Annie Can Power Home To Land Aintree Treble

Annie Power will bid to extend her winning sequence as she heads the rematch of the first four home from last month’s Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in the Aintree Hurdle.

After opening her account for the first time at the Cheltenham Festival it is little surprise that Annie Power is the odds-on favourite at 4/7 to frank that form, despite the fact that they’ll be stepping up in trip by almost half a mile on this occasion.

In fact, the prices would suggest that that Nichols Canyon is set to relish the step up in trip and reverse the minor placings with My Tent Or Yours and it is hard to argue with that.

Bouncing Out Of Cheltenham
Odds of 4/7 may not make a lot of appeal to many punters but it’s almost impossible to pick holes in Willie Mullins’ top class mare.

Her only two defeats ever have been well documented, once when she appeared to be out stayed by More Of That and then when famously falling at the last in the Mares’ Hurdle.

The step up in trip is sure to suit Nichols Canyon (4/1) but he has had a much tougher season.

Annie Power is likely to be the fresher of those two coming into Aintree having just had a straightforward prep at Punchestown and then the Champion Hurdle. The Champion Hurdle was just Annie Power’s second start over two-miles since her novice hurdle days so the trip is nothing to be concerned of here and 4/7 is actually quite appealing.

Good Business
There’s plenty to look forward to on the opening day of the Grand National meeting but a bet that makes most appeal is a Grade One treble featuring Sizing John (11/4), Ivanovich Gorbatov (5/4) and Annie Power (4/7).

Since graduating from bumpers, Sizing John has only suffered one defeat when he has come up against Douvan and his connections will be thrilled to see Douvan is waiting until Saturday to line up at Aintree. Sizing John is the standard setter in his absence and looks a real good price at 11/4.

Ivanovich Gorbatov was overlooked by many at Cheltenham but well fancied by his connections who were proved right as the better ground brought out the required improvement to win the Triumph Hurdle. Aintree would look a track that is going to suit him perfectly and he looks like providing Aidan and Joseph O’Brien with another Grade One winner.

Recommended Bet:
Sizing John (11/4)
Ivanovich Gorbatov (5/4) &
Annie Power (4/7) all to win.

*Prices correct at time of publication.