Aintree For Afsoun Afsoun is set for a step up in trip in the Scottish and Newcastle Aintree Hurdle next month after snatching third in the Champion Hurdle last week.The Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old belied his starting price of 28-1 in finishing just over three lengths behind Sublimity, but connections feel he was always going a stride too quick for comfort.He will now attempt to gain compensation in the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One Liverpool contest, in which Champion flop Detroit City could also feature.'We are hoping it might suit him better as he was flat out for a lot of way in the Champion Hurdle but stayed on well up the hill,' said Michael Meagher, racing manager to owner Trevor Hemmings.Afsoun had previously chased home Straw Bear at Wincanton and the more positive showing at Prestbury Park came as no surprise.'We felt afterwards that he ran a little bit flat that day before and Nicky then freshened him up for Cheltenham and he ran a much better race there,' Meagher added.Also likely to carry the famous Hemmings silks at Aintree is Henderson's Crozan, who took a crashing fall when leading the Ryanair Chase field last Thursday.'The idea at the moment is to go for the Melling Chase with him as he's fine after the race,' Meagher told At The Races.'Two and a half miles of the Mildmay course should suit him round there so that's the plan at the minute.'(C) PA Sport
