The mighty Constitition Hill is set to be the star turn on Grand Opening Day at the 2023 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse.
Nicky Henderson's unbeaten six-year-old will face five rivals in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle (3.30pm), the Grade One feature on the opening day of the Aintree meeting on Thursday. Constitution Hill made it a perfect six wins from six starts Under Rules when running out a superb winner of the Champion Hurdle at last month's Cheltenham Festival. The six-year-old is not a betting proposition and is likely to go off at 1-5 or 1-6 in the Grade One feature as he steps up to 2m4f for the first time. It could be Constitution Hill's last run over hurdles as connections mull over a chasing career next season.
READ MORE: Full list of runners at 50 remain in 2023 Grand National
Henderson's star mare Epatante won last year's Aintree Hurdle and will renew rivalries with her stable-mate having been beaten by him comfortably earlier in the season in both the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Gordon Elliott's Zanahiyr and the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained I Like To Move It, who finished third and sixth respectively in the Champion Hurdle, will also take on Constitution Hill again. The Willie Mullins-trained Sharjah and Alan King's veteran Sceau Royal, who will wear cheekpieces for the first time, complete the six runners in the Aintre Hurdle.
There will also be six runners in another of the four Grade One contests, the preceding Alder Hey Aintree Bowl (2.55pm), including four horses who were behind Galopin Des Champs in last month's Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Bravemansgame was runner-up in the blue riband and bids to go one better for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who has a fine record in the Bowl and has won. Lucinda Russell, who has the current Grand National favourite in Corach Rambler, will saddle Gold Cup faller Ahoy Senor. He has won Grade Ones over both hurdles and fences at the Grand National Festival in the past two years and will be ridden by champion jockey Brian Hughes in the absence of his regular partner Derek Fox. Elliott's Gold Cup third Conflated and Henry de Bromhead's A Plus Tard – last year's Gold Cup winner who was pulled up in this year's race – are the two Irish raiders. Henderson's Shishkin, who was a staying-on second in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, will step up to three-miles-plus for the first time and is vying for favouritism for the Bowl with Bravemansgame. Jamie Snowden's Ga Law, fifth in the Ryanair Chase, completes the line-up.
The first of four Grade Ones on day one is the Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices' Chase (1.45pm) and Joseph O'Brien's Cheltenham absentee Banbridge takes on the Nicholls-trained Stage Star, who won the Turners' Novices' Chase at the Festival. Wilie Mullins' Saint Roi, the Sheila Lewis-trained Straw Fan Jack and Visionarian, from the Peter Fahey stable, are others in the line-up.
The first race over the Grand National at the three-day meeting is the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters Chase (4.05p) which is for amateur jockeys only. Run over 2m5f of the National course, 28 runners have been declared headed by current favourite Winged Leader, who is trained by David Christie and finished second in the St James's Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The last two winners of the Aintree Foxhunters' – John O'Shea's Cousin Pascal and the Tom Ellis-trained Latenightpass – will also bid for more glory.
READ MORE: Grand National 2023: dates, tickets and how to watch on TV
Eleven four-year-olds have been declared for the Grade One Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (2.20pm), with the Mullins-trained Zenta the likely favourite following her third-placed finish in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. Gary Moore's pair of Bo Zenith and Perseus Way, O'Brien's Nusret, the Milton Harris-trained Scriptwriter and Greyval from Fergal O'Brien's yard all missed last month's Festival and are all towards the head of the betting to score at Aintree.
There are 14 runners in the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (4.40pm) for which Dan Skelton's Third Time Lucki, who was fourth in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham last month. And in the finale, the Grade Two Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (5.15pm), 20 runners have been declared.
Latest Going: Mildmay & Hurdle Courses: Good to Soft, Good in places, Grand National Course: Good to Soft. There was 10.8mm rain on Monday. Today is predicted to be largely dry before becoming wet and windy afternoon/overnight into Wednesday. Sunny spells and scattered showers are forecast for Thursday (1-2mm) with a similar outlook for Friday, when there is the chance of some heavier showers (2-5mm). Saturday should see some sunny spells and an occasional shower (1-2mm). 3-4mm of irrigation was applied to the Grand National Course only on Friday night into Saturday. Today is predicted to be largely dry before becoming wet and windy afternoon/overnight into Wednesday. Sunny spells and scattered showers are forecast for Thursday (1-2mm) with a similar outlook for Friday, when there is the chance of some heavier showers (2-5mm). Saturday should see some sunny spells and an occasional shower (1-2mm).
