UK/Ire Thursday and Friday

Down but not out so plugging on with Definitly Red in the next. Did not do well in Gold Cup at Cheltenham but this is easier so should have a reasonable chance.

chicken n chips wrote: Down but not out so plugging on with Definitly Red in the next. Did not do well in Gold Cup at Cheltenham but this is easier so should have a reasonable chance.

Horse dislodged the jockey at the 3rd fence, jockey and horse fine, cnc now really out.

Garrick i did have your niggle but Might Bite appears a special beast

Garrick wrote: I hope I don't stick anyone out by making this comment but I have generally found it prudent at the Aintree Festival to play against fancied horses that competed at the Cheltenham Festival In March.

Often the competitive nature of Aintree proves to be a bridge too far for horses returning from their Cheltenham exertions.

I also get the impression that horses are sometimes slung into Aintree if they fell just short of the mark at Cheltenham; often with disappointing outcomes as this outing wasn't initially on their radar.

Break a leg. It's a great meeting.

Two weeks later this year I think, to give the Cheltenham runners more time

Andrew the Abstract wrote: Aintree doesn't get as frenzied a build up as Cheltenham, but it still is equally a hedgehopper's ultimate dream. Here goes my 2 cents
r1: Cyrname. i think this horse has shown marked improvement over fences with a couple of Grade 2's to his CV. Chased terrefort in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novice Chase and arrives fresh! Finian's Oscar just doesn't seem arsed to race, Brain Power in 1st time tongue tie hasn't matched hurdling efforts over fences and will loathe the soft going.

R2: We have a dream. Nicky henderson has the leading hopes here with my selection & the impressive mare Apple's Shakira who races in a 1st time hood. I just think We have a dream has absolutely thrived since arriving from France & is fresh. Apple's Shakira is probably Jp Mcmanus' leading hope for the top spot but overraced in the triumph & has that question over her head if she wants to follow full sister Apple's Jade's win 2 years back.

R3: Might Bite. I absolutely love this beast, and all I needed was the trainer's assurance that he is in good order.

R4:Supasundae. Without last year's winner Beave D'air, a bit of gloss has been taken off. I think jessica Harrington's gelding will destroy these, as he did in the 2m at Leopardstown. Penhill, 3m at Cheltenham was a step too far but this 2m4f trip suits.

R5:Grand Vision. The excellent Jamie Codd gets in the saddle for the first time on this form horse. Wasn't disgraced at Cheltenham either.

R6:Bun Doran. My selection was behind the fav in this last year & I have huge respect for the latter, as well as King's Socks but I'll take the 8/1 on offer any day for Tom George's horse.

R7: Getaway Katie May. My best bet of the day! Jamie Codd once again, and the form behind Champion Bumper winner relegate is the best on offer.

Good luck!

3 winners from this, a second, a 4th, a dissapointing Bun Doran & a faller in grand vision. On to the last at Southwell with a filly I like, & money has been shovelled in.

Da Capo Candy does it easily alright

I guess Min also falls into the same category after bumping Altior at Cheltenham has a chance to get back on winning ways

Dave Scott wrote: I guess Min also falls into the same category after bumping Altior at Cheltenham has a chance to get back on winning ways

That Champion chase defeat by Altior was tough to take, I bet. Min had it in the bag, but the champ just pulled it out of nowhere once he found better ground.

Going with a trebble of Grand Vision, Min and Santini. Santini can reverse form with stablemate OK Corral, with the track to suit, he's a class animal. My bet of the day!

Will also have time for an E/W bet on Storm Home in the opener on his handicap bow, a bit on Elegant Escape in the 3rd.

Cards www.racingpost.com

Mind you, Balka wont be a push over ......

Valuable punting pointers for Friday's race over the National fences
BY JACK HAYNES 6:30PM 12 APR 2018
4.05 Aintree

Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 2m5f, 5yo+ | ITV/RUK

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Ultragold & Shanahan's Turn
It doesn't get any easier for Ultragold but he was very impressive round there last year and ran his best race all season at Aintree in December. He seems to love the track and that can go a long way. Shanahan's Turn hasn't run a lot for us but ran well for a long way last time. He's in real good form and could run well. He's a solid jumper so hopefully he'll run a good race.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of O O Seven & Kilcrea Vale
O O Seven ran very well in this race last year. This is his optimum trip and he likes the fences. Kilcrea Vale has always struck me as a horse who would be suited by the unique test so I'm hopeful he'll take to it well.

Tim Reed, trainer of Indian Temple
If he takes to the fences I'm sure he'll give Harry a great spin. He would have preferred better ground but he's a good jumper and schooled well at Malton and at home over the unique fences. I wish I was out there riding him myself - I'll be riding every fence with Harry [Reed, son] from the stands! Harry has got a lot of experience and he's twice as good as his old man already. It has been a great season for him and the future looks bright.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Devils Bride
He hasn't won for a long time but seems in good order and is capable of a good run in a wide-open race.

Kerry Lee, trainer of Top Gamble
We were all very proud of his third in the Grand Annual. He's got a lot of weight but he's in great form for this first try over the National fences.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Clarcam
He has loads of experience. He was down the field in the same race last year and we're hoping for better this time. He's in good order.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Art Mauresque and Bouvreuil
They would ideally prefer better ground, but Art Mauresque has been running very well on soft ground, especially when second to Waiting Patiently at Kempton. He's better left-handed but is on a tough old mark. Bouvreuil has been waiting all winter for better ground but could run okay all the same as he's nice and fresh.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Flying Angel and Bigbadjohn
Flying Angel has had a wind op since his last run and is in very good form. He jumps well so hopefully will go nicely over the National fences and he's starting to look quite nicely treated. Bigbadjohn won well on his debut for us and is another fine jumper. The soft ground would be a worry for him - he would prefer better ground.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Polidam
He's in very good form. The trip and ease in the ground will suit and he should take to the fences well.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Vibrato Valtat
He's a high-class horse and I'm hopeful he can go well if taking to the fences. He could be a very exciting contender. He loves his jumping and Aintree. I'm just hoping the ground dries out a little.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Midnight Shot
I've always thought he'd go well over the National fences - if it was decent ground I'd be very hopeful, but the ease in the ground is a concern.

Ballyalton - Brian Hughes(middle) wins
Ian Williams, trainer of Ballyalton
He's been running well all season and ran a very good race at the festival. He came out of that race in great form and running him over the National fences has always been in my mind. He didn't make the cut for the National but Tom [O'Brien] jumped off him at Cheltenham and said the Topham would be right up his street.

David Dennis, trainer of Deauville Dancer
I think he'll stay and he's a very good jumper, so I'm hopeful he'll take to the fences. He's better on a sounder surface but handles soft ground too.

Jimmy Moffatt, trainer of Highland Lodge
I'm very pleased with the going description - that combined with the trip will be ideal for him. He's very well and we're very hopeful.

William Kennedy, rider of Beau Bay
I schooled him over some National fences this morning and we were very happy with him. He hasn't been out of the first three throughout the whole campaign, and if taking to the fences he goes there with a good chance.

Oliver Sherwood, trainer of Minella On Line
He was running a cracker before falling at Fakenham last time. The ease in the ground will be fine for him and he just needs a bit of luck in running.

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Theatre Territory
She's been very consistent without winning this season and her form is very solid. She schooled really well over the National fences - she stays, jumps and has a nice low weight. I'm hopeful she'll run very well.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Mystifiable
He ran really well over the National fences in December and loved jumping around there. He's in great form, ran well over a shorter trip at Newbury last time and has a nice low weight.

Cheers bob we have two threads running but good punting