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Aintree Betting: There's more than just the Grand National so consider these

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Wayne Bailey looks for the top bets across the many fine races scheduled for the next few days at Aintree

The Aintree Grand National may be the greatest steeplechase of all, but before we settle down to Saturday's main course we've some mouth-watering appetisers to enjoy first.

It just goes to show what a jam-packed action weekend we have in store, as races that include Kauto Star, Inglis Drever and Racing Demon are the mere sideshows!

As much as we all love the National, there's some serious business to attend to beforehand in an attempt to boost that Betfair balance. The festival kicks off today, so here are a few contenders that I hope will build up my Grand National dutching pot over the next few days!

Of course being the anorak that I am, there's a few notable trends thrown in for good measure...

THURSDAY:

2:00, John Smith's Great Float Social Club Liverpool Hurdle

Stand out stat: This is the fifth running of this race, and all winners so far were aged seven or under. In fact, no horse older than eight has ever been placed.

The big question here is whether Inglis Drever can buck the trend and win as a nine year old... déjà-vu anyone?

Unless you've been sharing a cave with Osama Bin Laden, you'll know that Howard Johnson's superstar is one of the biggest trend breakers of all. His critics will point to his relatively poor record at Aintree, however he's already beaten Blazing Bailey five times already, and I've a sneaky feeling that Cheltenham will have taken too much out of Kicks For Free.

4:55, Citroen C5 Mersey Novices' Hurdle

Stand out stat: Check your pedigrees, as no English-bred horse has won since Barton in 1999.

Franchoek is a tough battler, and Aintree may be just the place that suits. McCoy can make amends for his Triumph Hurdle loss, and the step up in trip should be no problem today.

FRIDAY:

3:10, John Smith's Melling Chase

Stand out stat: Eight out of the last ten winners ran at the previous Cheltenham festival.

Hands up who thought Nicolas Sarkozy's wife was the hottest thing to come out of France? ...Wrong!

At the tender age of five, Master Minded is officially the best chaser in the world and Nicholls' import has superstar stamped all over him. He's already frightened off some potential entries for this race, and if there is such thing as a banker, Master Minded fits the bill (albeit at a restricted price).

3:45 John Smith's Topham Chase

Stand out stat: Beware of the 'jolly' here. No favourite has won this race since Cyfor Malta in 1999.

This race has proved difficult for backers in recent years, but Irish gelding Well Tutored should be capable of landing this chase at nice odds. I was on hand at Leopardstown to witness a fantastic jumping display last month, and he seems to have put a poor spell of form well behind him. In The High Grass (another Irish trained horse) can follow up in the place market.

SATURDAY:

2:15 John Smith's Maghull Novices' Chase Grade 1 (Cl1)

Stand out stat: Five-year-old horses have won half of the previous ten renewals of this race.

Another French import from Nicholls, Takeroc looks like another exciting prospect. He's had only one run in Britain to date when winning a Novices' Chase at Sandown recently, but he's a five-time winner across the channel. Ruby Walsh can continue winning ways in England.

2:50 Scottish And Newcastle Pub Enterprises Aintree Hurdle

Stand out stat: All winners in the past ten years have had a Racing Post Rating higher than 160.

He may have been caught out by Katchit in the Champion Hurdle, but Osana is still a potential top-class hurdler. Irish-trained mare Lounaos skipped Cheltenham, but I'm told that she's been training well at home in Kilkenny and should be in contention for some place money at a decent price.

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As usual, we welcome your comments, so feel free to post your thoughts.