UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

IMPERIAL ALCAZAR didn't get off the mark in three bumper outings but showed plenty of ability, placing twice at Listed level, and can benefit from the step up to 2m4f on his hurdling debut for a stable in decent form at present. Green Dolphin may have found a quick turnaround too much for him at Newbury in March, when behind the selection, after posting a hugely impressive display to score at Wincanton 15 days previously. Frisson Collonges, Corrany and Grey Getaway all represent leading stables and are worth a market check ahead of their first outings over timber.
Prediction : 1st Imperial Alcazar 2nd Green Dolphin 3rd Frisson Collonges

MR MULDOON has won both his outings under Rules for Dr Richard Newland and appears capable of further progression in first-time cheekpieces on his handicap debut. Olly Murphy has his string in good heart and Smackwater Jack shaped as though he would improve for tackling this distance on a couple of occasions last season. Others to note include Perth scorer Mighty Thunder and Win My Wings, who was tried in Graded company at Chepstow last time.
Prediction : 1st Mr Muldoon 2nd Smackwater Jack 3rd Mighty Thunder

ON TOUR has a fine record in the autumn and returned with a neck second in a similar contest behind Vieux Lion Rouge at Chepstow 16 days ago. A course winner in November 2017 off a 5lb higher mark, he looks well treated at present and can gain his first success since that aforementioned victory. Our Kaempfer is a strong traveller who will be suited by this flat track, while Burtons Well was a useful performer who threatened to stay this distance as a younger horse. He returns from a 664-day absence but represents an owner who is no stranger to success on Merseyside.
Prediction : 1st On Tour 2nd Our Kaempfer 3rd Burtons Well

STONEY MOUNTAIN was a winner of the maiden hurdle over course and distance on this card 12 months ago before going on to run with credit in some top races later on in the season. Henry Daly's six-year-old appears fairly treated and could pick up a useful pot here, with the return to 2m4f a positive. Hear No Evil's progress was halted by injury and the track-and-trip winner is interesting on his first run since January 2018, while Chapmanshype has carried his summer form with him into the autumn and arrives unbeaten in his last three starts. Hey Bud was an emphatic 13-length scorer at Wincanton in March and can't be ignored, with Garrettstown also worth a market check.
Prediction : 1st Stoney Mountain 2nd Hear No Evil 3rd Chapmanshype

This proved the catalyst for Frodon 12 months ago when his victory over a strong cast set the tone for a season which involved just one defeat and culminated in Grade 1 success at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Paul Nicholls' seven-year-old is the toughest of cookies, but will have to pull out all the stops to successfully concede 14lb to KALASHNIKOV, who confirmed his place at the top table with victory in the Manifesto Novices' Chase over course and distance at the Grand National meeting in April. The move to 2m4f in that Grade 1 victory over La Bague Au Roi proved the making of Amy Murphy's stable star over the larger obstacles and he could take another step forward here, with any softening of the ground in his favour. Brian Ellison has his string in fine form and if anything is to upset the aforementioned duo, it could be his Forest Bihan, who could improve for the step up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Kalashnikov 2nd Frodon 3rd Forest Bihan

Over To Sam has had a wind operation since he was last seen on the track and is worth a market check representing Harry Fry, while Ivilnoble has undergone the same procedure ahead of his return from 252 days off and has some smart placed form in the book from last year behind the likes of Hold The Note and Breaking Waves. That being said, the claims of Irish raider PLAN OF ATTACK are difficult to ignore. Henry De Bromhead is a rare visitor to the UK, but his charge was an impressive scorer over the summer at Wexford and he might still be ahead of the assessor on just his third start over fences.
Prediction : 1st Plan Of Attack 2nd Ivilnoble 3rd Over To Sam

Paul Nicholls landed this prize in 2017 with Posh Trish and looks to have outstanding claims once more with point winner CILL ANNA. The Imperial Monarch filly is a half-sister to a bumper scorer and having cost connections 115,000 pounds at the sales in April, will be fancied to land the spoils at the first time of asking under Rules. Notawordofalie scored in bumper company at the third time of asking at Kelso 39 days ago, while Wheesht is interesting starting out for Oliver Sherwood and the Million In Mind partnership in such a hot contest.
Prediction : 1st Cill Anna 2nd Notawordofalie 3rd Wheesht