Fresh from his dominance at the Cheltenham Festival, Willie Mullins takes aim at the Aintree Grand National Festival this week. This Aintree team is more streamlined but it would be dangerous to think it will be any less potent. Whilst it’s unlikely that he’ll have as many as the 10 winners he had at Cheltenham, this doesn’t mean he won’t have a good week.
His best bet of the week has to be this unexposed novice hurdler who missed Cheltenham. Be sure to check out our free tips page as we will provide expertly selected tips throughout the three days.
El Fabiolo comes here off the back of an extremely pleasing maiden hurdle victory at Tramore on New Year’s Day. He won by 13 lengths that day in a facile manner whilst being eased down at the finish. His stablemate was in second that day and he went on to score comfortably in a novice hurdle next time out before not disgracing himself on handicap debut in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.
This gelding is completely unexposed and hasn’t been seen since or before that start whilst with Willie Mullins. We could have a better idea of what this horse is capable of if he had run as intended in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown in February. Unfortunately he was injured in transit that day which may be the cause of his absence since.
We will certainly have a good idea of this horse’s ability come Friday. The market suggests his main rival is Jonbon. Nicky Henderson’s gelding had a tough race behind Constitution Hill at Cheltenham just three weeks ago. Jonbon could find the two-mile trip at this speedy track too sharp as the Supreme suggested a step-up in trip is necessary which could be to El Fabiolo’s benefit.
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