Aintree National Meeting - Day One

2:00:The feature of My Way de Solzen's win at Cheltenham was the strong gallop throughout. What that race proved was that it is not so much the ground that is important to the horse, as the test of stamina. Can't see this race being as strongly run. Therefore could be a problem if the ground is fairly lively. Mighty Man races as if it needs a strong gallop. Fire Dragon is improving, least likely to be inconvenienced by a steady early gallop.

2:35 Once again the ground could be important here. Beef Or Salmon is best when soft. If it is too lively could be put under pressure early on. One advantage this track has over Cheltenham is that is flat. No downhill galloping and jumping to worry about. Take The Stand's jumping is becoming a problem. In its favour is the decent ground, Cheltenham might have been too quick, also the low weight. L'Ami ran well in the Gold Cup on ground that was too quick. The same can be said about Monkerhostin. An interesting race with a lot of variables

3:10 Have to be wary about the chances of Triumph Hurdle winner Detroit City. Slower ground than at Cheltenham will probably help in terms of stamina but this is a sharper track. The key to the race is the pace that stable companion Fair Along travels at. Went a punishing gallop in the Triumph. where it only gave best at the last. This easier track and a wee bit more restraint could see positions reversed here. Afsoun was below its best at Cheltenham. A strong gallop on this course won't be so punishing.

3:45 Difficult race where the fitness of the top three is under question. Bothar Na is fit and this trip could suit better. Whereas Drombeag may find this too sharp.

4:20 Jacks Craic gives the impression of appreciating a strongly run race over this trip. This course will suit Town Crier better than Sandown. A very tight race.

4:55 This looks the least competitive race of the day. Blazing Bailey stayed on well in the Triumph. The quick ground made that race less of a stamina test than it could have been. The step up here looks ideal, providing it has not gone over the top. Buena Vista stayed on for pressure at Cheltenham. This step up is more of an unknown. Same can be said and more for Natal, who does not look certain to stay. A slowly run race could turn everything upside down though.

5:30 Another tight race Wyldello would appreciate a strongly run contest as would Amaretto Rose if its Towcester win is anything to go by.

Aintree Thursday

• 2:00 My Way de Solzen 168, Mighty Man 168, Fire Dragon 161, Classified 156, Westender 155, Dom d'Orgeval 151, No Refuge 146, Redemption 146, Fundamentalist 146, Starzaan 145, Carlys Quest 141
• 2:35 Beef Or Salmon 170, Take The Stand 168, L'Ami 165, Monkerhostin 165, Royal Emperor 158, My Will 158, Ollie Magern 150
• 3:10 Detroit City 164, Fair Along 160, Afsoun 158, Pace Shot 153, Turko 153, Shamayoun 152, Cogans Lake 149, Opera de Coeur 143
• 3:45 Junior Fontaine 124, Katarino 122, Munster 121, Bothar Na 120, Drombeag 120, Arctic Copper 117, Abbeytown 116, Christy Beamish 113, Galway Breeze 113, Gatsby 111, Moving Earth 111, Caught At Dawn 110, Beachcomber Bay 110, Cornish Gale 108, Satchmo 108, Arctic Times 107
• 4:20 Jacks Craic 166, Town Crier 165, Bambi de L'Orme 165, Tysou 164, Hand Inn Hand 162, Mansony 162, Almaydan 162, Greenhope 161, Demi Beau 161, Nyrche 161, Ground Ball 161, Bleu Superbe 161, Andreas 160, Palua 159, Armaturk 158
• 4:55 Blazing Bailey 159, Buena Vista 153, Natal 149, Patman Du Charmil 144, Chiaro 140, Boychuk 137, Some Touch 136, Harmony Brig 136, Craven 136
• 5:30 Wyldello 124, Amaretto Rose 123, Paix Eternelle 119, Saratogane 118, Apollo Lady 116, Classic Fantasy 114, Scarvagh Diamond 113, Miss Mitch 110, Rhacophorus 110, Ring Back 110

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