13:45 Thursday

Il Etait Temps  - Manifesto Novices' Chase

The turners 1-2 Grey Dawning and Ginny's Destiny clash again for an anticipated rematch and both will likely be popular in the market but they can be taken on with IL ETAIT TEMPS. I didn't think the Turners was a vintage renewal this year especially with Facile Vega disappointing again. 

On top of that, Ginny's Destiny has run away from Cheltenham this season and I also fear the sharp Mildmay course may not suit Grey Dawning who has won over 3 miles this season. 

Alternatively, Il Etait Temps steps up in trip from the Arkle where he ran well in 3rd. With the race being run at a blistering pace, he jumped poorly that day and it was a credit to his ability that he finished 3rd. 

He returns to an intermediate trip in which he ran a 5 length 2nd to Gaelic Warrior over Christmas and with Paul Townend given up, he can go very close at 4/1.

14:20 Thursday

Sir Gino - Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle 

Although he's a short price, SIR GINO should be up to winning this if the Henderson yard can run up to scratch. Triumph 2nd Kargese meets him; however, she has now had three hard runs in a row and she was a forward filly given her French experience.

Sir Gino comes here fresh after winning easily on Cheltenham Trials day and I thought Milan Tino ran well in the Boodles to boost the form. Sir Gino gave him 5lb and beat him 11 lengths that day and, although he has to give Kargese weight, he can make use of his freshness to win this. 

16:05 Thursday

Time Leader – Foxhunters Chase 

I thought TIME LEADER ran well in the Hunters' Chase at Cheltenham last time back in 3rd. Although he was no match for Sine Nomine and Its On The Line he made a mistake at the last and weakened up the hill. Importantly, the Aintree race is over five furlongs shorter than its Cheltenham counterpart and Time Leader was 5th in this race last year. 

That time he made a bad mistake at the chair before staying on strongly up the run in. That was on good to soft ground whereas the softer ground should help bring out his stamina over this shorter trip. The experience over these obstacles will be of enormous value and he can go very well with Huw Edwards now taking the ride. 

16:40 Thursday

Sans Bruit - Red Rum Handicap Chase

This time last year, SANS BRUIT was running in the Grade 1 at Auteuil behind Theleme, Klassical Dream, Hewick and Feronily. However, he had just as good of horses behind him with Haut En Couleurs, Flooring Porter and Asterion Forlonge all trailing in behind. 

His time in Britain has been troubled with a clear tendency of racing keenly in his first few starts. This has ruined his chance; however, he seemed more accustomed to the hood when finishing 2nd last time out at Chepstow. He travelled powerfully that day and only gave best up the run in to a horse he was giving 9lb to.