Langer Dan tackles Grade One company for first time at Aintree

• Published date: 11 April 2024
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

The eight-year-old had struggled for form during the winter but trainer Dan Skelton reported the gelding had suffered from stomach ulcers over that period

He was right back to his very best at Cheltenham, however, winning by 3½ lengths to become the first dual winner of the ultra-competitive handicap and he now faces top-level scorers Bob Olinger and Impaire Et Passe in a field of eight.

“He’s up in class, running in a Grade One for the first time I think, which is very exciting,” said Skelton.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for first two in the betting [Bob Olinger and Impaire Et Passe] and they’re not going to be easy horses to beat, but our horse is in great form and put up a career-best in the Coral Cup last time.

“I think he’s a player anyway, but whether he can beat the two fancied ones or not we’ll see.”

Henry de Bromhead’s Bob Olinger missed the Cheltenham Festival having finished second in the Irish Champion Hurdle as this has been his main target all season, over his ideal trip of 2½ miles.

“I’m really looking forward to riding Bob Olinger in the Aintree Hurdle,” said Rachael Blackmore.

“He was really good in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.

“It was great to feel the old Bob Olinger spark again this season. He really felt back to himself.

“When you have ridden a horse who has the ability that he has, it’s...