Timeform preview the 14:50 at Aintree on Saturday

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 04 April 2008 / Leave a Comment

Timeform rate the runners in Saturday's 14:50 at Aintree

Saturday April 5th Aintree 14.50

The Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)

Eleven are declared for the latest renewal of the Aintree Hurdle. Osana is the pick on his second in the Champion and the fact there's no obvious rival for the early lead here is another positive. Osana has had only nine starts over jumps, but wasted little time developing into a high-class hurdler and he looks the one to beat on recent form, namely his win in the International Hurdle at Cheltenham followed by an excellent second to Katchit in the Champion there last month, rallying splendidly after typically making the running.

Al Eile has been an excellent servant for connections both on the Flat and over hurdles and developed an excellent record at this track, with three wins from four starts including this corresponding race in 2005 and 2007. He looks to have been kept fresh for this and no surprise were he to make a bold bid again.

The tough and consistent Chomba Womba was successful on her first three starts this term and shaped well for a long way when third to White Oak in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at the Festival. A tough and consistent sort, she could offer good each-way value.

Afsoun is exposed as just below the very best hurdlers, but form such as his third in both this and the Champion Hurdle in 2006/7, as well as his second in the Ascot Hurdle on his reappearance, would see him thereabouts. He's yet to recapture that level since, however, even when beating a below-par Straw Bear at Sandown in February, and his edgy nature means there's always a chance he'll lose his race before the start.

Connections have struggled to find the key to My Way De Solzen since his novice chase campaign, but his last two runs since reverted to hurdles have given cause for more encouragement, even if he didn't find much tried blinkered when fifth to Inglis Drever in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, a race he won in 2006. Whilst he's the pick of these at his best, it's doubtful he's quite the force of old.

The very smart hurdler Straw Bear has been a standard-bearer for his young trainer but there's some doubt as to whether he'll ever prove a match for the best around, with easily his best effort this season - victory over Harchibald at Kempton - coming more because of the runner-up's quirks than any real improvement on his part.

Of the remainder, Kalderon needs to improve markedly to have any say in this, whilst both Mephisto and Louanos have something to prove at present.

Lough Derg and Elusive Dream both ran on Thursday.