1.45 - Aintree - Maestro Conti
We're really looking forward to going to Aintree, we always do; we love it. It's a completely different vibe to Cheltenham; Aintree is a bit more relaxed, the sun is out and we're very lucky to be able to go up to Liverpool - and the people up there love their racing. Hopefully it's a great meeting for everyone.
We start Thursday with Maestro Conti in the opening juvenile hurdle - he was second in the Triumph and I don't see any reason to suggest that he will underrun that performance. If anything, I think he can improve, just because he's getting bigger, stronger and generally better. This is a different track, but again I don't think that's a negative for him; he won around Kempton, which is a flat track. I think he's going to go really well in this. There are three or four of them that are closely linked on form, but I'd like to put our hat in the ring and say we've got a massive chance here.
2.55 - Aintree - Protektorat
Protektorat runs in the Bowl - we missed Cheltenham this year and come here fresh. He's getting older, I know, but he doesn't appear to be weakening in his ability. I think it's interesting that we're coming here fresh while a few of the others have been to Cheltenham. He looks fantastic, and it's a pleasure to be able to run him. He's done well at the track in the past, and won a Grade 1 here. He's been second in the Melling Chase the past two years, and I think he'll go really well.
I've got a lot of respect for the others; obviously there's a horse that finished second in the Gold Cup in Jango Baie, so you've got to respect them. But I do think Protektorat will run his best race.
3.30 - Aintree - Snipe & Unexpected Party
We've got two in the Hunters' Chase, which I'm sure is going to be exciting. Unexpected Party is obviously the shorter-priced of the two, and one of the highest rated in this race. I think he'll go really well - we've trained him specifically for this. The jumps will be fine for him - he'll be looking forward to it as well. He loves his racing and I think he'll go really well.
Snipe is the other one for us, and he definitely holds his form well in Hunter Chases. He's danced some big dances in handicaps as well, so he knows big fields. I think he'll run well - he doesn't have the numbers of Unexpected Party, we know that, but I do think he'll run really well.
