My Mate Vinnie won't be far away in the novices' chase at 13:30 but the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Susquehana River could just have a bit too much for him. The six-year-old, who progressed into a fair hurdler in just a few starts, looked a decent prospect when making a winning debut over fences on his return at Wetherby earlier this month, putting in a bold display of jumping and having more in hand than the winning margin would suggest having idled close to home. A 6 lb rise in the weights will not inconvenience him, and he is almost certain to improve further.
At the likely prices it's worth taking a chance on Scots Gaelic in the 15:15, with the six-year-old likely to be spot on for this having been given a pipe-opener on the Flat for his new yard at York earlier this month. When judged on his second to Foildubh in a handicap hurdle at Tipperary at this time last year he could be fairly treated off a mark on 125, and he certainly has to enter calculations.
Our final selection comes in the 15:50 in which useful bumper horses Hellorboston and Royal Regatta, alongside Dundee, merit serious consideration. However that trio are all making their seasonal returns here and could be found out by Spirit Of Shankly, who got off the mark at the fourth time of asking over timber at Market Rasen late last month. Spirit Of Shankly remains with potential, particularly now upped to two and a half miles, a distance which has always seemed sure to suit, and he is taken to follow up.
Timeform SmartPlays:
All at Aintree
Back Susquehana River @ 3.814/5 in the 13:30
Back Scots Gaelic @ 9.417/2 in the 15:15
Back Spirit Of Shankly @ 3.5551/20 in the 15:50
Timeform Breeders' Cup Guide - Available Tue 29 Oct!
