Small Irish contingent amongst the entries for Aintree Foxhunters

44 horses have been entered for The Randox Health Foxhunters at Aintree, with just seven of these trained this side of the Irish Sea.

The 2m5f contest is set to take place on Thursday the 4th of April and is restricted to a field of 30. Having won four of the last five renewals, the Irish are typically dominant in this unique test and there it appears to be quite a select Irish contingent who may well take their place in this 2019 renewal.

David Christie is a well-known for his handling of Hunter Chasers and the Northern Ireland based trainer has both Road To Riches and Marinero amongst the entries.

The former is not only a dual Grade 1 winner over fences, but also took the Galway Plate back in 2014 when in the care of Noel Meade.The now 12-year-old ran out a facile winner 14-length winner on his second hunter chase start at Carlisle recently and certainly couldn’t be discredited here. 

Marinero has only had one start this season, but did record a wide margin victory in an Ascot Hunters Chase in March 2018. He is one of five horses that owner/rider David Maxwell has to choose from in the race.

Gordon Elliott is no stranger to success over these obstacles and has two entered in this £45,000 contest. Kruzhlinin has won all seven his starts between-the-flags this season and couldn’t be in better form for this.

The Meath trainer may also be represented by Ucello Conti, a dual Hunter Chase winner this season, who recently finished a respectable fifth in the Cheltenham Foxhunters.

While Coastal Tiep may have pulled up in that contest, the seven-year-old is a dual open winner for the Crawfords a certainly isn’t out of place here.

Recent Down Royal Hunters Chase winner Burning Ambition looks to be back in top form, having previously been sent off favourite for the 2018 renewal of the Cheltenham Foxhunters. The eight-year-old should be well suited by the 2m5f trip and could well have his chance here for Pierce Power.

Last year’s winner Balnaslow completes the line-up for Graham McKeever and the 12-year-old bids to bounce back to form over these unique fences.