BETWAY AINTREE

HURDLE (GRADE 1) 2M4F

IN a dramatic Aintree Hurdle, Jessica Harrington’s Supasundae gained a richly deserved Grade 1 victory, keeping on dourly to deny dual champion Buveur D’Air with Ch’tibello running a blinder in third for Ann & Alan Potts Limited.

Wille Mullins suffered a double setback as Faugheen was pulled up by Ruby Walsh and Melon came down two out when still holding every chance. It was something of a grind for the first three as the ground deteriorated in the rain.

Walsh was keen to lead on Faugheen but the horse seemed to lose his action turning away from the stands and the situation was promptly accepted. If this was his last public outing, the former champion will owe no one anything.

Paul Townend pressed on and Melon opened up a handy lead, though Geraghty was sitting quietly enough on Buveur D’Air. He gradually closed the gap, with Supasundae also making ground and Ch’tibello coming widest in the straight.

When Melon came down it was Supasundae, 15/2, and Robbie Power who battled on to land the spoils as Buveur D’Air, a faller when seeking his third Champion Hurdle, proved unable to go with him on the run-in. The margin was just over a length in the end.

“He’s a very tough horse and never gets the credit he deserves,” Power said. “I was quite comfortable turning for home because I thought Buveur D’Air was flat to the boards. I was as well, but I knew he’d keep finding. This two and a half is probably his best trip because he finds two miles too sharp. He ‘s only run one poor race in the past couple of years and he’s a star.”

Nicky Henderson said of Buveur D’Air: “Things haven’t worked out and he’s not had a very lucky year. He might go to Punchestown, but I’ll talk to J.P. and see what he thinks, but it will be ground dependent.”

Ruby Walsh reported Faugheen “fine and sound but just didn’t feel right”. He was found to have an irregular heart rate.