Day Two Aintree Preview

The first race of the second day at Aintree on Friday see's the Grade 3 Merseyrail Handicap Hurdle over 2 mile 4 furlongs and we have gone for Brio Conti and Tedham to go well.

Starting with the Paul Nicholls trained Brio Conti and this eight year old has improved with every race this year, winning at Ascot in a Class 2 and then ran a blinder at the Cheltenham festival to finish fourth in the Coral Cup just 2 lengths behind the winner.

He has every chance off just two lbs higher tomorrow, but another selection for us at a bigger price is the Jonjo O'Neill trained Tedham, who is another gelding that has progressed well on all four of his starts this term.

His last two runs have seen his best performances to date, finishing second at Exeter back in December behind a smart horse from the Nicholls yard and then last time out he got off the mark well at Wincanton when stepped up in trip for the first time.

The next race of the day is the first of Day two's Grade 1 contests with the Betway Top Novices Hurdle and we have gone for the Harry Fry trained Winston C.

This five year old is progressing beautifully over hurdles this season having his first run over hurdles in December after being a useful horse on the flat.

In his four runs over obstacles he has form figures of 3111 landing his best effort last time out at Kelso getting up late in the day in a Class 2 to land a hat-trick.

Comes into this contest in fine form and looks a very progressive type at a nice each way price.

The third race of the day see's another Grade 1 contest in the Betway Mildmay Novices Chase over 3 miles 3 furlongs and we have gone for the Paul Nicholls trained Topofthegame.

This seven year old gelding has aspirations of winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup next year off the back of how well he has performed in some big contests this year.

His last run was his best to date at the Cheltenham Festival in the RSA Chase where he rallied gamely to fend off Nicky Henderson's Santini and take the spoils.

He is the best horse in the race and will have no doubt about getting the extra few furlongs, certainly the one to beat.

The feature race of the afternoon in Liverpool see's the JLT Melling Chase over just under 2 mile 4 furlongs and we have sided with last year's winner of the race, Politologue.

Another of the thriving Paul Nicholls horses and this eight year old gelding has been hit and miss in Graded contests this season but sets the standard in this race, off the back of his course and distance win in this race last year and his latest battle with Altior in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

He was narrowly beaten by one of the greatest horses to ever grace the sport, which is nothing to be ashamed about but if taking that and coming out of the contest well, he will be tough to beat.

The Grade 3 Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase see's plenty of runners go over the national fences over 2 miles 5 furlongs and we have gone for Peregrine Run and San Benedeto.

Starting with the Peter Fahey trained Peregrine Run and this nine year old has been ran more frequently then most of the horses in this field fielding some smart figures of 123142 in his last six races.

Top jockey Barry Geraghty steps up to take the ride and if performing to the best of his Irish form he has a real chance.

The other selection in this big fielded contest is the Paul Nicholls trained San Benedeto who was a Group 1 winner at this track back in 2017 and got back to his best last time out at Newbury in a Grade 3.

He is low in the weights and holds plenty of experience in better races than this, one to watch.

The penultimate race of the day see's the final Grade 1 contest of the day in the Doom Bar Sefton Novices Hurdle over 3 miles 1/2 furlong and we have go for Dallas Des Pictons and Walk Away.

Dallas Des Pictons for trainer Gordon Elliott will love the rain that has been falling on Day One of the meeting and has been in some top class form on his last three runs.

He won two nice races in Ireland at Punchestown and Leopardstown and then last time out was a narrow second in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham which reads well for this contest, if fresh.

The other selection in this contest see's another Irish raider with Walk Away for trainer Henry De Bromhead. This six year old is unbeaten on both his starts to date with his latest at Thurles proving to be far to easy.

He holds a lot of potential and looks a nice prospect at a big price.

The last race of the day is the Grade 2 Open National Hunt Flat race over 2 miles 209 yards and we have gone for the Paul Nicholls trained McFabulous.

This lightly raced gelding looks to be another bright spark from this superb yard only racing three times and being really impressive in two out of his three starts.

He won nicely in a bumper at Chepstow on his first start and then last time out got back to winning ways at Newbury when beating 13 other strong runners and has a real chance at landing this.