Full list of races, runners and riders for Grand Opening Day (Thursday, April 13)
1.45pm Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m3f200y
1 Banbridge (IRE) 7-11-7 Mr RA Bartlett Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland JJ Slevin
2 Saint Roi (FR) ts 8-11-7 Mr JP McManus WP Mullins Ireland
3 Stage Star (IRE) 7-11- 7 Owners Group 044 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
4 Straw Fan Jack 8-11-7 Mr Graham Wilson Sheila Lewis Sean Houlihan
5 Visionarian (IRE) 8-11-7 Mr Basil Holian Peter Fahey Ireland Keith Donoghue
2.20pm Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m209y
1 Bo Zenith (FR) 4-11-2 Mr OS Harris Gary Moore Jamie Moore
2 Chaos Control (IRE) 4-11-2 Oakman Racing Club Stuart Edmunds Ciaran Gethings
3 Jipcot (FR) 4-11-2 The Megsons Ben Pauling Kielan Woods
4 Nusret ts 4-11-2 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Daryl Jacob
5 Perseus Way (IRE) p 4-11-2 Mr OS Harris Gary Moore Niall Houlihan
6 Rightsotom (GER) 4-11-2 Mrs Rita Byrne Thomas Mullins Ireland Daniel Mullins
7 Sarsons Risk (IRE) ts 4-11-2 Mr RS Brookhouse B F Brookhouse Robert Dunne
8 Scriptwriter (IRE) ts 4-11-2 Mark & Maria Adams Milton Harris Harry Cobden
9 Greyval (FR) 4-10-9 The Oakley Partnership Fergal O'Brien Paddy Brennan
10 Pawapuri 4-10-9 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
11 Zenta (FR) 4-10-9 Mr JP McManus WP Mullins Ireland
2.55pm Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m210y
1 Ahoy Senor (IRE) 8-11-10 Wymer & Russell Lucinda Russell Brian Hughe
2 A Plus Tard (FR) ts 9-11-10 Cheveley Park Stud Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore
3 Bravemansgame (FR) 8-11-10 Bryan Drew Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
4 Conflated (IRE) 9-11-10 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland
5 Ga Law (FR) 7-11-10 The Footie Partnership Jamie Snowden Jonathan Burke
6 Shishkin (IRE) 9-11-10 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
3.30pm William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f
1 Constitution Hill 6-11-10 Mr Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville
2 I Like To Move It 6-11-10 Anne-Marie & Jamie Shepperd Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies
3 Sceau Royal (FR) p 11-11010 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Alan King Daryl Jacob
4 Sharjah (FR) ts 10-11-10 Mrs S Ricci WP Mullins Ireland Mr PW Mullins
5 Zanahiyr (IRE) ts, p 6-11-10 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Davy Russell
6 Epatante (FR) 9-11-3 Mr JP McManus Nicky Henderson Aidan Coleman
4.05pm Randox Foxhunters' Chase 2m 5f 19y
1 Ami Desbois (FR) ts 13-12-0 L Gill & Reserved Judgement Partnership Fergal O'Brien Mr Tom Broughton
2 Bennys King (IRE) p 12-12-0 Mezzone Family Dan Skelton Mr John Dawson
3 Coastal Tiep (FR) ts, p 11-12-0 Jetmac Syndicate SRB Crawford Northern Ireland
4 Cousin Pascal (FR) 11-12-0 Mr Nathan Richards JJ O'Shea Mr Huw Edwards
5 Dalahast (FR) bl,ts 10-12-0 Mr AB Leyshon AB Leyshon Mr Martin McIntyre
6 Dento des Obeaux (FR) 10-12-0 Mr Liam Gibney Patrick Eugene Turley Ireland Mr D. G. Lavery
7 Dieu Vivant (FR) ts, p 10-12-0 Mr P Chesters Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Miss Aine O'Connor
8 Dorking Cock (IRE) ts, p 9-12-0 SRB Crawford SRB Crawford Northern Ireland
9 Drop Flight (FR) h,ts 8-12-0 Mr N Sutton S Loxton Mr Ben Sutton
10 Envoye Special (FR) h,ts 9-12-0 Mrs P Bunter Keiran Burke Mr James King
11 Famous Clermont (FR) ts 8-12-0 Biddiscombe, Rousell, Collins & Rogers CR Barber Mr William Biddick
12 Fier Jaguen (FR) ts 8-12-0 Mr Julian Sherriff Bradley Gibbs Mr Bradley Gibbs
13 I K Brunel 9-12-0 The I K Brunel Partnership Alan Hill Miss Izzie Marshall
14 Its On The Line (IRE) p 6-12-0 Emmet Mullins Emmet Mullins Ireland Mr Derek O'Connor
15 Latenightpass 10-12-0 Mrs PA Ellis T Ellis Miss Gina Andrews
16 Lough Derg Spirit (IRE) ts, p 11-12-0 Ms Catherine Murphy DP Murphy Ireland Mr Jack Hendrick
17 Magic Saint (FR) ts, p 9-12-0 Mr and Mrs JD Cotton Paul Nicholls Miss Olive Nicholls
