Exciting Global Citizen in 'fantastic order' says Pauling

2.20 Aintree
Betway Top Novices' Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m½f | 4yo+ | ITV

Does Global Citizen have the world at his feet?

Ben Pauling's Global Citizen swerved the County Hurdle at Cheltenham after being raised a whopping 19lb following a scintillating win in the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle at Kempton in February, meaning he arrives here fresh for what looks a fine opportunity to have a crack at a first Grade 1.

Global Citizen has won both his starts since joining Ben Pauling from Jonjo O'Neill midway through this season, coming home eight and then nine lengths clear, suggesting that a change of scenery has brought about significant benefits for the fast-improving six-year-old.

"He's in fantastic order," Pauling said. "I couldn't be happier with him going into the race. He handled soft ground at Southwell so that shouldn't be a problem. I do think he'll be better on better ground though. He's a horse with a big future."

Will drop in trip bring out the best in Vision Des Flos?

Samcro’s dominant victory grabbed the headlines in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but plenty will have noted the fine run by the Colin Tizzard-trained Vision Des Flos, who led coming to two out and just did not see the race out as well as some.

That was his second run since a wind operation and the performance has given connections plenty of hope he will thrive over this 2m½f, more than half a mile shorter than the Ballymore.

Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard said: “He ran a lovely race in the Ballymore and just didn’t quite get up the hill, so that’s why we’ve dropped him back in trip. We’re looking forward to running him back over two miles.”

The Tizzards, who won this last year with Pingshou, also run Slate House, who took a heavy fall at the last in the Supreme Novices’, without which he would likely have finished in mid-division.

Tizzard added: “Slate House is a nice horse, the track should suit him and he’s in good form at home – he could run a big race.”

Will Flat convert Scarlet Dragon take another step forward?

This will be just a second start over hurdles for Scarlet Dragon, who was second behind Global Citizen on his jumping debut in the Dovecote.

That sets a high standard and his Flat form is also eyecatching. He was rated 109 in that sphere, winning five times, including Newmarket’s Old Rowley Cup, and was beaten a head at Group 3 level last season.

Alan King wrote in his Weekender column: “He’s a high-class Flat horse who made a pleasing start over hurdles. He was quite keen that day and he’ll be suited by the good gallop here.

“The Supreme at Cheltenham came a bit too quick for him just over a fortnight after Kempton and the extra time has done him the world of good.

“His home work has been very pleasing and, though he lacks a bit of experience, his preparation has certainly gone well.”

What they say

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Mind's Eye and Ornua
They seem in good form. Mind’s Eye didn’t appear to get home in the Ballymore at Cheltenham, so we’re dropping him back in trip. Ornua is coming back from a long break and we’re just hoping he runs well.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Style De Garde
We’re taking on the older horses but he deserves the chance – he ran a very good race in defeat in the Fred Winter last month.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Coolanly
He ran well for a long way at Cheltenham and we’ll ride him more patiently this time. He’s a lovely horse and deserves to take his chance. We’d be happy if he were to run a similar race to Cheltenham.

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