13:45 AintreeSat 15 Apr 2m Grd1 Nov Chs

Jonbon is the strongest contender for the EFT Systems Maghull Novices’ Chase. He has shown consistent form both over hurdles and fences, and his only defeat over hurdles was against a top-class horse. His performance in the Arkle at Cheltenham was impressive, despite not jumping as well as usual on tacky ground.

Notlongtillmay is another horse to watch, having won three consecutive Class 3 handicaps over fences and finishing a close second in a Grade 1 at Cheltenham. He has shown improvement since switching to fences and his jumping should be an asset over the sharper test at Aintree.

Calico has also improved this season over fences, with a good performance in a match against Jonbon at Warwick and a handicap win at Doncaster. However, it is uncertain whether he can replicate that level of form against a stronger field in the EFT Systems Maghull Novices’ Chase.

Fusain and Marvel De Cerisy have won their last two and one races over fences, respectively, but both have a lot to find on the figures and would need to show significant improvement to challenge the top two contenders.

14:25 AintreeSat 15 Apr 3m Hcap Hrd

Good Time Jonny looks like the one to beat here, following his impressive win in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham last month. He showed a good turn of foot to power away in the closing stages and a 5lb rise in the weights looks fair. Mill Green and Party Business also have solid records in big-field handicaps over this trip and could be in the mix once again.

West Balboa is an interesting contender, having won the Lanzarote Hurdle in January before being given time to recover. She is still lightly raced and could have more to offer now stepped up to 3m. Outlaw Peter is another improving type who has won his last two starts over around 2m5f and could relish the step up in trip here.

Itchy Feet has shown good form this season, including a second in a Grade 2 and a win in a handicap at Huntingdon. However, he was only midfield in the Pertemps at Cheltenham and his present mark demands a bit more in this competitive race.

Erne River has a bright start to his present campaign, but his latest run in the Rendlesham Hurdle was below par. Bardenstown Lad has not taken to fences this season and also struggled back over hurdles, while Regarding Ruth has been absent for 22 months and may need the run.

Of the others, Moon Hunter has won his last two starts over 2m3f and could be suited by the step up in trip for his handicap debut. Mexico is unexposed at around 3m and comes here on the back of an easy win at Uttoxeter, while Outlaw Peter and Au Fleuron are also interesting contenders.

Overall, Good Time Jonny looks the one to beat, but there are several other interesting contenders in what should be a competitive race.

15:00 AintreeSat 15 Apr 2m4f Grd1 Nov Hrd

Looking at the field for the 2m4f Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, there are several horses that stand out as potential winners.

One of the top contenders is Hermes Allen, who was impressive in the Challow at Newbury and has continued to make good progress. Despite being a disappointing favorite in the Ballymore, his trainer’s history with Challow winners Denman and Bravemansgame suggests he could still be a strong contender.

You Wear It Well is another mare with a strong chance of winning, having recorded a couple of Grade 2 wins against her own sex, including an easy win at the Cheltenham Festival. She is improving and with the 7lb allowance, she could prove to be a dangerous threat.

Crambo has shown potential in his five wins in bumpers/hurdles, and after a disappointing run in the Challow, he bounced back with a victory in a novice/valuable handicap. He is open to further improvement and can’t be ruled out.

Dark Raven looked like a top prospect when winning both bumpers in 2021, and has continued to show promise after making his hurdles debut. With better form in defeat after finishing sixth in the Supreme, he is a serious contender for this race.

Finally, Springwell Bay is a smart performer who looks every bit as good over hurdles. He is coming off an easy win at Wetherby and has not yet reached his limit, making him a live contender in this field.

Overall, these five horses appear to have the best chances of winning the 2m4f Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. However, as with any race, there is always the potential for surprises, so it will be interesting to see how the race unfolds.

