations.

Read more on the 2021 Grand National festival:

O'Leary: Tiger Roll goes to Aintree and there will be no humble pie if he wins

Evan Williams turns to James Bowen for Grand National ride on Secret Reprieve

O'Neill confident about Cloth Cap's chances but his price is 'crackers'

Another Papillon? Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now primed for Grand National bid

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