ASTON Rowant trainer Alan Hill has compared Broken Eagle favourably to his two winners of the Randox Health Foxhunters’ Open Hunters Chase from his riding days, writes RUSSELL SMITH.

Hill partnered Border Burg to victory in the amateur riders’ contest over Aintree’s National fences in 1987, before striking again on Sheer Jest in 1995.

Now he is seeking a first success in Thursday’s contest as a trainer with Broken Eagle, winner of 11 of his 14 point-to-points, and to be ridden by his son, Joe.

Hill reported of the 25-1 shot, which he co-owns with Ealing-based marketing man Jake Exelby and his wife, Caroline: “Everything with the horse is in brilliant order. He has worked awesomely and now we are free-wheeling in.

“He will either love or loathe the fences, but I think he will love them.

“I rode Border Burg and Sheer Jest, and he is a very similar horse in that he travels well and he is just that bit flamboyant.”

Joe added: “He is about sixth or seventh in the betting and he deserves to be on his pointing form. I personally think he will take to the fences.

“If it comes up good ground it will be perfect for him. We would like it quicker, but you are never going to get quicker up there.”