14:55 Friday

MYSTICAL POWER is the most backed horse for Friday at the Aintree Festival.

Second in the Supreme at Cheltenham, Road to Cheltenham is backing him to go one better now that Slade Steel has been kept back for the Punchestown Festival.

He travelled like the best horse in the race four weeks ago, looking like the winner all over before he was outstayed up the famous Cheltenham hill. 

He has been backed in 56% of the betslips for the Top Novices’ Hurdle.

15:30 Friday

The second most popular selection for Friday at Aintree is a high profile Cheltenham Festival absentee for Nicky Henderson, JONBON.

This son of Walk In The Park bids to overcome his last time out defeat in the Grade 1 Clarence House when sent off at odds of 1/4. His jumping let him down that day and he now steps up in trip to 2m 4f for the first time in his career. 

The issues in the Henderson yard are less of a concern after Sir Gino’s win on Thursday. Jonbon has taken 54% of the bets on the Melling Chase through oddschecker.

16:05 Friday

The third most backed horse on Friday in total bets since the final declarations were made for the day’s racing is last year's Topham winner BILL BAXTER, who returns off just a 1lb higher mark. 

The grey has, however, failed to get competitive in five subsequent outings culminating is a disappointing effort at Newbury when beaten more than 26 lengths as a 9/2 joint-favourite.

This race has almost certainly been his primary target all season long.

More than 12% of the oddschecker community have backed him to come out on top in a stacked Topham Chase (previewed here by Stu Williams).