UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

JANGO BAIE is a Grade 1 winner over hurdles who sets a lofty standard with his rating of 148 on his first start over fences. Nicky Henderson's five-year-old looks to have found an ideal opportunity to make a successful chase debut and he is difficult to oppose. Beachcomber holds stronger credentials than Ballymackie after filling the runner-up spot in a decent handicap at Exeter last month and he can put up the most resistance to the selection, providing he turns up after his intended engagement at Sandown on Friday.
Prediction : 1st Jango Baie 2nd Beachcomber 3rd Ballymackie

THE KEMBLE BREWERY made every yard of the running to justify his short odds at Ffos Las last month and he might have plenty more to offer. With Kim Bailey's string in fine order at present, he looks well placed to complete the hat-trick off a 7lb higher mark. The main threat might be Wellington Arch, who was beaten by a hot favourite on his hurdles debut at Exeter and could take a step forwards to have a say. Piper Park is the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st The Kemble Brewery 2nd Wellington Arch 3rd Piper Park

GOLDEN AMBITION and Magical Arthur are both seeking hat-tricks, but a slight preference is for the former after scoring in good style at Lingfield last time. The son of Mount Nelson goes off a 6lb higher rating for that success, but that may not be enough to prevent him from going in again. As for the latter, the booking of Sam Twiston-Davies catches the eye and he is expected to prove the main threat. Caher Roes Den holds strong place claims after his third at Wincanton.
Prediction : 1st Golden Ambition 2nd Magical Arthur 3rd Caher Roes Den

Richmond Lake landed this race off the same mark last year and, on the back of a promising fourth in the Grand Sefton on his seasonal reappearance here last month, he is sure to be popular with punters today. That said, SPRINGWELL BAY edges preference. He impressed when scoring cosily on his chasing debut over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow in October, and his stamina looked to be his achilles heel when third over an extended 3m in a warm novices' chase at Cheltenham most recently. Stepping back in trip with his sights lowered, this could be the day to catch him. Real Stone is also noteworthy.
Prediction : 1st Springwell Bay 2nd Richmond Lake 3rd Real Stone

King Turgeon (first) got the better of Gaboriot (third) when the pair met in the Grand Sefton here last month and although the latter is 2lb better off with that rival this time, the former was well on top on that occasion and he gets the vote to confirm his superiority over that rival. That said, CHIANTI CLASSICO is fancied to come out on top. Kim Bailey's Cheltenham Festival winner scored comfortably despite jumping left over 3m in an Ascot handicap on his seasonal reappearance recently and, returning to a left-handed track off 5lb higher, he can mark himself down as a bona fide Grand National hope here.
Prediction : 1st Chianti Classico 2nd King Turgeon 3rd Gaboriot

LIAM SWAGGER showed a useful level of form on the Flat and has since taken well to this discipline, with victories at Market Rasen and in the Wensleydale at Wetherby. He got the better of Static on the latter occasion and is taken to confirm the form, despite being 2lb worse off. Olly Murphy's gelding has since proved to be no match for the selection's stable companion East India Dock at Cheltenham, but he is likely to be a lot more competitive on this occasion. Quantock Hills won well at Fontwell last month and appears best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Liam Swagger 2nd Static 3rd Quantock Hills

Country Park produced his best effort to date over timber when runner-up at Cheltenham last month and the five-year-old commands plenty of respect with him being relatively unexposed. However, the vote goes to another handicap debutant in the shape of CHOCCABLOC, who was last seen finishing second to a smart type of Willie Mullins' at Ayr in the spring and an opening mark of 128 may underestimate his ability. Things haven't gone to plan over fences for Uncle Bert, so a return to the smaller obstacles might aid his cause.
Prediction : 1st Choccabloc 2nd Country Park 3rd Pyramid Place