Dual Coral Cup winner Langer Dan debuts in Grade One class in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle. Trainer Dan Skelton said the eight-year-old developed stomach ulcers throughout the winter, which hampered his form.
He returned to his best at Cheltenham, winning by three and a half lengths to become the first dual winner of the ultra-competitive handicap. He now tackles Bob Olinger and ImpaireEt Passe in an eight-horse field.
"He's up in class, running in a Grade One for the first time, I think, which is very exciting," Skelton added.
Henry de Bromhead's Bob Olinger missed the Cheltenham Festival after finishing second in the Irish Champion Hurdle, his primary goal all season, over his optimum two and a half miles.
Rachael Blackmore told Betfair, "I'm really looking forward to riding Bob Olinger in the Aintree Hurdle."
"He ran well in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival, finishing second to Champion Hurdler State Man. He's in great form at home, and hopefully, he can keep running like he has all season. We couldn't be happier and are excited for him."
Luccia, trained by Nicky Henderson, ran a career-best third in the Champion Hurdle while several of her stablemates were under a cloud. Her trainer wanted to test a longer journey.
Henderson told Unibet, "The line of thinking with taking her up in trip is that we haven't really got anyplace else to go other than Punchestown for the two-mile mares' hurdle where Lossiemouth would turn up."