‘Double green’ colours aimed more towards Aintree this year

Leading owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede have turned their attentions to Aintree’s Grand National Festival this term and could have just the two runners at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

The ‘double green’ team are no strangers to success at Prestbury Park and enjoyed a double at the 2023 Festival when star performers El Fabiolo and Impaire Et Passe both stormed up the Cheltenham hill for victory.

It was Jasmin De Vaux who returned their silks to the winner’s enclosure 12 months ago and he looks set to be in action once again in the Cotswolds in the Albert Bartlett on Gold Cup day.

However, the majority of their star performers look set to be saved for Merseyside, where last year’s Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles looks to have leading claims in the English equivalent.

“We’ve pulled right back on Cheltenham this year and are going to focus on Aintree,” said Anthony Bromley, racing manager to Munir and Souede. “Jasmin De Vaux and Karafon might be the only runners we have at Cheltenham.

“It will be Aintree for El Fabiolo, Matata, Impaire Et Passe, Intense Raffles, James Du Berlais and Blue Lord – the owners are not coming over this year for Cheltenham but will be at Aintree, so we’re concentrating on that meeting.”