UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

SILK RUN thrived on her first run since undergoing wind surgery when winning at Chepstow last month and, with blinkers now applied, she can handle the 4lb rise. Stop Talking has won four of her last five, impressing at Perth when a five-length victor last time. She is a must for the shortlist, along with Kempton scorer Peggies Venture and Ratoute Yutty, who has some useful form and is worth trying over this trip once again.
Prediction : 1st Silk Run 2nd Stop Talking 3rd Peggies Venture

VALUE AT RISK isn't the most reliable but has dropped back to his last winning mark and the return to 2m4f could be just what is required to see Dan Skelton's enigmatic 10-year-old return to the winner's enclosure. Knockgraffon has done little wrong of late and jockey Aidan Coleman gets on well with Olly Murphy's charge, while Casablanca Mix could leave her disappointing Cheltenham outing behind off what could be a lenient mark back over fences.
Prediction : 1st Value At Risk 2nd Knockgraffon 3rd Casablanca Mix

FIDUX ran a solid race to finish third at Cheltenham last month and with the winner of that contest franking the form with victory in the Grade 3 Swinton Hurdle last weekend, Alan King's game six-year-old must have a fantastic chance of building on that Prestbury Park effort off the same mark. Solo Saxophone is likely to prove popular in search of a hat-trick, while Neverbeen To Paris won in style at Kempton earlier this month and is of interest under a 7lb penalty.
Prediction : 1st Fidux 2nd Neverbeen To Paris 3rd Solo Saxophone

THEATRE LEGEND continues to thrive over hurdles for Chris Grant and can claim a hat-trick now back in novice company. The six-year-old has scored in handicaps the last twice at Wetherby and Ayr and can land this despite giving weight away to all of his rivals. Santani was second to a potentially smart type at Ludlow five days ago, while Ferrobin continues to run well for the Dan Skelton operation but was beaten at odds-on at Warwick earlier this month.
Prediction : 1st Theatre Legend 2nd Santani 3rd Ferrobin

OLDGRANGEWOOD ran a big race over this course and distance last month when third behind the progressive pair Kildisart and Mister Malarky, and, wearing cheekpieces for the first time, that is the form to concentrate on. The eight-year-old remains on a mark of 137 and merits plenty of respect for connections who thrive at this time of year. Sizing Granite ran a huge race to finish third in a competitive Punchestown handicap 16 days ago, while Van Gogh Du Granit is respected under a 7lb penalty for his recent Market Rasen triumph.
Prediction : 1st Oldgrangewood 2nd Sizing Granite 3rd Van Gogh Du Granit

READY AND ABLE won over C&D in October last year before falling at Newbury the following month when still in with a chance. He returns from a 190-day absence and, despite being 8lb higher, appears capable of further progression. Follow The Bear might have improvement to come after a solid return at Ayr last month, while Forecast's Uttoxeter success earlier in the month gives him a good chance.
Prediction : 1st Ready And Able 2nd Follow The Bear 3rd Forecast

GRANNY'S SECRET won a point-to-point Flat race over 2m in March for Ben Pauling and she warrants a fair amount of respect on her debut under Rules. You Too Bonny Lass was a wide-margin winner of her sole outing between the flags and is likely to pose a solid threat if reproducing a similar level of performance, while others to consider include Bird On The Wire, Quinta Do Mar and Garry Clermont.
Prediction : 1st Grannys Secret 2nd You Too Bonny Lass 3rd Bird On The Wire