Quite how much the treacle-like ground at Aintree took out of the horses will be tested at Fairyhouse today when Jeffell and Merry Gale contest the Oliver Freany and Dan Moore Handicap Chase.
The flying grey Jeffell put in an admirably brave display to win on Grand National day, humping topweight of 12 st to beat Flying Instructor and Lake Kariba. It was a performance that had Arthur Moore marvelling at Jeffell's courage, a virtue that cannot be overestimated today.
Merry Gale ran twice at Aintree, finishing last of five to Escartefique on the Thursday and filling the same spot 24 hours later behind Opera Hat. They were performances that only hinted at Merry Gale's finest hours, but two miles around Fairyhouse has proved a successful cocktail for him before.
Both Jeffell and Merry Gale have clearly satisfied their trainers as to their well-being, but it's impossible to be sure how much hard races take out of horses until they run again. It's worth betting that the in form Michael Cunningham can trump them both with Cable Beach.
Usually a spectacularly jumping front runner, two miles is ideal for Cable Beach who ran Idiots Venture to a length and a half in this race last year despite running from out of the handicap. Cable Beach is a stone out of the handicap again today, but warmed up with a promising third to Mr Baxter Basics at Leopardstown last time. He will love the drying out ground and his undoubted freshness could tip the balance in his favour.
Another horse that ran at Aintree is Cloone Bridge, but he looks a different kettle of fish in the Grade 3 Novice Hurdle. Aidan O'Brien's gelding was not suited by the soft at Liverpool but still kept going to finish third to the impressive Unsinkable Boxer over three miles.
A better indication of the ability of the first-time blinkered Cloone Bridge was his third to French Holly in the Sun Alliance at Cheltenham, and, as today's ground is similar to what it was then, he is taken to reverse previous Thurles form with Strontium.
Nelson's Tipple didn't get very far in Monday's Grand National, being brought down at the first fence, but is a decent staying novice who will have the in form jockey Kieran Gaule on her back in the Beginners Chase.
