After the heartbreak of Cheltenham I have to be with GERRI COLOMBE again. He had won every race before the Brown Advisory where he lost by the finest of margins. He stayed on really well after not travelling as well as he usually does but just couldn’t head The Real Whacker. He is the best horse in here and this should suit a bit more than Cheltenham and he will be the one to beat.

It doesn’t look a really deep race and Bronn would definitely be the main danger. He travelled like the winner in the Brown Advisory when they turned into the straight but got out stayed and faded into 3rd. He might be stronger in the finish at Aintree but still has the selection to beat. Complete Unknown could still have more to come at this trip and will likely be best of the rest.

Dan Skelton took this last year with Langer Dan and they are well represented again with PLAYFUL SAINT who must have a good chance. He is lightly raced for his age and comes out well on the trends. He was really impressive beating a good yardstick in Washington by 12 lengths at Leicester last year and should be spot on for this now following that encouraging third to Iceo in the Imperial Cup. If he can settle better he should give Harry Skelton a really good spin.

Given the nature of the race and the places on offer I have backed 3 in this race so my second play is DARGIANNINI for Harry Derham. This son of Fame And Glory has won 2 of his last 3 and he did well to win at Newbury having been hampered by a faller early on. He was awkward over the last too but was nicely clear and kept on well. This is tougher but he is clearly going the right way. The other one I like is SONIGINO for Paul Nicholls. Harry Cobden has chosen to ride him over Irish Hill and this horse is also progressive having won 3 of his last 4 and is only up 2lb from that Huntingdon win.

I have a lot of respect for the favourite in this but INTHEPOCKET looks a cracking price. His last two runs have come at the top level with 2nd at the Dublin Racing Festival and finished 6 lengths 4th in the Supreme at Cheltenham where the fancied horses all ran to their best with the winner looking special. All the runners are improving with every race but he has form in the book at this level and plenty more to come.

Found A Fifty is a worthy favourite after thrashing Parmenion on hurdles debut before just getting beaten by Corbetts Cross who was in the process of showing how good he was before running out at Cheltenham. The race may not suit him though which is why I opposed him as it usually suits horses midfield or further back. Luccia wasn’t as good as we thought she was at Cheltenham but gets weight here so could go well.

Fakir D’oudairies is chasing a hat-trick in the race and has to be respected but he was fortunate to win at Thurles with Haut En Couleurs falling at the last and then looked laboured behind Shishkin in the Ascot Chase. Connections have reached for first-time headgear but something is telling me to take him on. I’m going to chance HITMAN at around 5/1 at the time of writing. He goes well at this track having missed just a head in the Old Roan over C&D on reappearance. Things didn’t go to plan in the King George where he had excuses (reportedly bled) but he was back on track at Newbury and then ran a cracker when third to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair and must have a big shout here.

Plenty of dangers potentially likely headed by stablemate Pic D’orhy who won 3 times beating Millers Bank before bumping into Shishkin at Ascot. He had Fakir d’Oudairies trailing 7 lengths behind that day so I think he should be clear favourite. Of the rest Fugitif is quite interesting as his form is hard to knock but he has been a bit of a negative in the betting which would be a little concerning. French Dynamite was a place behind the selection at Cheltenham last month so also deserves a mention.

A really open renewal of the Topham with GESSKILLE being the one that catches the eye. He looks an improving type and has likely be set out for this. He lost out by a nose over course and distance back in November after a break and will likely have improved a lot since then. They have been running him up in trip and I think he will be better back down at this distance as could prove popular in the betting off a nice racing weight.

At a massive price I think QUEL DESTIN could run a massive races based on his run at Sandown last time out. He is improving all the time over fences and his run style should really suit so I am surprised he is as big as 33/1 at the time of writing.

Dan Skelton in these handicaps is always worth a second kook and Ashtown Lad could be the main danger. Of the rest Upping The Anti and Al Dancer could go well.

Some nice novices lining up for this and Nicholls will be looking to win it for the second year on the trot having won it with Gelino Bello last year. STAY AWAY FAY really impressed at Cheltenham last month winning the Albert Bartlett so convincingly and with further improvement on the cards on just his fourth start over hurdles he could prove hard to beat. He has a real likeable attitude to go along with his ability and could win this before being targeted over fences next season.

Maximilian beat the selection at Doncaster when last seen back in January and might be the one to give him most to think about. Of those at bigger prices Grey Dawning is likely to go well as he has won his last 3 and could still have further improvement to come. Absolute Notions bumped into Inthepocket at Naas and then Good Land at the DRF so has strong form in the book already and is also entitled to get competitive but hasn’t exactly been overlooked in the betting.

Day 2 at Aintree is capped off with a 22-runner amateur rider handicap which is as tough as it sounds. I have two against the field here with my best bet the hat-trick seeking PARRAMOUNT for Charlie Longsdon. His form since going handicapping is 2nd, 1st & 1st with his wins coming by massive margins. He is up 10lbs for his last win but Bradley Roberts claims 7lb so he only runs carrying 3lbs higher here and should go really well.

The other each-way bet in the race is KNICKERBOCKERGLORY for the Skelton yard. He ran a couple of good runs over fences to start the season before a really good 2nd behind Iceo at Sandown. His jockey takes off a valuable 5lbs and he should run a big race.

The favourite Go Dante has one of the best amateurs on in Jamie Codd and he seemingly stepped forward last time at Wetherby. If improving again he has to be a danger to all. Of the rest JPR Run could be in the mix based on a nice win at Taunton after being highly tried before that.