1.45 - Aintree - Cloudy Dream. 3 pts win. Available at 100/30.
It was officially good ground when Top Notch ran a blinder in finishing one length second to Yorkhill in the JLT Novices Chase at Cheltenham. If he hadn't made a crucial mistake at the second last it may have been very close between the pair. That makes him the one to beat here and he is a thoroughly likeable and genuine individual. He's not very big but he is athletic and doesn't seem phased by fences whatsoever. His low jumping technique, similar to that of stablemate Buveur D'Air, looks good when it's effective but it can catch him out and he can make the odd mistake. His biggest obstacle here may not be the fences but the ground. The surface was heavily watered overnight at Cheltenham (10 mm) and it could be argued that there was a good deal more cut in the surface than the official going suggested. It's likely to be quicker here and he could find himself going a stride faster than ideal. He is still likely to prove hard to beat but he faces a serious rival in the shape of Cloudy Dream. He found Altior six lengths too good in the Arkle at Cheltenham but there was a long way back to the third and, in time, it could turn out to be a performance of note. His profile over his five Chases is one of a progressive horse who is not ground dependent. He has yet to race over this far but he was a winner over an extended 19 furlongs over hurdles and he has finished his races strongly over shorter.
4.05 - Aintree:
Dineur. 0.75 pts e/w. Available at 25/1. Paddy Power, Betvictor - 1/5 odds first 4)
Distime. 0.75 pts e/w. Available at 25/1. (Betvictor - 1/5 odds first 4)
Top Cat Henry. 0.5 pts e/w. Available at 40/1. (Paddy Power - 1/5 odds first 4)
Foxhunter Chases are not normally races that interest us but the normally strong favourites could be worth taking on. On The Fringe finished fourth at Cheltenham and it could be argued he was given a lot to do but he had his chances and his jockey described him as 'a bit laboured'. The winner of the race, Pacha Du Polder, didn't seem to get home here last season but his chances of doing so this time round are enhanced by the better ground. It remains to be seen how much the Cheltenham race has taken out of him and he looks worth opposing. At much bigger prices the trio of Dineur, Distime and Top Cat Henry could get competitive and have chances of making the frame at least, with some firms paying out to four places. Dineur was second in this race last season at 50/1 and warmed up for this by running second in a hunter Chase at Chepstow last month. He seems to like this track and, given the way he took to these fences last season, it looks likely he will attack this race with plenty of zest. He has a good jockey on board who has a profitable 25% strike rate over fences under rules in recent seasons. Distime was fourth in the Topham here last season and has had just the one start since. That saw him finish third in a Hunter Chase at Ludlow last month and, although well beaten, he is likely to come on for that effort and he looks to have been aimed specifically at this race. He has also finished placed here in the Grand Sefton so he has shown the fences hold no fears. All his wins under rules have come on ground softer than good but he has a Point win on quicker so he will not be inconvenienced if the ground does dry out. The booking of Katie Walsh takes the eye and suggests he is not here to just enjoy the sunshine on his back. Top Cat Henry has a bit to find with the best of these on Official ratings but he was sixth in the Grand Sefton and the Topham here last season and has been purchased with this race in mind since. He was an emphatic winner of a Hunter Chase at Musselburgh last month and is partnered by an experienced jockey who is 1 from 2 over fences here in recent seasons.
4.40 - Aintree - Double W's. 2 pts win. Available at 6/1.
5.15 - Aintree - Irish Roe. 1 pt e/w. Available at 14/1.