Key questions as Pentland Hills bids to follow up Triumph win in Juvenile Hurdle

2.20 Aintree
Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle | Grade 1 | 4yo| 2m1f | ITV/RUK

Can Pentland Hills do it again?

Nicky Henderson has a mixed record in this race but looks to register back-to-back victories with Pentland Hills, who attempts to become the fifth Triumph Hurdle winner this century to follow up.

The ill-fated We Have A Dream ended a ten-year wait for Henderson last year after the trainer's first success with Binocular in 2008. However, there were several disappointments in between, including beaten 4-6 favourite Hargam in 2015.

Pentland Hills caused a 20-1 shock at Cheltenham for the 3,000 owners in his syndicate when graduating from a Plumpton maiden hurdle to claim the Triumph on just his second start over hurdles.

A two-time winner on the Flat, Pentland Hills nearly fell at the first before warming to his task to belie his inexperience in ultimately commanding fashion.

Henderson said: "It's a very good race as you've got Band Of Outlaws and Fakir D'Oudairies, so it looks a very stern test. If he comes through this, then he's a very good horse."

The trainer also runs Adjali, who finished mid-division in the Triumph, some 14 lengths behind Pentland Hills.

"He's been running well this season and hopefully Aintree might suit him," said Henderson.

Has the O'Brien pecking order changed since Cheltenham?

Joseph O'Brien has an enviable array of talent in the juvenile department and is also doubly represented, with Fred Winter winner Band Of Outlaws and Supreme Novices' Hurdle fourth Fakir D'Oudairies.

O'Brien spread out his juvenile runners at Cheltenham and although Band Of Outlaws was given the easier assignment, the manner in which he won his race has altered the pecking order, at least in the eyes of the handicapper, who has rated Band Of Outlaws 3lb superior to his stablemate.

"Band Of Outlaws came out of Cheltenham in great shape and we're looking forward to running him," said O'Brien. "He's probably a quicker horse than Fakir D'Oudairies so Aintree should suit him."

Fakir D'Oudairies had been ante-post favourite for the Triumph after winning the trial at Cheltenham in January, but following the emergence of fellow JP McManus-owned juvenile Sir Erec he was diverted to the Supreme in which he ran respectably against his elders.

Victory here would be charged with emotion for owner JP McManus and the trainer following Sir Erec's fatal injury in the Triumph.

"He ran well enough in the Supreme and the more rain that arrives, the more his chance will improve," said O'Brien. "He'll probably improve for a step up in trip down the line."

What they say

Gary Moore, trainer of Beat The Judge
I'm happy with him but not about the opposition he's facing. The track will suit more than Cheltenham would have done and hopefully he'll get some nice ground. He's in a great place but has got to up his game in a race as competitive as this.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Christopher Wood
He has two wins from two starts and was impressive under a penalty at Newbury last time. We like him. He could be interesting.

Tom George, trainer of Fanfan Du Seuil
I've been very pleased with him, he's progressing and will have learned a lot from Cheltenham as he had been a bit babyish in his previous two runs. I think the track and fewer runners will suit him, and he's grown up a lot.

Tom Symonds, trainer of Song For Someone
He had the option of going for the juvenile handicap at Ascot last Sunday but with the ground drying out there we thought we'd wait for this. Obviously there's a big difference and he has a lot to find on ratings, but he has some good form – he had Ascot winner Legal History back in third when winning at Newbury in December – and should give a good show.

Peter Bowen, trainer of Statuario
The owner wanted to run and we'll see how he goes. He's shown a bit on his first two starts but looks up against it in this company.

Spotlight verdict

The market principals stand out and are hard to get away from. Band Of Outlaws overcame some brief trouble in running to win well in handicap company at the Cheltenham Festival and, very much unexposed, commands major respect. Preference though is for Pentland Hills, who did very well to win the Triumph Hurdle considering it was just his second start in this sphere and that he made an early blunder. With more probably to come, he can take this.

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