'He's extremely well' - Protektorat primed to be best of Britain in Betway Bowl

A bullish John Hales believes Protektorat will prove to be the best staying chaser in Britain in the Betway Bowl (2.55) at Aintree on Thursday after the final fields were revealed for the opening day of the Grand National meeting.

The popular owner, who jointly owns Protektorat alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and Ged Mason, insists the Dan Skelton-trained runner has a golden chance to cap off his season with success in the 3m1f Grade 1, in which he is set to face eight rivals.

Protektorat fared best of the Brits when a well-held third behind A Plus Tard in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month, and Hales reported the seven-year-old to be in top form ahead of his Aintree assignment.

2.55 Aintree: Betway Bowl racecard and betting

Having won the Manifesto Novices' Chase on the card last year before his wide-margin win in the Many Clouds Chase in December, Protektorat will be bidding to maintain his perfect record on Merseyside.

"He'd be the best staying chaser in Britain," Hales said. "We were delighted he proved he's a Gold Cup horse and, although it's only been three weeks, Dan assures me he'll run unless he's not 110 per cent.

"He's extremely well and Dan is confident. It's not as tough a test as at Cheltenham and he couldn't have beaten the winner [A Plus Tard] last time, but he could have managed second if he hadn't clouted the last. That's history now though, and we're looking forward to watching him run on Thursday."

John Hales (right): thinks Protektorat can get back to winning ways at AintreeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Protektorat will face last year's winner Clan Des Obeaux and 2019 hero Kemboy, while the popular grey Bristol De Mai, Conflated, Eldorado Allen and Royale Pagaille also feature among the field of nine.

Hales, Ferguson and Mason will also be represented by the Paul Nicholls-trained Monmiral in the £250,000 Betway Aintree Hurdle (3.30) and Hales reckons the top-class juvenile hurdler, who also won on the card last year in the Grade 1 Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle, could be underrated.

He added: "He's had a a disrupted season having picked up a knock earlier in the year, but Paul is quite confident. He's a completely fresh horse and I'm sure he'll run a good race.

"It'd be very good if they could do a double again and there's no reason why they can't."

Monmiral will come up against Champion Hurdle second and third Epatante and Zanahiyr in the 2m4f contest, while Nicholls also has McFabulous in the field of seven.

Epatante: steps up to 2m4f for the first time in the Aintree HurdleCredit: Edward Whitaker

Epatante will be trainer Nicky Henderson's sole runner in the race, with Buveur D'Air taken out alongside Adagio and Quilixios before declarations.

Cheltenham Festival runner-up Winged Leader was the notable absentee from the final field of 24 for the Randox Foxhunters' Chase (4.05), in which last year's shock winner Cousin Pascal will defend his crown. He faces a stern test against the likes Jett and 2021 Cheltenham Festival winner Porlock Bay.

In the day's other Grade 1 contests, Triumph Hurdle third Pied Piper heads a field of nine in the Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle (2.20), while Pic D'Orhy is top-rated in a field of seven for the SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices' Chase (1.45).

3.30 Aintree: Betway Aintree Hurdle racecard and betting

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