My three betting tips for Day 1 of the Aintree Festival

Il Etait Temps – Manifesto Novices' Chase

I like the Willie Mullins-trained IL ETAIT TEMPS in the opener on Thursday and I can see him getting the better of Grey Dawning and Ginny’s Destiny.

The two British horses are facing off for the third time but Il Etait Temps, with Paul Townend booked to ride, is the main danger to the Turners Novices’ Chase front two.

His jumping can be sketchy and that may put him on the back foot a bit but he has the staying qualities and the turn of foot required to put a race like this to bed.

He appears to be a much better horse on a flat track like Aintree than he is at an undulating course like Cheltenham – with both Grade 1 triumphs coming at Leopardstown.

The form of his Limerick second – five lengths behind Gaelic Warrior and a length clear of Inothewayurthinkin – at Christmas was well advertised at the Cheltenham Festival and I think he’s a decent bet at 4/1.

Shishkin – Aintree Bowl

The presence of Gerri Colombe in the race is hardly ideal but I’m willing to take a punt on SHISHKIN and, perhaps more importantly, Nicky Henderson.

It’s been a rough spring for the Seven Barrows maestro and I’d say the wider racing community would love nothing more than to see Henderson in the winners’ enclosure on Thursday.

Shishkin is a fan favourite and he’s a fantastic horse, winning a total of six Grade 1 races throughout his career – including this race 12 months ago.

It might even have been seven had he stayed up in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day and I think he could prove too classy for his rivals.

Gordon Elliott and Robcour will have been delighted with Gerri Colombe at Cheltenham but that race may have taken its toll.

Meanwhile, Shishkin is a fresh horse and the form of his Grade 2 Denman Chase was franked as third placed Protektorat won the Ryanair Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Path D’Oroux – Red Rum Chase

This horse has disappointed his supporters on several occasions but I have a feeling that Thursday is going to be the day for PATH D’OROUX.

There’s been a significant swing in the weights with Cheltenham Festival conqueror Unexpected Party and I like the Gavin Cromwell runner to get the better of him this time around.

His form going this way round is considerably better than his bare form on right-handed tracks and I’d say he has been campaigned with a big handicap in mind. To be fair, it was probably the race at Cheltenham but Aintree should suit him down to the ground.

Two miles on soft ground on a flat track is sure to be right up his street and he is well worth his spot near the head of the betting. It’s a spring festival handicap so it is always going to be a competitive enough race but I’d say he ticks plenty of boxes.

Meanwhile, at a massive price, Black Gerry gets an each way nod. He has form on sharp, left-handed tracks but a lot will depend on whether he handles the 10-day turnaround.