Gibbs Island heading to Aintree's Grand National Meeting

RaceShare’s talented young hurdler, Gibbs Island, has been declared to run at Aintree’s Grand National meeting in Thursday’s Grade 1 Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.

Despite the defection of Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba, the race is still a hot contest, but offers the best race profile for Gibbs Island, running against horses of the same age and of similar experience. After failing to settle and run his race in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, trainer Tom Lacey has declared Gibbs Island with a hood. This should help him to settle better in the race prelims, and in the race itself.

A fast, flat, right-handed track should suit him as he performed so well at Haydock Park under similar conditions, when a run-away winner of the Class 2 Victor Ludorum Hurdle in February.

Thursday’s race includes recent Cheltenham Festival winner, Putyourhandstogether, who couldn’t have been much more impressive last time out and is the expected favourite. Dan Skelton runs the unbeaten Live Conti, who’s totally unexposed, and with Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins both fielding runners, it’s seriously competitive.

We’re hopeful we’ll see the best of Gibbs Island, and it’s a huge thrill to enjoy a runner at one of the most high-class racing events of the Jump’s calendar.