Aintree Saturday

1.20 William Hill Handicap Hurdle 3m 149yds

Supremely West won the Pertemps well at Cheltenham but a 9lb higher mark – while not punitive – will require a little more.

He’s respected, but a little short for my liking now. Fortune Timmy was not disgraced behind King Rasko Grey in the Turners there and despite getting outpaced down the hill and then badly hampered by the fall of Saint Baco at the last, his effort reads well on the figures.

That was another small step forward for a quietly progressive novice, who was third to Kripticjim on Trials Day having won twice at Fontwell earlier in the season.

Fortune Timmy has been stepping up gradually in distance in his first season and while he’s not guaranteed to stay in excess of three miles, he has improved as his stamina has been drawn out to date and is worth backing to continue that trend.

Good To Be Alive is another progressive novice who is untried at three miles but promises to improve for the trip, and looks a viable alternative to the selection.

1.55 Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Gordon Elliott bounced back on Thursday to ease memories of a poor Cheltenham, and I fancy Ballyfad is a lot better than he could show in the Turners there last month.

I loved the way he battled back when just touched off in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in February and he had the Turners winner King Rasko Grey behind him that day.

Aintree should suit him, and if he is over the exertions of Cheltenham, which isn’t a given, he looks a match for any of these in what isn’t a strong renewal of the Mersey.

Dan Skelton appears to have a strong hand and is another who was off the mark here on Thursday, so both Soldier Reeves and Bossman Jack – fourth and fifth in the Neptune won by King Rasko Grey – demand respect, but Ballyfad shouldn’t be judged on his effort there, and can prove the point now.

2.30 William Hill (Freebooter) Handicap Chase 3m 210yds

Deep Cave made it only as a reserve in the Grand National, but that is likely to be a blessing as he looks to have strong claims of winning at this meeting for the second year in succession.

Winner of the three-mile handicap hurdle on this card 12 months ago, Deep Cave impressed with his determination when taking the Howden Silver Cup at Ascot in December.

He’s been below form twice since, but is easily excused his run at Kempton in February having made a bad early blunder and lost a shoe.

The key to the Christian Williams horses seems to be the arrival of spring, with the yard tending to struggle in the autumn but producing improved performances from February on each season, especially with staying chasers, with two Scottish Nationals, two Eider Chases and a bet365 Gold Cup all proof in the proverbial pudding.

Deep Cave clearly thrives in the spring as he showed last season, and while he must avoid errors, he appeals as capable of making a mockery of his current mark.

He will have been primed for this week, even if the National was Plan A, and is taken to produce a career best here.

15.05 Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 149yds

I was really impressed by Honesty Policy when he won the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle on this card last year and I pencilled him in a likely winner of the Liverpool Hurdle this term.

He has shown that he wants a good test at three miles with staying-on efforts in the Long Walk at Ascot and in the Stayers’ Hurdle where a falsely run race did not play to his strengths.

Another who will be ideally suited by the long home straight, this looks the opportunity for Honesty Policy to take the staying division by the scruff of the neck and give it a good shake-up.

He represents the most solid bet on the card at around 3/1.

16.00 Randox Grand National Handicap Chase 4m 2f 74yds

See pinstickers guide on 62 for 1-2-3-4 selections.

Gerri Colombe, like Brighterdaysahead, started this season later than is usual for Gordon Elliott, and that may prove a blessing in disguise as the 10-year-old has been gradually returning to his best this season, and shaped very well in the Bobbjo Chase at Fairyhouse which is often such a good pointer to this contest.

He was beaten by Grangeclare West there, but had a confidence-boosting win at Down Royal more recently and is fairly treated on his best form, which includes a Grade 1 win here as a novice chaser.

He gives the impression that he will stay all day and as a sound jumper, should cope with the fences. If he takes to the unique occasion, then he has the combination of class and stamina that is required to win a modern Grand National.

Jagwar is untried at marathon trips but improved for the step up to three miles and a furlong when second in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time, and he was doing his best work late to hint that stamina may, after all, be his strong suit.

His trainers are adept at getting their horses to adapt to Aintree and this improving seven-year-old is the type to relish the track. His grounding in top two and a half mile handicaps will stand to him in the big field and he’s an exciting addition to the scene.

Fortune Timmy 1.20 Aintree – 1pt e/w @ 7/1 (general – 5 places)

Good To Be Alive 1.20 Aintree – 1pt e/w @ 20/1 (general – 5 places)

Deep Cave 2.30 Aintree – 1pt win @ 7/1 (general)

Honesty Policy 3.05 Aintree – 2pts win @ 3/1 (general)

Gerri Colombe 4.00 Aintree – 1.5pts e/w @ 25/1 (general – 6 places)

Jagwar 4.00 Aintree – 1pt e/w @ 10/1 (general – 6 places)