1:45 H’Cap Hurdle
JOYEUSE (NICO DE BOINVILLE)

We tried her over two and a half in the Mares’ Hurdle a couple of years and she didn’t appear to stay, but that was a Cheltenham and this is Aintree; she’s also an older horse and judged on everything she’s done this season would suggest the extra half mile is now required.

She ran a very good race at Ascot when she looked the winner jumping the last but she made a mistake at a crucial time which ultimately decided her fortune – or misfortune.

The cheekpieces seemed to help at Cheltenham in the County so they will be retained and with a bit of spring weather now upon us I think she must have a seriously good chance in what is, albeit, a typically competitive Handicap.

4:05 Topham H’Cap Chase
EXCELLO (NICO DE BOINVILLE)

I must admit I didn’t think he’d make the cut for this but luckily he has managed to scrape in down at the bottom which is wonderful and if he can reproduce what he did in the Grand Sefton, he would have to be thereabouts.

He doesn’t win as often as we’d like but he is an honest horse who jumps well and is starting to look quite well handicapped.

I also think this is his optimum distance as he’s just been looking to struggle over further.

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