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14:20 Aintree This is a race Nicky Henderson has dominated in recent years having won four of the last five renewals, including last year with Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D’Air. He saddles River Wylde who was third in the Supreme at Cheltenham when jus failing to get up the hill, so the Aintree course is one that should play to his strengths because he does have plenty of pace about. If he can replicate his Dovecote performance then he does look the one to beat. Mount Mews is the one to regard as the danger. The Grade 2 he won at Kelso did fall apart but the manner in which he went through the race was quite stylish despite it in deep conditions. He has form on this better ground and is by Presenting, so should cope for a trainer who had success in this two years ago. This will be easier than the Champion Hurdle Moon Racer found himself in but I’d have to be concerned given his previous injury record. The Unit is an upwardly mobile horse who has won over further and could have more to offer. RIVER WYLDE (WIN)
14:50 Aintree Might Bite arrives here having beaten stablemate Whisper by a nose in the RSA at Cheltenham last month, however the winning margin would have been a lot bigger if he hadn’t idled and almost pulled himself up after jumping the last. He clearly has bags of ability and would easily have the measure of his rivals here if his jumping and temperament holds up so despite the risks associated with his recent exploits he cannot be opposed. Whisper won the Liverpool Hurdle in 2014 and 2015, his only two previous visits to Aintree, and has two wins and two 2nds to his name from his four runs over fences. He looks the most likely to benefit from any mishaps from the favourite and his excellent course form stands him in good stead but based on their respective runs in the RSA he looks booked for the runner-up spot. Dan Skelton has notched up a 30% winning strike rate over the last two weeks and his runner Virgilio also has a great record at the course, winning two from three. He has made the frame in all completed runs over fences and plugged on for second last time out, his first attempt over three miles, although was still twelve lengths behind the winner and would have been well behind Might Bite had he finished the race. MIGHT BITE (WIN)
15:25 Aintree Last year’s winner God’s Own was below par in the Champion Chase when producing a couple of sketchy leaps, which knocked the stuffing out of him but he does thrive around here with form figures of 212 with his most recent second coming in the Old Roan in Ocotber. He is on the shortlist with him enjoying these surroundings. The vote goes to Sub Lieutenant who was given a quiet ride in the Ryanair when second behind Un De Sceaux. His run prior to that saw him finish second at Thurles behind a stronger stayer in the shape of Sizing John. This eight year old is reliable in the jumping department and he should relish these conditions. Top Gamble can’t be discounted on the way he finished off in the Champion Chase. He nearly snatched third and he’ll be better suited by this flatter track, so at the prices could be one to sneak into a place. SUB LIEUTENANT (WIN)
16:05 Aintree Any thirty runner race has the potential to throw up a few surprises and the Grade 3 Topham Chase has given us a wide range of winners based on ratings, weight and odds over the last few years. The early favourite is Go Conquer who represents last years winning stable and ran well for a long way in the Ultima at Cheltenham. He should appreciate the drop back in trip to a similar distance to which he has won and placed over early in 2016 and rates a reasonable each way option in a tricky looking race. The most prolific stat here is that Nicky Henderson won this race in 2013, 2014 and 2015 with three separate runners and as such O O Seven and Gold Present both deserve a mention. Preference of the two would be for O O Seven who is re-united with jockey Nico De Boinville who was on board for his first victory over fences and has an excellent strike rate for the yard. He’s made the frame in seven from ten over jumps and could sneak a place at relatively large odds, especially with six places available at a few different bookies. Others to mention include Eastlake and As De Mee who are both winners over course and distance, Eastlake returning to defend his crown after victory here last year and As De Mee who races for a Paul Nicholls yard in excellent form. GO CONQUER (E/W) O O SEVEN (E/W)
16:40 Aintree The Worlds End was going oh so smoothly when coming down in the Albert Bartlett two out. The question is whether his confidence will be dented by that mishap but he has strong claims if remaining upright. Constantine Bay did well to take fourth in that race after being hampered by the fall of The Worlds End proving he stays well and that should see him in the shake up here. Conditions suit and you have to expect a big run from Nicky Henderson’s charge. West Approach returns to novice company after being pulled up in the Stayers Hurdle and with the tongue-tie being applied there is a doubt whether if he sees out his races. Beyond Conceit may have been outpaced by the return to two-miles for the Supreme. Up in trip and the tongue-tie on could see him in a better light. Moulin A Vent was a beaten favourite at Thurles last time in heavy ground but I’m expecting better here. Today’s better conditions should suit, he’s shaped as if he’ll stay three miles and having bypassed Cheltenham comes here fresher than the majority of those towards the top of the betting, so he looks to have each-way claims. MOULIN A VENT (E/W)