Going prediction: Aintree good-good to soft in places; Wincanton good.
2:10 (Wincanton) Stan James Elite Hurdle (Grade 2 Limited Handicap) (Class 1) – 2m
Sceau Royal made an impressive return at Cheltenham two weeks ago when running out a wide-margin winner against his own age group and Alan King’s charge looks to have every chance of making it back-to-back victories here. This presents a much stiffer task up against some more experienced rivals however, but the biggest threat may come from fellow 4-year-old ZUBAYR. The Adonis winner has a useful 6lb in hand over his Triumph Hurdle rival and produced his best effort to date when last seen finishing third to Footpad in a Grade 3 in France back in May. His win at Kempton proves he goes well fresh and he’s already won over C&D (albeit in a minor novice hurdle event), and so looks to have decent chance. North Hill Harvey is another second-season hurdler who reached a useful level over timber and he has to be respected on what looks a fair opening mark. Of the rest, Rayvin Black should be race-fit following a recent spin but may just struggle on this faster surface, while the same can be said for the 10-year-old Melodic Rendezvous, despite his lowly mark.
Selection: ZUBAYR
Alternative: SCEAU ROYAL
2:40 (Aintree) Betfred Supports the Btrc Hurdle (Class 2) – 2m 4f
A tough race to try and weigh-up with all five runners having questions to answer. Un Temps Pour Tout is likely to have his supporters following an impressive performance when winning a Grade 3 handicap chase at the Festival and the 7-year-old’s last run over hurdles was also a success having run away with a Grade 1 over 3m 1f at Auteuil in June 2015. Back in third that day was ZARKANDAR and, with the likelihood that David Pipe sees this as more of a stepping stone for bigger things to come over fences, Paul Nicholls’ classy hurdler is taken to come out on top this time around. The 9-year-old missed all of last season with injury and will need to overcome a 517-day absence since that run in France, but he has a great record fresh and reports are he’s been in good form back at home. Mister Miyagi could prove to be the biggest danger to the selection having shown some smart form over hurdles in his novice season, but a 4lb penalty may prove the deciding factor against a horse of Zarkandar’s quality. Of the other two, Vyta Du Roc looks best placed to challenge having been switched back to hurdles for his return, although his best days are certain to come chasing over further.
Selection: ZARKANDAR
Alternative: MISTER MIYAGI
3:10 (Aintree) Betfred Lotto ‘100k Cash Giveaway’ Handicap Chase (Class 2) – 2m 4f
Orbasa has improved for every run since joining Paul Nicholls last winter and the form of his latest effort when finishing runner-up by just a length to Definitly Red looks very strong. Having been so lightly-raced, there should be plenty more to come from the 5-year-old, but he may just struggle against one or two more experienced rivals first time up. The 10-year-old Baileys Concerto certainly fits that bill and shouldn’t be discounted at the foot of the weights, but preference is for another C&D winner in SPLASH OF GINGE. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge hasn’t managed to get his head in front since landing a Grade 3 handicap chase at Cheltenham back in January 2015, but he’s 12lb lower than at this point last year and looks well treated following an encouraging reappearance run at Chepstow last month, so he’s the pick. Harry Fry has always been quite keen on Thomas Brown since his debut win over fences at Ascot last season and he should be suited by a return to two and a half miles, which seems to be his best trip. Of the remainder, Some Buckle has to be respected for the in-form Tom George, while Mr Mole is another who has recently left the Paul Nicholls yard and could well feature if on a going day.
Selection: SPLASH OF GINGE
Alternative: THOMAS BROWN
Over the sticks 