1.45pm Aintree

Balco Coastal

He simply didn’t handle the Sandown soft ground when pulled up in the Imperial Cup last time and the further disappointment was that the handicapper left him on the same mark afterwards. But we’d still like to think he is fairly treated on his earlier Cheltenham second, and the expected better ground will suit him here. Hopefully, he can return to form.

2.20pm Aintree

First Street

We had the option of going to the Scottish Champion Hurdle with him at Ayr last weekend, but I think he is well worth a shot at this Grade 1 after what he did in the County Hurdle, even with stablemate Jonbon in the race and clearly the one to beat. He clearly bumped into an unexposed, highly-regarded and well handicapped one of Willie’s that day, and this is a horse who we hope will continue to flourish.  I can see this track suiting him and hopefully he will be right there at the finish.

4.05pm Aintree

Mister Coffey

It was agonizing seeing him come to win his race in the Kim Muir for Sam last time, only to get run out of it after the last. Maybe his stamina just gave way over 3m2f in soft ground there. He went up 4lb for that, but hopefully he still has a big handicap in him and this is it. He ran well when fourth in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at this meeting last year, and maybe he is the just the type to take to this challenge. He has jumped well over these types of fences at home.

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