Jonbon 'the one to beat' as Nicky Henderson bids for record sixth Top Novices'

Friday: 2.20 Aintree
Betway Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m½f, 4yo | ITV/RTV

Nicky Henderson has won five runnings of the Top Novices' Hurdle since 2010, but his tally has stagnated since 2016. He fires two bullets in order to right that wrong this season and his pair are best on the figures with official marks of 147.

Jonbon and First Street have earned their ratings in contrasting fashion. Jonbon landed a couple of Supreme trials before bumping into clock-stopping stablemate Constitution Hill in the big one at Cheltenham. He may have been a 22-length second in the Supreme, but there aren't many novices in training who would have finished much closer to Constitution Hill that day.

That horse is an authentic challenger to Honeysuckle at Punchestown this month, and none of Jonbon's Top Novices' rivals are remotely close to that class.

Conversely, First Street has progressed through the handicap ranks. Experience of the hustle-and-bustle of competitive, big-field contests can only help First Street on his first foray into Grade 1 company.

Although Jonbon is less exposed, possesses more star quality and should have the edge in their private head-to-head, the price differential between the two is too great.

Irish raiders El Fabiolo and Vina Ardanza also have great potential but surely the latter, at five times the price, is the more appealing betting proposition.

Vina Ardanza is deeply unexposed and has achieved enough in the handicapper's eyes to merit a 141 rating after just two hurdle starts.

The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old is arguably unlucky not to be unbeaten. The lack of a recent outing told when he was thrown into a strong Grade 3 at Naas in March after winning his maiden hurdle in November. He travelled best approaching the last there, but was outstayed on the run-in by a talented, more experienced prospect in Highland Charge, whose form ties in with top-class novice Sir Gerhard.

Useful types Slip Of The Tongue and Deploy The Getaway couldn't match the first two that day, and Vina Ardanza could be a name we hear much more of in the coming seasons.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Walsh: 'Townend thinks Fabiolo has a fantastic chance'

Ruby Walsh has revealed that the horse Paul Townend put forward as his best chance of a winner at Aintree on Friday is the unexposed El Fabiolo.

The legendary rider conceded that Supreme runner-up Jonbon sets a daunting standard, but he suggested El Fabiolo has what it takes to be competitive.

Speaking on the Racing Post's Good Morning Aintree show, Walsh disclosed that, while sharing a flight to Liverpool with Townend, El Fabiolo was offered up as the Irish champion jockey's best chance of a Friday winner.

Walsh said: "I know from earwigging Paul Townend in the baggage lounge at Liverpool airport that he gave him to a few people as his best ride to a few guys. He has his chance."

Walsh added: "El Fabiolo is a hard horse to gauge. He beat Tempo Chapter Two in a maiden hurdle at Tramore, but that was a while ago now. He was at the Dublin Racing Festival, but couldn't run because he picked up a cut and then he missed Cheltenham. He's in very good form at home.

"I'm a massive Jonbon fan. I think he paid the price for taking on Dysart Dynamo in the Supreme and got beaten a bit further than he should have by Constitution Hill as a result. I think Jonbon sets a good standard, but El Fabiolo is an unknown. He's a professional horse and I don't think the lack of runs would worry me. He's a very good jumper and he knows his job."

El Fabiolo: gets a positive word from Ruby WalshCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

What they say

Chris Gordon, trainer of Aucunrisque
He's had a relatively nice break compared to a lot in the race. At Kempton if he had someone else taking him on I think he'd have gone even better. Mentally he's very strong for a novice, he's been very professional and I think it will stand him in good stead. I think he's in the best order he's been so far.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Jonbon and First Street
It's a pity they have to take each other on, but it's that stage of the season and they're both really well in themselves. You never quite know how horses are going to come out of Cheltenham, but what they've both done has been good. Jonbon beat the rest fair and square in the Supreme so he should be the one to beat. First Street ran really well in the Country Hurdle and the winner looks a very good horse.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Suprise Package
He only has a couple of pounds to find on ratings. The track will suit him more than Cheltenham with the easier finish and, while it's a competitive race, I'm expecting him to be in the shake-up. We're after having a great season so hopefully he can run another big one for us. The track is a major plus for him. He travels very easy, as you saw in the County, where he probably just didn't get up the hill as well as the others. He's been freshened up and travelled over really well. We're really looking forward to running him.

Friday's Aintree previews:

2.55 Aintree: It's a clash we've been waiting on for ages' - get ready for novice thriller

3.30 Aintree: Joseph O'Brien bullish as Fakir D'Oudairies bids for back-to-back Marsh Chases

4.05 Aintree: Can Mister Coffey pay off a 'mad idea'? Expert analysis and quotes on the Topham

4.40: Can Banbridge follow recent Martin Pipe winners and prove another Grade 1 horse?

Racing Post Live is your ultimate racing watchalong every Saturday and during major festivals. Our experts offer uninterrupted tips, analysis and reactions to the ITV action. Subscribe to the Racing Post YouTube channel here and never miss a minute