L'Unique takes the Aintree opener for King Alan King won the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree for the fourth time in six years with his filly L'Unique on Thursday. Wayne Hutchinson stuck to the inside rail all the way around in a prominent position on the 10/1 chance as Irish Saint took them along up front. In the straight Hutchinson pulled out L'Unique to mount a challenge up the centre of the track and she saw it out well to deny the late challenge of Runswick Royal (20/1). Irish Saint (3/1) plugged on for third but Nicky Henderson's Rolling Star (5/2 favourite) disappointed again. Fred Winter winner Flaxen Flare finished fourth under Davy Condon for Gordon Elliott at 5/1. King said: "I think not running at Cheltenham probably helped her and she seems to go on any ground. "Beforehand I'd have been happy with being in the first four but that's a wonderful start. "That's her for the season as we resisted entering for Punchestown. She'll have a good summer off and there are lot of a mares' hurdles to look at for next year." Hutchinson said: "It's a fantastic way to kick off. Full credit to the guv'nor. He decided to bypass Cheltenham as he thought it wouldn't quite suit her. "Mentally she wasn't quite ready and the extra three weeks has done her the world of good." Ian Hamilton, husband of trainer Ann Hamilton, who saddled 20-1 runner-up Runswick Royal, said: "First would have been better but they (bookmakers) didn't consider us little permit holders. "We've been here four times and had two winners, a second and a pulled up. "We'll finish him off now and he'll jump a fence one day."
