Mullins runs Faugheen and Melon in Aintree Hurdle as Benie waits for Punchestown

Nicky Henderson will enjoy a numerical advantage over Willie Mullins in Thursday's Grade 1 Betway Aintree Hurdle after Benie Des Dieux was rerouted.

Henderson has declared Buveur D'Air, Verdana Blue and Brain Power and his trio had been due to take on three from Mullins, but Benie Des Dieux will not be joining Faugheen and Melon at Aintree.

Benie Des Dieux fell at the last at Cheltenham with the Mares' Hurdle in the bag but a compensation bid will occur closer to home.

Mullins said: "We decided to give the Aintree race a miss and to keep her for the Punchestown festival, where she won last year, instead."

The other main highlight on Thursday's card is the Grade 1 Betway Bowl, which features the Cheltenham Gold Cup third, fifth and sixth in Bristol De Mai, Clan Des Obeaux and Elegant Escape.

The opening race on Thursday, the Devenish Manifesto Novices' Chase, lost its favourite on Tuesday when Defi Du Seuil was ruled out, with La Bague Au Roi – who had been second favourite for the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase on Friday – replacing him as market leader, at a best-priced 2-1, after being rerouted.

Philip Hobbs, who trains Defi Du Seuil, hopes the rising star is not out for long.

He said: "Unfortunately he's knocked his off-fore fetlock joint in a little piece of work and cannot be ridden for at least a couple of days.

"In the circumstances he can't run at Aintree on Thursday, which is a big blow for his owner JP McManus and everybody at the yard – he'd have had a leading chance in the race."

As with Benie Des Dieux, Aintree's loss could be Ireland's gain, as Hobbs added: "The hope is he'll soon recover from this very minor setback and will be able to run at Fairyhouse over the Easter weekend later this month in the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup."

The going on the National course was on Tuesday described as good to soft, soft in places, while it was good to soft over hurdles and on the conventional chase track.

That was after 10mm of rain on Monday night into Tuesday morning, and clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: "The forecast from now on indicates mostly dry weather, but with occasional showers.

"The ground was definitely drying up yesterday and we had changed the going description to good. We needed, and wanted, the overnight rain.

"We'll see how each day goes. The rain has lessened the need for watering, but I'd be surprised if we get right through the meeting without having to put a bit more water on."

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