2.00 Mersey Novices' Hurdle (2m4f)
CAPE TRIBULATION (7/2 bet365) seemed to run out of gas last time in the Albert Bartlett over 3m which was a bit surprising as I thought he was an out-and-out stayer. Before that, he had won his first two starts over hurdles in the style of a good horse and I'm prepared to give him another chance now he's dropping back in distance.
2.35 Maghull Novices' Chase (2m)
This looks a match between Tatenen and KALAHARI KING (13/8 bet365), with preference for the latter. Ferdy Murphy's eight-year-old lost out by a whisker in the Arkle and the combination of a flat track and fast ground (which won't suit Tatenen) here should see him improve again - banker material.
3.10 Aintree Hurdle (2m4f)
Champion Hurdle second Celestial Halo is almost certain to go off favourite, but he had a hard race at Cheltenham and takes on fresher rivals here, which makes him a lay in my opinion. Al Eile should make a bold attempt to emulate Morley Street's remarkable achievement of four Aintree Hurdle victories, but I just prefer the chances of CATCH ME (11/2 Paddy Power), who was good enough to finish sixth in last year's Champion Hurdle and is much better over this sort of trip
3.45 John Smith's Handicap Chase (3m1f)
Connections of Maljimar will be hoping for some compensation after their horse just got beat at Cheltenham and then missed out on getting into the National by one - talk about unlucky and they say these things come in threes! He's respected but as he didn't seem to quite get home at the Festival over this trip, preference is for PETER POLE (15/2 Stan James), who has dotted up in two mickey mouse races since joining Tim Vaughan from France but looks well up to winning in this higher grade.
4.20 Grand National (4m4f)
The big one and this year's renewal looks as open as I can remember. One horse I can't have winning is the favourite My Will, who doesn't jump well enough in my opinion and has too much weight (11st 4lb). My advice would be stick to horses in the 10st 6lb to 10st 9lb weight bracket, which narrows it down to eight. Of these, Rambling Minster has the most obvious chance, but he's plenty short enough now and I'd rather back IRISH INVADER (25/1 Coral), BROOKLYN BROWNIE (33/1 Betfred) and HIMALAYAN TRAIL (33/1 Skybet) at bigger prices. They'll probably bring each other down at the first so save half your stake and back them win only.
4.55 John Smith's Handicap Hurdle (2m)
SEVEN IS MY NUMBER won't be much of a price but I'm not going to put up anything against him as he has the look of a good thing after his excellent second in the Imperial Cup after being hampered. He's up 9lb for that but is surely much better than what he's shown so far and the talented Aidan Coleman does the steering. I'm hoping for 4/1 which might be wishful thinking.
5.30 Mares Only National Hunt Flat Race (2m1f)
I'm loathe to tip up another favourite but LIDAR was massively impressive when winning at Donny last time and is a fresh horse having skipped Cheltenham to wait for this. His trainer Alan King has been in blinding form at this meeting and he can sign off in style. Snap up the best morning-line price, bearing in mind that bet365, William Hill and Stan James all go best odds.
Selections:
Cape Tribulation
Kalahari King - NAP
Catch Me
Peter Pole
Irish Invader / Brooklyn Brownie / Himalayan Trail (all win only)
Seven Is My Number - NEXT BEST
Lidar