Tea for Two Trumps Cue Card

Potts’ new stable jockey enjoys a powerful start and Henderson scores a one-two.

AFTER this year’s Cheltenham, domestic stables always looked like they would do better at Aintree, particularly as the principal Irish superpowers of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott seem to be keeping their Festival winners back for Punchestown.

Although Aintree is all about one race as far as the rest of the world is concerned, there are no less than 11 Grade Ones on offer over the three days.

There were several themes running through these, including the victory of Lizzie Kelly on Tea For Two in the Betway Bowl and Nicky Henderson continuing to pile the pressure on Paul Nicholls in the run-up to the trainers’ title. Plus, Robbie Power’s successful start to his job as stable jockey to Alan and Ann Potts and after Colin Tizzard’s rotten Cheltenham, he could do no wrong at Aintree.

Lost in all this was the victory on Thursday night (6 April) of Dame Rose in the bumper. She was ridden by Alain Cawley, who had just returned from five-anda-half months on the sidelines, having dislocated both shoulders in a fall in the autumn.

KELLY’S DOUBLE TALLY