UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

The winner of this contest 12 months ago, Wellington Arch has to be respected following his recent Uttoxeter success. That said, this is tougher and another 5lb rise demands more from him. With that in mind, preference is for HOT FUSS, who only found one too good in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last month and the unexposed five-year-old can defy a 2lb rise to go a place better here. It is interesting that Emid'io Pepe makes his debut for Dan Skelton in a race of this nature and any market support for him would have to be noted. Others to consider are Indeevar Bleu, Jazzy Matty and Joyeuse.
Prediction : 1st Hot Fuss 2nd Wellington Arch 3rd Emidio Pepe

Regent's Stroll is bound to be popular given that connections won this last year with a similar type. However, the seven-year-old could be vulnerable and preference is for SALVER, who put in a career best when third in the Brown Advisory last month. That is the strongest piece of recent form on offer and the son of Motivator merits the utmost respect. Wendigo would not have been too far behind the selection at Cheltenham but for a fall at the last, while Gold Dancer is the pick of the remainder having finished a place ahead of Regent's Stroll in the Jack Richards last time.
Prediction : 1st Salver 2nd Regents Stroll 3rd Wendigo

A case can be made that SOBER GLORY was unlucky not to win the Supreme last month, given that he made a mistake at the last and was hampered on the run in. As a result, the six-year-old is very hard to oppose in this company on the back of that top-class performance. A couple of places behind the selection that day was Baron Noir, and he could prove to be the main threat. Sinnatra was not disgraced when fifth in the County off a mark of 133 but that suggests that he will need to improve to beat the aforementioned pair.
Prediction : 1st Sober Glory 2nd Baron Noir 3rd Sinnatra

The absence of Jonbon, who won the last two renewals, has made HEART WOOD's task that much easier. Henry De Bromhead's charge beat the former in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in comprehensive fashion, leaving the strong impression there was still more to come from the eight-year-old this season. Grey Dawning is fitted with cheekpieces after fading out of contention in the closing stages of last month's Gold Cup. He could bounce back over this shorter trip and is preferred to stablemate L'eau Du Sud, while Gidleigh Park can be given a shout on his excellent second in the Manifesto over C&D last year.
Prediction : 1st Heart Wood 2nd Grey Dawning 3rd Gidleigh Park

Gentleman De Mee won the corresponding race last year when beating the runner-up Lisnamult Lad less than a length. Willie Mullins' charge will likely launch another bold bid and makes more appeal than stable companion Ile Atlantique. Madara could also have a say in proceedings off the back of justifying favouritism at Cheltenham last month with WILL THE WISE back in second. However, that was the latter's first start since December and, reopposing on more favourable terms, Gavin Cromwell's improving seven-year-old is taken to turn the tables. This quicker ground should suit Boombawn, while we may not have seen the best of the progressive chasers Coming Up Easy and Prairie Wolf just yet.
Prediction : 1st Will The Wise 2nd Gentleman De Mee 3rd Madara

Jamie Snowden lifted this prize 12 months ago and could do so once more courtesy of JOHNNY'S JURY, who propelled himself to the forefront of the staying novice division by landing the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at last month's Festival. His jumping has been a real asset so far and with more to come over this sort of trip, he is worth keeping onside. Things conspired against No Drama This End in the Turners' but it would be unwise to dismiss him, as it would with Dalston Lad, who steps up in grade having romped home in a Grade 2 at Haydock. Mondoui'boy weakened into fourth behind the selection last time but might be seen to greater effect on this flatter track, while Zeus Power heads the challenge for the away side.
Prediction : 1st Johnnys Jury 2nd No Drama This End 3rd Mondouiboy

SHERMINATOR has been foot perfect over hurdles either side of a Cheltenham mishap, bolting up at Exeter most recently, and is the pick in this concluding contest. Harry Fry's gelding is progressing at a rate of knots and a subsequent 7lb rise does not look insurmountable, especially given his ability to handle all sorts of ground. Dan Skelton won this last year so Bangor winner Harry Lowes merits respect with that in mind, as does Irish challenger Captain Ryan Matt. Fred Winter fourth Pourquoi Pas Papa looks to have a chance in receipt of the juvenile allowance and don't rule out Static at a big price, given that he was tenacious in completing a double at Bangor last time out.
Prediction : 1st Sherminator 2nd Harry Lowes 3rd Captain Ryan Matt