UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

Captain Hugo beat a subsequent winner to make a successful start over timber at Newbury last month and has plenty of untapped potential, but TAURUS BAY gets the vote. Ben Pauling's point-to-point victor drew readily clear to score by over eight lengths at Stratford in October and is likely to have lots more to offer. Provided the son of Poet's Word takes a step forward, he will prove a tough nut to crack. Race To Base looks booked for third.
Prediction : 1st Taurus Bay 2nd Captain Hugo 3rd Race To Base

Princesse Milania was possibly found out when stepped up to this level as she failed to complete the hat-trick at Catterick last month, but remains in good form and is noted. However, the unexposed GLANCE OF GLORY makes plenty of appeal. Martin Keighley's gelding has progressed with each of his three starts, most recently staying on gamely to win on his handicap bow at Worcester. This step up in trip could unlock further improvement and he looks the one to side with. Sandscape is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Glance Of Glory 2nd Princesse Milania 3rd Sandscape

This represents a drop in grade for Inedit Star after his second at Wetherby in October, and he holds an obvious chance. However, he is yet to get his head in front in the UK and, with that in mind, KDEUX SAINT FRAY gets the nod. Despite Anthony Honeyball's five-year-old jumping left throughout, he still ran out a three-length victor at Cheltenham last month. A 3lb rise looks on the lenient side and he could take full advantage. Captain Butler isn't out of it either.
Prediction : 1st Kdeux Saint Fray 2nd Inedit Star 3rd Captain Butler

C&D winner Richmond Lake finished third over 3m on his return to action at Bangor last month. That might have put him spot on for this, so he is noted along with Margaret's Legacy. However, THE KALOOKI KID ran with plenty of credit in the Colin Parker at Carlisle last month and now returns to handicap company. The seven-year-old is likely to progress from that effort and could find the improvement required to strike.
Prediction : 1st The Kalooki Kid 2nd Richmond Lake 3rd Margarets Legacy

Paul Nicholls has trained four of the last seven winners, the majority of those when the race was formerly run as the Summit at Doncaster, and TREASURE PLANET has strong claims of adding to that tally. The latter took a big step forward when landing the odds with a commanding display at Ludlow on only his second start over hurdles and there looks plenty more to come. A maiden winner on the Flat in ireland, Edelak has joined Dan Skelton's yard and could prove competitive on his hurdling debut, while Bibe Mus and Scarlet Moon are others worthy of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Treasure Planet 2nd Edelak 3rd Bibe Mus

The progressive staying chaser Mr Vango made a winning reappearance last term. He's 9lb higher than when landing the Midlands Grand National in March, while the Welsh National winner Val Dancer will be sharper for his recent return at Carlisle and could also shape well. However, GABORIOT finished an encouraging second in the Grand Sefton here last month and he gets the vote with this extra test of stamina playing to his strengths. The Irish raider Bioluminescence and Excello are not out of this either.
Prediction : 1st Gaboriot 2nd Mr Vango 3rd Val Dancer

BEAR MARKET has won twice over 2m1f here and made a winning start for his new yard over today's trip at Southwell last month. That was also his first outing after a wind operation, so Mel Rowley's new charge could have more to offer as he steps up in class. Wellington Arch is 10lb higher than when landing a competitive handicap over C&D in April, but Act Of Authority has a shout off his current mark if reproducing his second in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham in March.
Prediction : 1st Bear Market 2nd Act Of Authority 3rd Wellington Arch