Man On The Spot previews Saturday at Aintree

1.45 Gaskells Handicap Hurdle

No-one would begrudge the unlucky Barney Dwan a first victory of the campaign but his reward for another terrific run behind Presenting Percy in the Pertemps Final was a 5lb rise in the handicap. Fourth-placed The Tourard Man should get closer today and For Good Measure met traffic on the home turn in that race and ran better than his final position suggests - he may prove the best of three JP McManus-owned runners. Duke Street has been in good form lately and a first try over 3m is long overdue. He also goes on the short-list along with consistent novices No Hassle Hoff and Fountains Windfall but the mares Briery Queen and Rons Dream look up against it on these terms. Desert Cry has been enjoying an Indian summer over the winter months but it will be a surprise if he’s good enough to win again off this sort of mark. WHATAKNIGHT won a valuable staying handicap at Haydock around this time last year and looked to be on the way back when second at Doncaster a month ago, where he was only headed close home. Noel Fehily takes over the reins from a conditional today. 

2.25 - Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle

Many of these are dipping a first hoof into pattern race company having proved prolific in less-exalted novice events but Messire Des Obeaux is an exception. He won the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle in December and was a close-up third in the Neptune Investment at Cheltenham, though has been on the go for a while. FINIAN’S OSCAR was forced to miss Cheltenham after suffering a minor setback but he looks the one to beat in this if back fighting fit. Colin Tizzard’s unbeaten five-year-old won the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown in January and holds promising maiden Captain Forez and Lough Derg Spirit on collateral form. La Bague Au Roi found the company too hot in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham and now has a bit to prove but Brio Conti and Le Breuil have both been making strides lately, though whether they are at the level required for this just yet will be revealed today. 

3.00 - Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase

Charbel paid a heavy price for his one and only mistake in the Arkle at Cheltenham last month. He may well have made Altior work hard for victory had he stood up and would definitely finished ahead of eventual fifth Forest Bihan. He’ll be hard to beat if that hasn’t affected his confidence but a chance is taken with POLITOLOGUE as the drop back to 2m should suit this free-going sort, who finished ahead of Thursday’s winner Flying Angel when fourth in the JLT at The Festival. Stablemate San Benedeto has done very well since reverting to the minimum over fences but now steps up from handicaps. Colla Pier has been placed a couple of times over the larger obstacles but looks to be well out of her depth in this. 

3.40 - Betway Handicap Chase

There’s no time to draw breath before the big race as 18 runners are due to contest this always-competitive handicap on the Mildmay course. Emerging Force, Potters Legend and Relentless Dreamer all ran well in different races at Cheltenham last month. Value At Risk in unexposed over fences but racing for the first time since October. Thomas Brown won over 2m4f here in November but has been successful over further and is an interesting runner. STARCHITECT never really got involved in a Grade 3 at The Festival but was staying on well in the closing stages having hit traffic problems at various times. He’d beaten Takingrisks easily over a trip too short at Ayr earlier and this further step up in distance maybe just what’s required. I Just Know is on a hat-trick but faces by far his toughest task to date in this grade while Our Kaempfer. Knock House was second reserve in the National and will have been prepared with that race in mind so might not have the pace for this. 

4.20 - Ryanair Stayers Liverpool Hurdle

Cole Harden adopted his usual front-running tactics in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham last month but was outpaced once headed approaching the last. However, he still finished well ahead of Snow Falcon. Yanworth started favourite for the Champion Hurdle but was soon left behind when the pace quickened at the top of the hill. He’s probably shown his best over 2m4f and is entering unknown territory over this trip in a race in which a strong pace is guaranteed. Ballyoptic has been a bit unlucky but hasn’t really progressed this season but Ptit Zig wouldn’t be without a chance on his best form. It must be significant that Jessica Harrington has chosen to run SUPASUNDAE in this rather than the handicap at the top of the card. He has a little to find on official figures but was most impressive when beating Taquin Du Seuil in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham and should handle the step up in distance on the prevailing going. 

5.15 - Randox Health Grand National

The Last Samuri was beaten 14 lengths by Definitly Red in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster and is no better off. But another tilt at this, in which he finished a gallant second last year, has always been the long-term aim, though he is 12lb higher. Vieux Lion Rouge won the Becher Chase here in December but only three lengths covered the first five home and all take their chance today. Second Highland Lodge won the Becher in 2015, The Last Samuri was third and Ucello Conti was fourth. Fifth-placed One For Arthur later beat Goodtoknow in the Classic Chase at Warwick and has stamina in abundance while Vieux Lion Rouge overturned Blaklion in the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February, though the latter is now better off at the weights. He’s one with a touch of class along with Gold Cup fifth and sixth Saphir Du Rheu and More Of That, who could figure if lasting home. Tenor Nivernais is a bold-jumping front-runner and he’s ridden by Liam Treadwell, who rode Mon Mome to victory at 100/1 in 2009. THE YOUNG MASTER heads the short-list as he was more like his old self at Cheltenham last month and is only 2lb higher than when landing the bet365 Gold Cup over 3m5f at Sandown a year ago - Sam Waley-Cohen rides these fences as well as anyone. Irish trainers have been up in arms over their treatment by the handicapper but connections of former Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere can’t complain over a mark of 147 and three-times Cheltenham Festival winner Cause Of Causes was eighth in 2015 when only a seven-year-old. Thunder And Roses beat last year’s winner Rule The World in the 2015 Irish National and is a thorough stayer but didn’t handle the big obstacles very well when pulled up on a previous visit.  

6.15 - Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle

Born Survivor  has top weight in this but a fast pace will bring his stamina into a play and he’s no forlorn hope. Irish raider Wakea ran well in the county Hurdle and his partner, Donagh Meyler, is one of only two riders in this to have ridden out out his claim. David Noonan is the other and he may have picked up the plum ride in SO CELEBRE (NAP), a fast-improving four-year-old who showed a fine turn of foot to beat a decent field at Ascot last weekend - he only has a 5lb penalty. Donald McCain would love to have a winner on the card and is double-handed with the hat-trick seeking Cousin Oscar preferred to Raise A Spark. Highland Fling is another seeking a treble and Flat winner Master Of Finance gets good ground for the first time over hurdles. Chesterfield can reverse Newbury running with Remiluc and Darebin was a close third in the Imperial Cup last month on his return to jumping and is also worth considering.