UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

A tricky puzzle to solve with plenty in with a chance and only a tentative vote goes to recent Market Rasen scorer NORMAN FLETCHER. The four-year-old arrives here for the in-form Nigel Twiston-Davies yard and having shed his maiden tag in comfortable fashion last time, he could be up to handling this tougher assignment. Le Jeune Bresil shaped as though this drop in trip could work the oracle when not quite lasting home over the extended 2m3f at Wetherby last month and he is feared most, while Goonhilly would enter the equation should he produce a more polished jumping display.
Prediction : 1st Norman Fletcher 2nd Le Jeune Bresil 3rd Goonhilly

This contest seems to revolve around the performance of GOLDEN SON, who is clear of these on official ratings and he'll be difficult to beat should he put his best foot forward. The French recruit made a pleasing start to his career on these shores, following the Martin Pipe hero Iroko home over 2m4f at Warwick last month, and Paul Nicholls' charge can improve for that outing. Pembroke rates as the main danger with the benefit of a walk over at Warwick last time and he can give the selection most to think about, while Hardy Bloke heads the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Golden Son 2nd Pembroke 3rd Hardy Bloke

Plenty of in-form rivals line up here with the slight preference being GAYE LEGACY, who scored in cosy fashion over 2m7f at Market Rasen last time and she looks likely to offer another bold bid. Tom Symonds' charge has been raised 4lb for that one-and-a-half-length success and it could prove lenient today. Kyntara is feared most after a bloodless win over 2m7f at Lingfield and he's not ruled out of defying a 5lb rise, while Moonlight Artist should also be thereabouts.
Prediction : 1st Gaye Legacy 2nd Kyntara 3rd Moonlight Artist

This can once again go the way of ZAMBELLA, who has won this contest for two years running, including a restaged renewal at Carlisle last November. The eight-year-old may not have an excellent record fresh, but she loves soft ground and her stable could hardly be be in any better form at present. Placed in a strong renewal of the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Pink Legend has won twice since and must enter calculations, along with La Renommee, who was an impressive winner on her penultimate outing at Ludlow.
Prediction : 1st Zambella 2nd Pink Legend 3rd La Renommee

A comfortable winner over hurdles at Wetherby on his return last month, RICHMOND LAKE should enjoy the return to the larger obstacles, having put together a fine novice campaign. The seven-year-old can land the four-timer, with the progressive Heltenham and last year's winner of this contest, Brave Seasca, looking best placed to chase him home. War Lord bounced back to form with a strong effort behind a stablemate in the Haldon Gold Cup and he should enjoy conditions today.
Prediction : 1st Richmond Lake 2nd Heltenham 3rd War Lord

HIGHLAND HUNTER looks just the type to excel over theses fences, having been runner-up in the Welsh Grand National and won the London National at Sandown around this time two years ago. The 10-year-old caught the eye on his first start for new connections when runner-up in a decent contest at Kelso in October, and he looks to have been laid out for this since. A taking winner of this prestigious handicap last year, Ashtown Lad returns off just 2lb higher and must be considered, while Percussion, who has never failed to place over theses fences, cannot be ruled out either. Former Kim Muir scorer Chambard had the capable Undersupervision (third) behind when runner-up at Cheltenham last month and both are entitled be thereabout again.
Prediction : 1st Highland Hunter 2nd Ashtown Lad 3rd Percussion

LIARI showed a good attitude when making a winning debut over hurdles at Wincanton in October and Paul Nicholls' gelding merits the utmost respect now upped in grade. Max Of Stars is an obvious threat to the selection following her second to a useful prospect at Newbury eight days ago. Le Fauve has to be of some interest on his first start for Dan Skelton, while Eagle Prince and Knight Of Allen are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Liari 2nd Max Of Stars 3rd Le Fauve

SONIGINO was far from disgraced when fourth in the Greatwood at Cheltenham last time and he is likely to be hard to stop if reproducing that level of form in this company. Benson did not take to fences but he is only 3lb higher than when winning the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso in March and, on that evidence, Sandy Thomson's gelding could well make his presence felt here. Vicki Vale edges out Holmes St Georges and Bashers Reflection to be the pick of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Sonigino 2nd Benson 3rd Vicki Vale