2.00 Liverpool Hurdle (3m)
Only once has the World Hurdle winner followed up here and this year's winner Big Bucks did have a hard race at Cheltenham, so I'm looking to take him on. MIGHTY MAN (5/1 Sportingbet) was beaten a long way at Cheltenham, but he has been trained specifically for this race, which he won in both 2006 and 2007, and gets a handy 8lb from Big Buck's.
2.35 Anniversary Novices' Hurdle (2m)
Walkon and Starluck, second and fourth in the Triumph Hurdle respectively, are vying for favouritism, but neither will cope with HEBRIDEAN (7/2 Coral), who missed Cheltenham for this race. His trainer Paul Nicholls was sounding bullish in his Racing Post column last Saturday, saying: "I'm very, very (note the second "very") happy with him and he's in the best form since he's been here." That'll do for me!
3.10 Totesport Bowl Chase (3m 1f)
After writing DENMAN (10/11 Ladbrokes) off after his Kempton defeat, I'll be eating my words if he wins this in the style of the horse of last season. Going back left-handed will help him do just that and I reckon the rest playing for places - banker!
3.45 Fox Hunters' Chase (2m6f)
The best horse according to the ratings is Agus A Vic, who comes here fresh after missing Cheltenham. He's by far the most likely winner, but neither trip or ground are ideal and current odds of around 7/2 look stingy. THEATRE KNIGHT clearly loves these fences, having been placed in a Topham and a Grand Sefton, and he's an each-way price - 33/1 with bet365.
4.20 Red Rum Handicap Chase (2m)
A wide-open handicap in which several can be fancied, but David Pipe's I'M SO LUCKY (20/1 William Hill) should go well at a price. His best form has been on flat tracks such as this, including when second in a competitive handicap hurdle at this meeting last year, and good ground suits.
4.55 Manifesto Novices' Chase (2m4f)
Chapoturgeon will be tough to beat if reproducing the same form that saw him win the Jewson Novices' Chase in impressive style. However, Cheltenham and Aintree are like chalk and cheese and horses struggle to double-up, so take him on with TARTAK (11/2 Blue Square). Tom George's runner ran a cracker to be fifth in the Arkle but is likely to be seen to better effect on this flatter track and over an additional four furlongs.
5.30 Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle (2m4f)
A trappy race to finish with but it might be worth giving SUNNYHILLBOY (12/1 Paddy Power) a chance to prove his festival running all wrong now he is back up in trip and with more patient tactics likely to be reinstated. AP rides.
Selections:
Mighty Man
Hebridean - NAP
Denman
Theatre Knight (each-way)
I'm So Lucky (each-way) - NEXT BEST
Tartak
Sunnyhillboy