UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

Jeriko Du Reponet only found his stable companion Doddiethegreat too strong for him in the Pertemps Final and has to be respected along with Catch Him Derry, who finished one place behind Nicky Henderson's gelding at Cheltenham. Act Of Authority shaped as though stepping up in trip would suit when runner-up in the Martin Pipe and may prove the biggest threat to BILL JOYCE. His third in the Challow to The New Lion reads particularly well and it's worth forgiving a below-par effort at Cheltenham in January.
Prediction : 1st Bill Joyce 2nd Act Of Authority 3rd Jeriko Du Reponet

Lulamba arrives on the back of a terrific effort in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. Denied by only a neck on that occasion, the four-year-old takes on his elders including the unbeaten HORACES PEARL. Fergal O'Brien's charge has built on his promising bumper form, that culminated with a victory in the Grade 2 at this meeting last year, by winning both subsequent starts in maiden/novice hurdles and he's taken to make his mark at this level. Miami Magic finished a creditable runner-up in a Grade 1 contest here on Boxing Day and this extra distance should suit. He's preferred to maiden hurdle winner Koktail Divin, while Gordon Elliott has won the last three renewals and relies on Honesty Policy.
Prediction : 1st Horaces Pearl 2nd Lulamba 3rd Miami Magic

The hat-trick seeking Myretown is a sensible starting point given his obvious appeal on just his sixth start over fences. The ready winner of the Ultima at Cheltenham last month, Lucinda Russell's eight-year-old seems to be getting better with every run and may be up to defying the handicapper, who has reassessed him with a 15lb higher mark. However, that is a big ask in such a competitive race and it may be worth taking a chance on IMPERIAL SAINT, who is a previous course winner boasting deep scope for progression over this trip. The Ultima fourth Happygolucky commands respect, while Docpickedme is another key player.
Prediction : 1st Imperial Saint 2nd Myretown 3rd Happygolucky

TEAHUPOO was unable to go back-to-back in the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month, finishing second to the enigmatic Bob Olinger, but compensation could await Gordon Elliott's charge. Often campaigned lightly, the eight-year-old ought to be fresher than most and will be tough to beat if near the top of his game. Willie Mullins' unexposed Kitzbuhel landed a Grade 3 at Gowran in February and has to be of interest stepped up markedly in distance, while Home By The Lee, whose rider stood no chance when badly hampered at Cheltenham, should not be overlooked. This is a stronger renewal than the one Strong Leader won 12 months ago.
Prediction : 1st Teahupoo 2nd Kitzbuhel 3rd Home By The Lee

Last year's winner I Am Maximus heads a strong JP McManus squad with Iroko, Perceval Legallois and Meetingofthewaters other strong candidates in the famous green and gold silks. That said, an 8lb higher mark for t he former, combined with a preparation that hasn't completely gone to plan and his potential quirks, are enough to look elsewhere. Iroko has long been touted as the ideal Aintree type and warrants plenty of respect, despite the trip being a slight concern. Similar comments apply to Perceval Legallois, but the eight-year-old arrives at the top of his game after big handicap successes at Leopardstown. Intense Raffles won the Irish National last season and arrives following a fine effort in the Bobbyjo when just denied by Nick Rockett, but the reopposing fourth, MINELLA COCOONER, makes plenty of appeal. A sound jumper who won the bet365 Gold Cup on a decent surface at Sandown last April, that Fairyhouse effort was his best of the season and it appears he has been brought along steadily to peak on the big day. Stumptown (first) and Vanillier (third) further boost Gavin Cromwell's hopes following their efforts in the Cross Country at Cheltenham, while Hewick, Minella Indo and Hyland are others expected to prove popular.
Prediction : 1st Minella Cocooner 2nd Iroko 3rd Perceval Legallois

The Arkle produced arguably the most thrilling finish of the whole Cheltenham Festival and L'EAU DU SUD played a big part by finishing a close-up fourth in that memorable event. Therefore, it is highly notable that Dan Skelton tries the seven-year-old with a tongue-tie and cheekpieces combination as he bids to emulate the last two winners of this race, who tasted defeat in the Arkle but immediately bounced back with success here. An outsider on the day, Touch Me Not was less than a length in front of the selection at Cheltenham and must have every chance of upholding the form if he adapts to this flatter course. Kalif Du Berlais and Brookie are old rivals and, off level weights, the former can reaffirm his superiority based on a literal reading of November's Fulke Walwyn encounter at Newbury.
Prediction : 1st Leau Du Sud 2nd Only By Night 3rd Kalif Du Berlais

El Cairos can feature having finished a respectable fifth in the Grade 1 bumper at Cheltenham last month. Willie Mullins trained the winner of that contest and he is represented by GREEN SPLENDOUR, who gave a good account of himself in a Grade 2 bumper at Leopardstown in February, when giving the impression this extra furlong would bring further improvement. The latter is taken to reverse Leopardstown running with Koktail Brut, while Joseph O'Brien sends Le Labo over from Ireland on the back of a winning debut at Thurles. Scope To Improve added to his point-to-point victory with a debut success under Rules at Naas, and Quaviste is worth noting for the Skelton yard.
Prediction : 1st Green Splendour 2nd El Cairos 3rd Le Labo