13:45 Thursday

GREY DAWNING put in a remarkable jumping display to win the Grade 1 Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time out. 

He was most impressive over 3 miles at Warwick when winning the Grade 2 Hampton Novices' Chase so it is interesting that connections are keeping him over the intermediate distance for the Manifesto Novices’ Chase on Thursday at Aintree.

The Dan Skelton trained seven-year-old has taken more than 70% of the bets on the Aintree Festival opener through oddschecker since final declarations for the day’s racing were made on Tuesday.

14:20 Thursday

SIR GINO should be up to winning the Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle if the Nicky Henderson yard is back in full flow. His likeliest challenger is Triumph 2nd Kargese, who has now had three hard runs in a row including the 1 ½ length defeat at Cheltenham less than four weeks ago.

Sir Gino comes here fresh after winning easily on Cheltenham Trials day, while Milan Tino ran well in the Boodles at the Festival 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.

He has been backed in 63% of the betslips for the second race on the opening day at Aintree.

14:55 Thursday

The Cheltenham Gold Cup 2nd GERRI COLOMBE returns to the venue where he won a Grade 1 last season, a 7 1/2 length success in the Mildmay Novices' Chase. His run last time out was a return to form and he won't mind any recent rain.

His likeliest challenger in the Aintree Bowl is fan favourite Shishkin for Nicky Henderson, the Seven Barrows maestro who has endured a rough spring.

Just short of 40% of the oddschecker community has sided with Gerri Colombe.