UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

There could be an early battle for supremacy with the likes of Handstands, who defeated subsequent Arkle winner Jango Baie in the Scilly Isles, Caldwell Potter and the talented Dancing City all likely to adopt a prominent position. With that in mind, a chance can be taken on STELLAR STORY, who came from off the pace to finish second in the Brown Advisory last time out. That was a career best over fences for Gordon Elliott's charge and, should this pan out favourably, it would come as no surprise were he to go one place better. Quai De Bourbon should go well with a clear round.
Prediction : 1st Stellar Story 2nd Handstands 3rd Caldwell Potter

IMPOSE TOI may have a large weight to carry but he looked like the winner of the Coral Cup before being worn down late in the piece by a well-handicapped Willie Mullins-trained inmate. A comfortable winner at Newbury on his penultimate start, the seven-year-old may have too much for unexposed Wetherby winner Wade Out, who could be well treated off a mark of 128 on his handicap debut. Fresh off a career-best effort when second in the National Spirit last time out, Steel Ally must enter calculations, as well as Listentoyourheart, who looks to have been laid out for this.
Prediction : 1st Impose Toi 2nd Wade Out 3rd Steel Ally

An appearance at the Cheltenham Festival has been a reliable stepping stone for past winners of this race and, with that in mind, ROMEO COOLIO has the right credentials after his commendable third-placed finish in the Supreme. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding's previous start was an impressive display in landing the Grade 1 Future Champions at Leopardstown's Christmas fixture. Salvator Mundi is the pick of Willie Mullins' pair but could only manage fifth in the Supreme. Therefore, the progressive Tripoli Flyer may be a bigger threat to the selection on the back of his Grade 2 win at Kempton. Diva Luna offers some each-way appeal.
Prediction : 1st Romeo Coolio 2nd Tripoli Flyer 3rd Salvator Mundi

JONBON was never able to recover from a bad mistake at the ninth fence in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, but did well in the circumstances to stay on for second. The nine-time Grade 1 winner beat Protektorat (third) in last year's renewal and provided there are no mishaps, he should do the business. El Fabiolo was beaten four lengths into second behind the selection in a Grade 1 at Sandown last year and failed to justify short odds in a Grade 2 at Navan last month. However, he is in the right hands and could bounce back.
Prediction : 1st Jonbon 2nd El Fabiolo 3rd Protektorat

Having experience over the National fences has proved key when going back through the previous winners of this contest and last year's runner-up JAMES DU BERLAIS ticks plenty of the right boxes. Willie Mullins' gelding only gave way in the final stages 12 months ago and this forecast quicker ground may help. The nine-year-old's latest fifth at Leopardstown should have put him spot on and he makes the most appeal. The Nicky Henderson-trained Fantastic Lady may have found the ground too soft when finishing sixth last year and she shouldn't be underestimated. Prominent racers usually do well, which brings Glengouly, Amirite and Blue Lord into the reckoning.
Prediction : 1st James Du Berlais 2nd Fantastic Lady 3rd Glengouly

Dual bumper winner MISTER MEGGIT could hardly have been more impressive when winning over 2m4f here on his hurdling bow. This represents a marked step up in class, but he has the potential to rate much higher over timber with the step up in trip likely to play to his strengths. The latter comment also applies to Listed winner Califet En Vol, who was doing his best work at the finish when scoring at Huntingdon. Battle Born Lad has nothing to prove regarding stamina, having enhanced his reputation with fine victory in a Grade 2 contest at Haydock over 3m. Gordon Elliott plays a strong hand, represented by Naas Grade 3 winner Jacob's Ladder and Familiar Dreams.
Prediction : 1st Mister Meggit 2nd Califet En Vol 3rd Battle Born Lad

A tentative vote goes to the progressive DIAMONDS FOR LUCK, who has won his last three in comfortable fashion and a mark of 122 on his handicap debut could prove lenient. As long as the six-year-old handles the ground, he is likely to travel strongly through this contest with Imperial Cup third Afadil looking best placed to chase him home off 6lb lower than when third in this last year. A taking winner at Newbury last time out, Manuelito is expected to be thereabouts, while Celtic Dino is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Diamonds For Luck 2nd Afadil 3rd Manuelito