'We know he loves those fences' - Any Second Now enhances National claims

A key Saturday of action in Britain and Ireland, with racing at Kempton and Fairyhouse providing pointers to next month's Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National in April. Find out the key details, market moves and reaction from Saturday's big races below.

1.50 Kempton

Coral Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2), 2m

What happened?

Knight Salute, for the resurgent Milton Harris, confirmed his position as one of Britain's leading juvenile hurdlers by making it five from five since he went jumping.

He might not have Triumph big guns Vauban and Pied Piper quaking in their hooves, but he was too good for Teddy Blue and Graystone.

The winning time

3min 52.36sec, slow by 10.8sec compared to RP Standard time, on ground described as good to soft.

Ante-post market moves

Knight Salute was unchanged at 12-1 for the Triumph with Betfair, but that firm made runner-up Teddy Blue 16-1 (from 25). Coral trimmed the winner slightly to 14-1 (from 16).

What do our experts reckon?

That was impressive. Main rival Impulsive One didn’t run up to his best, but nevertheless Knight Salute won with lots of authority off a decent enough pace, and he is most definitely Britain’s main hope for the Triumph now.

The Irish are going to be very difficult to beat in the juvenile Grade 1 next month, but early reactions from some firms to leave him unchanged is a tad generous. The Adonis isn’t the trial it used to be, but it’s still the best guide in Britain and Knight Salute is unbeaten and won at Cheltenham earlier in the season.
James Hill, tipster

Report | Full result and replay

3.00 Kempton

Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2), 2m

What happened?

Aucunrisque took charge down the back straight as he came up out of Tom Cannon's hands with a couple of prodigious leaps.

He was less fluent over the two flights in the home straight but was always holding favourite Shallwehaveonemore, whose own blunder at the last may have handed an extra length to the winner.

Aucunrisque and Tom Cannon on their way to victory in the Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The winning time

3m 50.69s, a shade quicker that the juveniles went in the Adonis

Ante-post market moves

Paddy Power are unchanged at 20-1 for the County Hurdle about Aucunrisque, while Coral were more impressed at 16-1.

What do our experts reckon?

I’d be surprised if we saw any Cheltenham winners there. The favourite, Shallwehaveonemore, travelled like the best horse, but he flattered to deceive, bottoming out in the straight behind the gutsy Aucunrisque.

Those in behind looked to be treading water towards the end, and the winner set a sound enough test to prevail. But the fact the Paul Nicholls-trained juvenile Iceo stayed on to be beaten less than five lengths, having looked well beaten at one stage, suggests there was a bit of a pace collapse.
James Hill, tipster

Watch Aucunrisque scoot clear in the Dovecote

4.18 Fairyhouse

Tote Bobbyjo Chase (Grade 3), 3m1½f

What happened?

Last season's Grand National third Any Second Now put his head in front on the line to deny Escaria Ten, with daylight back to Burrows Saint and Coko Beach.

Mark Walsh was content to look on from the rear of the four-runner field aboard Any Second Now and Escaria Ten – sporting first-time blinkers – looked to have the race in safe keeping after surging clear on the home turn and putting in a fine leap at the last.

Both horses emerged with credit but it was Any Second Now whose stamina just won out in a thrilling finish.

The winning time

6m 48.50s, slow by 35.50s compared to RP Standard time, on ground described as soft.

Ante-post market moves

Betfair's sportsbook could not split the pair for Aintree before the race at 16-1 and made the same cut to both, with Any Second Now and Escaria Ten 12-1 joint favourites for the National. Sky Bet and Ladbrokes both make Any Second Now their clear Grand National favourite at 10-1.

Any Second Now: favourite for the Randox Grand NationalCredit: Patrick McCann

What do our experts reckon?

Connections will be delighted with the performance from Any Second Now. It was his first proper run of the season, and he was giving Escaria Ten 1lb more than he will be at Aintree. The runner-up lost nothing in defeat, jumping well in the blinkers, but he was outstayed by the winner, who we know likes the National fences.

Burrows Saint was fourth in the big one last April, but he didn’t look the same horse here and his jumping was sketchy. I wouldn’t be backing the 2019 Irish National winner on this showing.
James Hill, tipster

Report | Full result and replay

More Saturday action:

Knight Salute maintains unbeaten hurdling record with third Grade 2 win

Saudi Arabia: Lemaire and Japan at the treble as Songline adds to Authority's dominant success

'Over the moon' Christian Williams lands dream Eider Chase-Coral Trophy double

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