Tripoli Flyer seeking Top compensation at Aintree

Fergal O’Brien is keeping his fingers crossed Tripoli Flyer’s late Cheltenham Festival defection can prove a blessing in disguise ahead of the TrustATrader Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.

Runner-up to unbeaten stablemate Horaces Pearl in the Grade Two bumper at last year’s Grand National meeting, the six-year-old has since won three of his four starts over hurdles, including an impressive Grade Two success in the Dovecote at Kempton in February.

O’Brien readied his charge for a tilt at the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Prestbury Park last month, only for him to be ruled out of the traditional Festival curtain-raiser on the morning of the race after he was found to have a high temperature.

The Ravenswell Farm handler is hoping compensation awaits on Merseyside, saying: “Tripoli Flyer is in great form, Johnny (Burke) is very happy with him and Beth, who looks after him and rides him, is very happy with him.

“I’d have no hesitation over his level of ability and he obviously ran well at Aintree last year, so that ticks another box.

“We’re looking forward to it and fingers crossed he goes there with a good chance.”

The hot favourite is Gordon Elliott’s Romeo Coolio, whose third-placed finish behind Kopek Des Bordes and William Munny in the Supreme sets an exacting standard.

“It was a very good run at Cheltenham the last day and if he runs to that level of form, he shouldn’t be too far away,” said Elliott.

“We’re happy with him since Cheltenham and he’s in good form. He’ll go out in trip in time, but for now we’re happy at two miles.”

Willie Mullins saddles the Supreme fifth and 10th in Salvator Mundi and Karbau as he bids for back-to-back victories following Mystical Power’s success 12 months ago.

The only mare in the field is Ben Pauling’s Diva Luna, who impressed in winning at this meeting 12 months ago and ran her best race over hurdles so far when third in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham three weeks ago.

Pauling said: “I was delighted with the way she ran at Cheltenham. I thought it was a big ask for her to come back to that form off the back of a much lesser performance at Sandown and a tricky season, so I was genuinely delighted with what she showed.

“She’s come out of the race in very, very good order and looks a million dollars. She won at this meeting last year and if she doesn’t bounce from Cheltenham, I think she’s going to be bang there as if she doesn’t bounce she could improve.

“She’s not a million miles off on ratings. Romeo Coolio is there, but apart from him there’s Tripoli Flyer and I’d like to think we’ll be very competitive against him with our allowance.

“It’s where I hoped she’d be at the start of the season, she’s an exceptional jumper and I honestly think she’ll run a big race. I can’t wait really.”