Stars bids to shine again in Stayers Thousand Stars is the only Irish challenger in the Silver Cross Stayers' Hurdle at Aintree today. Willie Mullins' admirable grey has been placed in the Aintree Hurdle for the last three years and steps back up in trip on his return to the track following two disappointing runs over shorter distances this season. Jockey Paul Townend said: "He's gone for the Aintree Hurdle a couple of times and never won it, but he's always run a big race there. He was disappointing the last day, but he seems to be coming back to himself and if it (Aintree) lights him up again hopefully we can nick a bit of prize-money." Nick Scholfield is confident the step up to three miles will not be a problem for Melodic Rendezvous. Jeremy Scott's stable star has enjoyed another fine campaign so far, winning the Elite Hurdle and the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton, as well as clinching the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock. The Champion Hurdle itself proved a bridge too far, with Melodic Rendezvous coming home seventh of the eight finishers, but Scholfield feels his mount will come into his own over longer distances. He said: "It is a big step up for him, going up from two miles to three, but I have no worries about the trip. We could have run in the two-and-a-half-mile race on Thursday (Aintree Hurdle), but with The New One in there, we just felt this was the better option. "I have always been of the opinion he would stay three miles in time. The rain hasn't arrived that was forecast, but I think the ground should be fine for him with the trip in mind. He beat Zarkandar in the Kingwell Hurdle and we take him on again, so we'll see what happens. This race will tell us a lot about where we're heading with him next season." The Rebecca Curtis-trained At Fishers Cross, third behind More Of That and Annie Power in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham, will be the likely favourite in the hands of Tony McCoy. Curtis said: "I'm really happy with him, he seems in great form. He came out of the Cheltenham run really well and we're expecting a good run."
