Aintree Grand National meeting, day one

The Aintree Grand National meeting has been greatly improved in recent years and now poses a serious threat to Cheltenham as the top N.H. meeting of the year. While it used to be a one race meeting only, now the three days include a host of top events that are major features in their own right.

Obviously the Cheltenham N.H. festival three weeks ago provides the main form lines, as many of the stars of that fixture line up again, including today Gold Cup runner-up Kauto Star, World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever and the first two from the Triumph Hurdle, Celestial Halo and Franchoek (although running today in different races). Punters should be warned however that Cheltenham form does not always work out at Aintree; the track here is flat and relatively easy, while the configuration of Cheltenham - and especially the uphill finish- demands different qualities.

Our choice:
1. Race: Kicks For Free - Inglis Drever - Lough Derg
2. Race: Kauto Star - Exotic Dancer - Our Vic
3. Race: First Buddy - Celestial Halo - Binocular
4. Race: Thisthatandtother - Where Now - Katarino
5. Race: Andreas - Leslingtaylor - Marcel
6. Race: Franchoek - Group Captain - Whiteoak
7. Race: Gustavo - Pacha D`Oudairies - Ring the Boss