It only emphasises the special appeal of the Grand National that Istabraq will have to be content with playing a supporting role in the Martell Aintree Hurdle. But what a supporting role that is likely to be. Istabraq's performance in winning the Champion Hurdle was quite simply breathtaking.
Charlie Swan never had to raise his whip and Istabraq still drew 12 lengths clear of his stable companion, Theatreworld, to win the championship in a style seldom seen before. Possibly the only person watching whose breathing remained regular was Aidan O'Brien who remarkably had forecast that Istabraq would "destroy" the opposition.
The Ballydoyle trainer had built the JP McManus-owned gelding's whole year around Cheltenham but even viewing today's £60,000 contest as something of an afterthought should not stop Istabraq from winning easily.
"He hasn't been doing a lot since Cheltenham but is in really good form," O'Brien said yesterday. "I'm not worried about the ground, he has won on the heavy and on the fast, and I imagine this will be his last race of the season."
As a former Sun Alliance winner, today's two and a half miles should hold no fears for the short odds-on favourite and despite the presence of the 1996 Champion Collier Bay and the somewhat quirky Pridwell, it will be a major shock if Istabraq is beaten.
Other Irish success on the day may be scare, however. Theatreworld, Grimes and Advocat run in the Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle but preference is for the Barry Fentonridden Bellator. Theatreworld must concede weight all round, Grimes will hardly relish the ground and Advocat had a hard race when runner-up in the County Hurdle, all reasons which bring Bellator right into it.
Toby Balding's horse was running a big race at 100 to 1 when falling at the last in the Champion Hurdle, a big improvement on his two previous races where he drifted badly at Haydock and lost a shoe at Newbury. Bellator won't mind the going and may be a touch of value.
Jeffell tries to add the Red Rum Chase to his Victor Chandler win in January but he, too, must concede weight all round and the 11lb he must give to Cumbrian Challenge could be beyond him. Cumbrian Challenge ran a fine third to Edredon Bleu at Cheltenham and should have no problems ground-wise having won on the soft at Wetherby in January.
In the amateur riders handicap chase, Call- ing Wild will be hard to beat. A winner at Fontwell, Uttoxeter and Newton Abbott, he ran well on ground too quick behind Cyfor Malta at Cheltenham and has the assistance of the competant youngster Joe Tizzard on his back.
1.45: Bellator; 2.20: Cumbrian Challenge; 2.55: Istabraq; 4.35: Calling Wild (nap); 5.15: Dragon Lord.
