Rest of Aintree

The remaining 6 races at Aintree are also highly competitive with the Cheltenham form in many cases in danger of being overturned. In the opening race, the 3 mile hurdle at 15.00 CET, World Hurdle winner Big Buck´s (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) renews rivalry with several who finished behind him, notably Mighty Man (Henry Daly/ Richard Johnson), who finished an excellent fifth despite a layoff with tendon trouble of almost 2 years.

Mighty Man is an Aintree specialist and has won this race twice before and on 10 lbs better terms he can take his revenge on Big Bucks. German-bred Fair Along (Philip Hobbs/ Rhys Flint) would have a chance at his best, but has been below form so far this season. The Grade One 4yo hurdle at 15.35 is also a Cheltenham re-run, with Walkon (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) and Starluck (Alan Fleming/ Timmy Murphy), second and fourth in the Triumph with several of these further back, crossing swords again; this track should suit Starluck down to the ground and he can reverse the form. Calgary Bay (Henrietta Knight/ Tony McCoy) was a Chelntenham disappointment, but today´s distance of 2 1/2 miles should suit him ideally and he can recover form in the novice chase at 17.55. Chapoturgeon (Nicholls/ Murohy) and German-bred Gauvain (Mann/ Fehily) are the main dangers. There are huge fields in the handicaps, also Cheltenham re-runs, and no fewer than 30 runners in the Fox Hunters Chase at 1 6.45. This should go to an Irish-trained runner, possibly Agus a Vic (P.Martin/ JJ Codd).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Big Buck`S - Mighty Man - Fair Along
2. Race: Walkon - Starluck - Hebridean
3. Race: Denman - Exotic Dancer - Star De Mohaison
4. Race: Agus A Vic - Trust Fund - Distant Thunder
5. Race: Oh Crick - Poquelin - Moon Over Miami
6. Race: Chapoturgeon - Calgary Bay - Planet Of Sound
7. Race: Big Eared Fran - Prince Taime - The Polomoche