Aintree Hurdle best bets: Impaire Et Passe can reap rewards of Cheltenham withdrawal
Impaire Et Passe ridden by jockey Paul Townend on their way to winning the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
There will be some familiar faces lining up in the Aintree Hurdle, with many of last month’s Cheltenham performers in action again for the biggest prize of the Festival’s opening day.
15:30 - William Hill Aintree Hurdle (2 miles 4 furlongs)
Sadly, Constitution Hill is not around to defend the crown he won as the 2/15 favourite a year ago, but there’s still a wealth of star quality on display, with four of the seven starters having tasted Cheltenham Festival glory.
Langer Dan became the first horse to win back-to-back Coral Cups a month ago, but this is his first taste of Grade 1 company, and while Luccia looked more than useful when coming third behind State Man in the Champion Hurdle, there has to be a question mark hanging over this first attempt beyond two miles.
That surely leaves the door open for Impaire Et Passe to step up after a campaign that has not yet lived up to expectations of his wins in last year’s Ballymore at Cheltenham, followed a month later by success in the Champion Novices’ Hurdle at Punchestown.
Planet Sport Bet: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Impaire Et Passe wins by more than 6 lengths, get a £5 Free Bet!
Those wins were by 6½ and 7½ lengths respectively, so it’s been a surprise that he has failed to visit the winner’s enclosure in three attempts in Ireland this term, albeit those races have been won by the quality of Teahupoo and State Man, who both went on to Cheltenham triumphs.
He also trailed in behind the re-opposing Bob Olinger last time out, and it was perhaps that performance that persuaded Willie Mullins to swerve a Cheltenham tilt in favour of this trip to Aintree, where the extra rest (not to mention the ansence of Constitution Hill and State Man) should see the six-year-old turn up raring to go.
Of equal significance is that he is reunited with Paul Townend, who was in the pilot seat for those two wins last year, but had understandably opted to ride State Man in those last two outings at Leopardstown.
Suggested bet: Impaire Et Passe in the 15:30 at Aintree
- Tip advised by All Of Them on Tipstrr
Aintree Hurdle last 5 winners
- 2023 Constitution Hill 2/15F
- 2022 Epatante 2/1
- 2021 Abacadabras 5/1
- 2019 Supersundae 15/2
- 2018 L’Ami Serge 5/1
READ MORE: Thursday ITV racing tips: Best Bets for Aintree on April 11