18 Matts Commission (IRE) ts 10-12-0 Mrs Rita Williams Jack Teal Mr Christopher Furness
19 Not That Fuisse (FR) 10-12-0 Mr Colm Donlon Dan Skelton Mr Jack Andrews
20 Reikers Island (IRE) ts, p 10-12-0 Mr Daniel Cherriman Alan Hill Mr Daniel Cherriman
21 Rewritetherules (IRE) ts 9-12-0 Mr David O'Brien David O'Brien Mr David O'Brien
22 Sir Jack Yeats (IRE) bl 12-12-0 Mr Fergal O'Brien Fergal O'Brien Miss Fern O'Brien
23 Sixteen Letters (IRE) ts 11-12-0 Mr JF Symes J Newman Mr Joshua Newman
24 Step Back (IRE) bl 13-12-0 Cracker and Smodge Partnership Mark Bradstock Miss Lily Bradstock
25 Time Leader (IRE) 9-12-0 G&S Capper M&C Kennerley M Loran L Doyle JJ O'Shea Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell
26 Wagner (IRE) ts 8-12-0 Merriebelle Irish Farm Limited Max Comley Mr Darren Andrews
27 Winged Leader (IRE) 9-12-0 Samuel John Hegarty/Miss Jennifer O'Kane DM Christie Ireland Mr Barry O'Neill
28 Write It Down (IRE) ts, p 9-12-0 Mrs BC Jones-Owen RA Owen Miss Immy Robinson
4.40pm Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 1m7f176y
1 Third Time Lucki (IRE) ts 8-12-0 Mike and Eileen Newbould Dan Skelton Harry Skelton
2 Dancing On My Own (IRE) ts 9-11-10 Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore
3 Dads Lad (IRE) ts 8-11-9 Whitegrass Racing Syndicate WP Mullins Ireland Brian Hayes
4 Pay The Piper (IRE) 8-11-9 Mr Ian Hamilton Ann Hamilton Danny McMenamin
5 Grey Diamond (FR) ts 9-11-8 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Thomas Sam Twiston-Davies
6 Before Midnight 10-11-6 Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Sam Thomas Charlie Deutsch
7 Mackenberg (GER) 8-11-6 Mr TG Leslie Donald McCain Brian Hughes
8 Vado Forte (FR) 10-11-6 Downtown Syndicate Ross O'Sullivan Ireland Robert Dunne
9 Global Citizen (IRE) 11-11-5 The Megsons Ben Pauling Kielan Woods
10 The Last Day (IRE) 11-11-1 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams Adam Wedge
11 Hasankey (IRE) v 7-11-1 The Hanky Panky Partnership L J Morgan Lewis Dobb (7)
12 Defan 7-11-0 Mr Niall O'Leary Henry de Bromhead Ireland Darragh O'Keeffe
13 Douglas Talking (IRE) ts 7-11-0 The Bristol Boys & Russell Lucinda Russell Stephen Mulqueen
14 Hatcher (IRE) 10-10-10 Mr PH Betts Dan Skelton Tristan Durrell (5)
5.15pm Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m209y
1 Alfie's Princess (IRE) ts 6-11-2 Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Sam Thomas Sam Twiston-Davies
2 Baby Sage 5-11-2 Burkes & Syders Alan King Tom Cannon
3 Casa No Mento 5-11-2 Ratkatcha Racing Nigel Twiston-Davies Brian Hughes
4 Dysart Enos (IRE) 5-11-2 The Good Stock Syndicate Fergal O'Brien Paddy Brennan
5 Gaillimh A Run (IRE) 6-11-2 Ms Eileen O'Brien/John A Harrington John Queally Ireland Mr JJ Codd
6 Golden Ace 5-11-2 Mr IF Gosden Jeremy Scott Lorcan Williams
7 Ici La Reine (IRE) 5-11-2 Mrs Julien Turner & Mr Andrew Merriam Warren Greatrex Jonjo O'Neill Jr
8 Kay Tara Tara 5-11-2 IBT Racing Alan King Jonathan Burke
9 Lunar Discovery 6-11-2 Kevin & Anne Glastonbury James Moffatt Charlotte Jones
10 Magic Dawn (IRE) 6-11-2 KTDA Racing Gordon Elliott Ireland Davy Russell
11 Notkeepinyagoing (IRE) ts 6-11-2 Planetary Orbit Syndicate John McConnell Ireland
12 Politacus (IRE) 5-11-2 JC Collett Fergal O'Brien Liam Harrison
13 Rockstown Girl (IRE) 5-11-2 Mrs Avril Barry A. McCann Ireland Miss Aine O'Connor
14 Saint Bibiana (IRE) ts 6-11-2 Ms ML Peterson Kim Bailey Ciaran Gethings
15 Seeyouinmydreams 5-11-2 Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson, Done, McGoff Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden
16 She's A Fine Wine (IRE) 5-11-2 Touchwood Racing Olly Murphy Sean Bowen
17 Telepathique 5-11-2 Mrs Elizabeth Gordon Lennox Lucy Wadham Nico de Boinville
18 Williamstowndancer (IRE) 5-11-2 Blackrock Racing Syndicate WP Mullins Ireland Mr PW Mullins
19 Jolie Coeur Allen (FR) 4-10-8 Mr JP McManus WP Mullins Ireland
20 July Flower (FR) 4-10-8 C B Woods/Mr N Doolin Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore
