AINTREE- SATURDAY

1.00pm

Whisky In The Jar

He has obviously been off the track for a long while, so has presumably had an issue or two, but he was a progressive sort when we last saw him. He is well suited by 2m4f and give in the ground – in fact, the more rain the better for him by the looks of it – and hopefully there is more to come from him after his break.

1.30pm

Mulcahys Hill

We were obviously thrilled with him when he beat the classy Wholestone on his return at Cheltenham.  The downside is that he went up 7lb for it to 144, but I still think he has more to offer off his revised mark. And the handicapper could have been harsher I suppose, given the rating of the winner, who went one better next-time-out. He is still a pretty lightly-raced 7yo and he schooled well over National-style fences for me on Thursday morning. Conditions will be fine and he fully deserves to be one of the favourites in here. I am really looking forward to riding him over these fences, which I think will bring out the best in him, and I expect a big run.

2.05pm

Local Affair

She only had the one start on the Flat so hopefully she can continue to progress with experience over hurdles. She actually looks to have run to a similar, decent level of form on all three starts and, while a fair bit more is obviously required here, a shot at black type in this Listed race is obviously well worth a go.

3.15pm

Gwencily Berbas

He was obviously brought down on the flat at Punchestown last time and he looks to have run better than his final beaten distance suggests over 3m in the Munster National at Limerick previously. This is a horse I used to ride when in Ireland a few years ago and he was very good, winning a Grade 2 and 3 over hurdles and also being placed in a Grade 1. This shorter trip and soft ground look ideal for him, and I can see him going well at a price here. It will be in spite of the UK handicapper if he does though, as he has given him an extra 8lb from his Irish mark. That appears very harsh but I still think he is overpriced in the betting.

KELSO – SUNDAY

1.15pm

Anteros

He didn’t do too badly over hurdles last time but hopefully a return to fences and the step up to 4m will see him in a better light. He has a tough task on, having gone up 6lb for his good win for me at Hereford, but hopefully there is more to come from him over fences.  This is a big field, which will suit his creeping style.

2.15pm

Vaniteux

I quite like his chances in here. He clearly didn’t run up to his best at Ascot last time – that was a strange race and he could never get into it – but he had earlier run a blinder when second over 2m in heavy ground at Cheltenham and I can see this longer trip suiting him as he gets on years. These veterans’ chases are a great addition to the racing calendar.