/ Editor / 11 April 2007 /

The 3m Liverpool Hurdle (14.00) represents an exhilarating curtain-raiser to Aintree's Grand National meeting with three old adversaries, Inglis Drever, Mighty Man and Blazing Bailey, all renewing rivalry.

The high-class trio finished in that order when clashing in a memorable encounter for the World Hurdle over a similar distance at last month's Cheltenham Festival - a thrilling contest in which the market leader, Black Jack Ketchum, let favourite backers down by falling at the third.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the way Inglis Drever won at Cheltenham was the fact he was off the bridle for most of the way and looked sure to down tools had Paddy Brennan not kept pushing his partner. Layers looking for an angle to oppose Inglis Drever will once again hope he races in a somewhat lazy fashion, because without the Prestbury Park hill to slow the opposition, his task appears all the more difficult.

Contrastingly Mighty Man is well-suited by Aintree's fast right-handed track, a point he underlined in no certain terms by claiming the notable scalp of My Way de Solzen in the race 12 months ago to the day. Henry Daly's raider loves the prevailing quick ground and, if stable vibes are positive, is sure to be accordingly well supported in his bid to gain revenge over Inglis Drever.

Black Jack Ketchum also won at the meeting in 2006, taking the valuable Grade 1 novices' event in similarly convincing fashion to Mighty Man. The reputation of Jonjo O'Neill's star has since been shot to bits by two successive defeats, although that is not to say the classy eight-year-old will not bounce back and prove his critics wrong.

Blazing Bailey's participation simply adds more spice to an already classic encounter. Robert Thornton's mount ran a blinder to finish third in the World Hurdle and, with his confirmed flat-race speed, is a risky win and place lay to say the very least.

Fire Dragon looks outclassed, while Lough Derg hasn't won since 2005 and has plenty to do at these weights.

Turpin Green bids to improve already excellent Aintree record

Turpin Green, who did much to redeem his tarnished reputation by finishing third in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup, bids to improve an already excellent record at Aintree by winning the Betfair Bowl Chase (14.35).

Four rivals stand in his way, including Exotic Dancer, the form choice for the 3m1f race having finished two-and-a-half-lengths ahead of Turpin Green when the pair chased home Kauto Star at Cheltenham. Exotic Dancer, one of the most improved horses in training, had previously picked up two valuable handicaps and a grade 2 chase at Prestbury Park, none of which took the edge off the tough-as-teak seven-year-old despite the heavyweight nature of the races.

However he's had a very hard season compared to the fresh-as-paint, Turpin Green, who with the help of first-time blinkers defied his 40-1 outsider odds to produce a life-time best performance at the Festival. Additionally, the Nicky Richards-trained gelding always seems to reserve something special for Aintree (2 wins from 3 starts), and he could yet turn the tables on Exotic Dancer.

State Of Play gave his trainer, Evan Williams, a first major victory by landing last November's Hennessy Gold Cup, a contest in which the strongly fancied Turpin Green totally failed to fire. After Christmas the Williams' stable got a flat tyre, although State Of Play still ran with credit to nab sixth place in the Gold Cup. Having initially established his potential big-race credentials with a wide-margin course and distance win in the betfair.com Chase at last year's Grand National meeting, the seven-year-old could yet bustle up the principals.

David Pipe's Our Vic was heartbreakingly beaten by a neck when narrowly outpointed by Taranis in a thrilling climax to the Ryanair Chase at the Festival. He's closely-matched with Exotic Dancer and Turpin Green on the official ratings and therefore fully entitled to the greatest respect.

My Will is almost certain to go off at the longest odds of the quintet. However, he is a proven performer over this trip and plenty of backers will want to be on if his odds become over-generous.

Sheikh Mohammed's colours to the fore at Leicester

Given at least a couple of the three-year-olds in the line-up for Leicester's Kibworth Handicap (15.55) could have Royal Ascot on the agenda, the near 1m2f contest promises to be most informative.

Sheikh Mohammed seems sure to have a say in the outcome since his colours are set to be carried by two of the main contenders, Zar Solitario and Sweeney, trained by Mark Johnston and Michael Jarvis respectively.

Sweeney, twice successful at Lingfield late last year, hasn't run since flopping in the Cagnes-Sur-Mer mud two months ago, so from a fitness perspective Zar Solitario has the edge. The three-year old has enjoyed more recent back-to-back polytrack wins, latterly overturning a Jarvis-trained odds-on hot-pot, Silkwood, at Kempton. Using Silkwood as a yardstick, Jarvis' team should have some sort of guide as to whether Sweeney can match Zar Solitario punch-for-punch, a key factor which will doubtless be indicated by the direction of cash flow in early trading.

Another progressive colt with the potential to have a say in the argument is Metaphoric, who won his sole start to date over 1m at Nottingham last season. A son of the all-conquering sire, Montjeu, positive market support for Michael Bell's horse would suggest Metaphoric has been burning up the Newmarket gallops in preparation for his return to action.

John Dunlop cracked off the turf season with a nice winner at Nottingham the other day, a sign that all is well with his stables down in deepest Sussex. Dunlop is a dab hand at getting his three-year-olds well-handicapped, therefore Eglevski cannot be dismissed with any degree of confidence. Eglevski showed plenty of spirit to win on his final start as a juvenile at Pontefract (1m2f), although on the downside that victory is a strong indication that he may need at least 1m4f in order to hit top form.

Clive Brittain's Sahrati is another bred to appreciate middle-distances, a remark substantiated by his fast-finishing fourth at Lingfield over 1m in March. That was a decent effort which could prompt in-running players to take an interest, provided the early pace is fast-and-furious.

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