Rory Delargy

AINTREE SATURDAY

1.45 GASKELLS WASTE MANAGEMENT HANDICAP HURDLE (3M 149Y)

Mydor caught the eye at Fairyhouse last time, and could prove the answer to what looks a pretty difficult opener. Tony Martin’s charge was left with plenty to do there and the guaranteed strong pace at this track should suit his running style. If In Doubt is the obvious alternative having enjoyed no luck at all in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham, and he remains on a workable mark despite a 4lb rise for that defeat.

2.25 EZ TRADER MERSEY NOVICES’ HURDLE (2M 4F)

It’s impossible to oppose Yorkhill after his demolition job in the Neptune, and while many have pointed out that Yanworth was kept too wide on the track, the fact is that Willie Mullins’ chesnut gelding virtually pulled himself up upon jumping the last and would have won more easily had he something to aim at on the run-in. He’s adaptable in terms of ground conditions and ought to win this with his head in his chest.

3.00 DOOM BAR MAGHULL NOVICES’ CHASE (1M 7F 176Y)

I’ve long had Fox Norton in mind for this contest, but while this track will suit him better than Cheltenham, he still has plenty to do with the hugely impressive Douvan and the recent softening of the ground is definitely against Neil Mulholland’s novice, so I may have to keep my powder dry for another day. If conditions improve, he’s worth a bet in the “Without Douvan” market, but there are bigger fish to fry later in the day.

3.40 LIVERPOOL STAYERS’ HURDLE (3M 149Y)

Another Grade 1 race and another favourite who is very had to oppose. Of all the winners at Cheltenham last month, I thought Thistlecrack was the most authoritative, and while that is clearly subjective, the fact remains that he’s beaten all before him at the top level this season while barely coming off the bridle, and Tom Scudamore must have been counting his percentage before the field had breasted the top of the hill at Prestbury Park.

Different Gravey is certainly an intriguing contender, but while he was hugely impressive in a handicap at Ascot prior to swerving Cheltenham, he’s not proven beyond two and a half miles, and it’s dangerous to assume he’ll be fully effective at this trip, at least on his first attempt.

4.20 BETFRED HANDICAP CHASE (3M 210Y)

Band of Blood was a selection here when third in the Grimthorpe behind The Last Samuri, and while he has been well held at Cheltenham since, that run is nowhere near as poor as it first appeared and he wasn’t knocked about having forfeited ground on the outside of the field throughout. He remains the type to do much better for his current yard, and this looks a good opportunity for him to bounce back, with this contest not as competitive as the numbers suggest.

Mystifiable was impressive at Newbury last time and has only had a handful of races over fences, but I think a rise in the weights of a stone looks harsh enough, particularly as he’s not sure to be suited by this tighter track (all his wins prior to Newbury were right handed), and he looks a poor favourite.

Coologue jumps and travels well, but is a weak finisher, while Warden Hill is making a very belated seasonal debut. Knock House can be fancied after a good run in the Kim Muir, and merits respect, but I’m happy to stick with Dr Newland’s runner despite him being out of the handicap proper.

5.15 CRABBIE’S GRAND NATIONAL (4M 2F 74Y)

I’ve given a full run-down of all the runners elsewhere, but this revolves primarily around one horse for me, with Many Clouds looking better than ever this season, and certain to put up a bold show in his defence of his crown having only a solitary pound more on his back. He has matured into the perfect specimen of a staying steeplechaser, and could not have been more impressive in winning his prep race at Kelso, and has been geared solely towards this race rather than have a crack at the Gold Cup, in which he would have had a solid place chance at least. It’s historically been difficult for National winners to follow up, with the big race often leaving its mark, and the handicapper taking up the slack from there, but neither of those factors have slowed Oliver Sherwood’s chaser this term, and he deserves to take his place in the record books.

Of the others, Morning Assembly, a contemporary of the selection as a novice chaser when he was third in the RSA, must be considered from what looks a very fair handicap mark and he should improve on a fine fourth in the Ultima Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival. He was behind O’Faolain’s boy in that RSA in 2014, and Rebecca Curtis’s charge is another to consider having shaped well for a long way in the Gold Cup, with last year’s runner-up Saint Are also shortlisted having crept in at the foot of the weights.

RECOMMENDED

MANY CLOUDS 5.15 Aintree – 2pts e/w @ 8/1 (general)

MORNING ASSEMBLY 5.15 Aintree – 1pt e/w @ 25/1 (general)

BAND OF BLOOD 4.20 Aintree - 1pt win