15:35 AintreeSat 15 Apr 3m Grd1 Hrd

he JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle is a Grade 1 race featuring some top-quality hurdlers. Here’s my assessment of the horses with the best chances of winning:

Champ is a quality 11-year-old whose form can be inconsistent, but his record indicates that arriving fresh will be a positive for his claims. He won a Grade 2 at Newbury last November and has won over this course and distance before. He could play a leading role.

Flooring Porter is a dual Stayers’ Hurdle winner at Cheltenham, and though not quite at his best this season, including when fourth in the Stayers’ Hurdle last month, it was still a good run and he could improve for it as he didn’t have an ideal preparation. He finished a good second in this race last year, and he is a definite contender.

Sire Du Berlais is an 11-year-old who returned to form to win last month’s Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. He was clear with Flooring Porter when winning this race last year, and can be bang there once more if at his best.

Marie’s Rock is an interesting contender who failed to settle off a slow pace at last month’s Cheltenham Festival. However, she could relish this first crack at a staying trip, and she has powered clear to beat subsequent Stayers’ Hurdle runner-up Dashel Drasher in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in January. She is a possible upsetter.

Dashel Drasher is a Grade 1 chase winner who was runner-up in a Grade 2 chase here last December and has finished second back over hurdles at Cheltenham on his last three starts. He wears first-time cheekpieces here and this prominent-racer is capable of another bold show.

Overall, I think Champ, Flooring Porter, and Sire Du Berlais are the most likely winners, with Marie’s Rock and Dashel Drasher having upset potential.

16:15 AintreeSat 15 Apr 3m1f Hcap Chs

After analyzing the field, here are my top picks for the race:

1. Kinondo Kwetu: This horse has won five handicap chases over 2m6f to 3m1f and has been brought along steadily. He won over C&D on good to soft last year and had wind surgery since then. With tongue tied for the first time, he has a good chance of upping his game again.
2. Gold Cup Bailly: He won over 2m4f and 3m on heavy and soft ground in his first three attempts over fences this season. Although he was unable to lead in a Grade 3 at Naas last month, he remains low mileage and this race is more suitable for him.
3. Beauport: A progressive hurdler who made a good start over fences when winning a Listed race at Carlisle on first run over fences. Although he hasn’t built on that, he shaped better than the distance beaten suggests in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham Festival last month, and his best days are still ahead of him.
4. Shakem Up’Arry: He has shown better form since being tongue tied at around 2m4f, impressing on return at Exeter and putting a lesser Cheltenham run behind him when third in the Plate there last month (both on soft). With less testing ground likely to suit, he has a chance of seeing out a sharp test at this trip.
5. Midnight River: He has a solid chance on form at around 2m4f on good and soft ground this winter, and his gamely win in a Cheltenham handicap on New Year’s Day showed that he is a useful horse. Although his challenge fizzled out in the Plate at Cheltenham last month, fitting a tongue-tie could help.

These are my top picks for the race, but as always, anything can happen on the day, and other horses may surprise us.

17:15 AintreeSat 15 Apr 4m2f Hcap Chs

The Randox Grand National Handicap Chase is always a fiercely contested race, and this year’s renewal is no exception. The field is large and competitive, with several horses boasting strong form coming into the race. Here is my assessment of the most likely winners based on their recent performances and suitability for this gruelling test of stamina:

1. Any Second Now: This horse has come alive in the last two editions of the Grand National, and was unlucky not to win last year when finishing third. He has warmed up nicely with a smooth success at Navan last month and looks to have an excellent chance this year, despite being 8lb higher in the weights.
2. Delta Work: Last year’s third in the race, Delta Work is a proven performer over these fences, having won the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham last month. He’ll be sharper this year and should go close if he can avoid early mistakes.
3. The Big Breakaway: This horse has been in good form this season, finishing second in valuable handicap chases at Haydock and Chepstow. He has been jumping well and the stronger headgear he wears here could see him run a big race.
4. Corach Rambler: This horse is in great form, having won the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival last month. He’s 10lb well-in here and his Scottish yard has won this race before, so he has a strong chance.
5. Galvin: Tough and genuine, Galvin has a good Cheltenham Festival record and was second to Delta Work in a cross-country race last month. He has to meet that one on 7lb worse terms here, but Davy Russell is back in the saddle and he could be in the mix.
6. Ain’t That A Shame: This horse won a maiden in the mud at Gowran five weeks ago and could have a bigger effort in the locker now contesting a marathon handicap. He has Rachael Blackmore on board, who won this race last year.
7. Longhouse Poet: This horse warmed up nicely for a second crack at this by winning at Down Royal last month. He finished held in sixth last year, but is on the same mark and could go better if he can settle better.
8. Mister Coffey: This horse has plenty of ability but also has his quirks. He has been placed in valuable staying handicap chases the last twice, and should stay this distance. If he can put it all together, he could run a huge race.
9. Gaillard Du Mesnil: This horse won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month and was third in last year’s Irish National. He’s proven over this distance and should stay well, but he’ll need to improve his jumping to be in the mix.
10. Capodanno: This second-season chaser won a Grade 1 novice chase last spring and has gone well in big fields. He has the required stamina for this and could run a big race.
11. Noble Yeats has undoubtedly proven his worth in the racing world, having defied his inexperience in chasing to win this race a year ago, beating Any Second Now and becoming the first 7-year-old winner since 1940. His stamina and ability to improve further this season have been impressive, as demonstrated by his fourth-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
    
    With a 19lb higher mark this year, Noble Yeats has shown his adaptability by winning over conventional fences in December and showcasing his staying prowess in two runs at Cheltenham. Despite not being as competitive in the Gold Cup, finishing 15 lengths behind in fourth place, he remains a strong contender for the Grand National.
    
    Given his proven stamina, improvement this season, and previous success in this race, Noble Yeats has a solid chance in the Grand National. However, it’s essential to consider the increased weight and the competition from other horses in the race. Overall, Noble Yeats is a horse to watch in the Grand National, but predicting the winner in such a competitive race is always challenging.

Overall, it’s a very competitive field, but Any Second Now and Delta Work are the two standout performers based on recent form and experience over these fences. The Big Breakaway, Corach Rambler, and Galvin could also be in the mix if they run to their best. It’s always hard to predict the outcome of the Grand National, but I expect a thrilling race with plenty of drama and excitement.

18:20 AintreeSat 15 Apr 2m1f Grd2 NHF

This is a competitive field for the 2m1f Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) with several promising runners in the mix.

Captain Cody stands out as the one to beat after his excellent performance in the Cheltenham Festival’s Champion Bumper, where he finished a close sixth. He has made great strides since his unplaced point-to-point run and has shown his potential with two victories in bumpers, including a Limerick contest that he won easily. His form is the best on offer here, and he could prove hard to beat.

Aslukgoes is also a worthy contender, maintaining an unbeaten record with two wins in bumpers last summer and a Listed win at Newbury in February. He has shown he can handle good ground, but he will have to prove he can cope with the more testing conditions.

Centara is an interesting prospect, winning easily on his debut at Taunton last month. He is open to plenty of improvement, and his yard has won two of the last three runnings of this race. He could be a good each-way bet.

Pour Les Filles has already shown he has plenty of potential, winning a bumper at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. He has untapped potential and could be in with a chance if he continues to progress.

Blizzard Of Oz is the choice of Patrick Mullins and showed improvement to win at Cork last month. He is a useful prospect and should not be ruled out.

Of the others, Beat The Bat, Bertie’s Ballet, and Kinbara could all be in with a chance of placing, but they will have to improve to challenge the top contenders.

Overall, Captain Cody looks the one to beat, with Aslukgoes and Centara the most likely challengers. Pour Les Filles and Blizzard Of Oz could also be in with a chance of causing an upset.