Last year's Betfair Bowl winner Cue Card bids for a 10th Grade 1 win when he takes on six rivals in the Betway Bowl at Aintree on Thursday.

He again needs to put behind him a fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He came down at the third-last, just as he had done 12 months previously.

Empire Of Dirt is the sole Irish challenger among a field of seven declared. Gordon Elliott's 10-year-old was only fourth when fancied for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and will be stepping up in distance on Merseyside.

Other Gold Cup also-rans seeking redemption are Nigel Twiston-Davies' Bristol De Mai (seventh), Alan King's Smad Place (eighth) and Tea For Two, who unseated Lizzie Kelly at the second fence.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti will attempt to land this prize for a third time after coming out on top in 2014 and 2015, while Aso, from the Venetia Williams stable, completes the septet.

BETWAY HURDLE

Rashaan and Identity Thief make up the Irish challenge in the Grade 1 Betway Aintree Hurdle on Thursday.

Rashaan claimed the scalp of Apple's Jade at Down Royal back in November and after returning with a win on the Dundalk all-weather, took third in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park.

Identity Thief appeared to have the chasing world at his feet after winning his first two starts over fences but the wheels have come off dramatically and he reverts to hurdles for the first time this season.

Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D'Air is the star name among the home team.

Already a course winner having landed the Top Novices' Hurdle 12 months ago, Nicky Henderson's six-year-old also kicked off this season over fences, winning at Haydock and Warwick.

However, Henderson saw an opening in the two-mile hurdling division and after a warm-up victory at Sandown, the JP McManus-owned gelding provided his trainer with a record sixth victory in the Champion Hurdle with a tremendous display at Cheltenham just over three weeks ago.

He steps up to two and a half miles on his return to Merseyside and is reopposed by his stable companion and fellow McManus runner My Tent Or Yours.

The 10-year-old has finished second in the Champion Hurdle three times and chased home the brilliant mare Annie Power in this event last season.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained The New One was only fifth in the Champion Hurdle, but could be seen to better effect over this longer trip, while Paul Nicholls saddles Old Guard.