THERE will be ample opportunities for Irish visitors to capitalise on their Cheltenham gains at Aintree during the next three days, and somehow I feel that after a break of 21 years this may be our turn in Saturday's Grand National.
Cable Beach, Gambolling Doe and Manhattan Castle represent us in today's Sandeman Maghull Novice Chase. The going has dried out and ideal jumping ground is expected for the rest of the week. Michael Cunningham has secured the services of Richard Dunwoody for Cable Beach and there is no one who rides this course or few others for that matter better than the Ulsterman.
As Liverpool comes only two weeks after Cheltenham, punters will be wary of horses that had hard races at the Festival. Cable Beach set off like the proverbial scalded cat in the Arkle Chase and ran himself into the ground by the third last. However, he finished only two lengths behind the Arkle winner, Ventana Canyon, at Punchestown, and if he can be restrained a little more, this bold jumping front runner could well go close.
Manhattan Castle represents Arthur Moore, who has a good strike rate here. The novice was well supported in the Arkle Chase but reared and unseated his rider at the start. He won the Arkle at Leopardstown and arrives here fresh.
I prefer him to Cable Beach and the Paddy Mullins trained Gambolling Doe, who must have a chance on his close second to Arctic Kinsman in a novice chase at Warwick last month. The latter subsequently finished a 20 lengths runner up to Ventana Canyon at Cheltenham. Manhattan Castle may be poised to recoup Festival losses.
What A Question, who ran a good race to finish third behind Cybro and Mysilv in the Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, attempts to win the Barton and Guestier Handicap Hurdle for the second year running. However, she has 18lb more to carry and in common with many Irish hurdlers is rated 8lb more in England than at home.
Arthur Moore runs Amble Speedy, who stays well and does not appear to be overburdened with 10st 1lb. He has not won since Leopardstown 14 months ago but has run well on a few occasions this season. He may pay for each way support in an open race.
All The Aces and Back Bar represent Moore in the John Hughes Trophy, with Frank Woods riding the latter, who has enough to do for a novice. This, the first of three races over the big fences this week, is always a tricky affair and" it may have arrived a little soon for the Cheltenham winner, Old Bridge. Graham Bradley's mount, Go Universal, is a consistent sort and could resume winning ways here.
The Gold Cup third, Couldn't Be Better, certainly looked well after his sojourn in Pisa, and while error prone, needed the race. He finished three lengths ahead of Barton Bank, who ran so badly in this race last year, and can confirm the placings in the featured Martell Cup.
I like Jenny Pitman's Egypt Mill Prince, who ran Dublin Flyer to half a length in the Mackeson Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November. He also ran well to finish third behind Rough Quest in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton, and if he can last this extended three miles, might get the better of Couldn't Be Better.
Our Kris, my choice for the Triumph Hurdle, fell heavily at the second flight and is given another chance in the Glenlivet Novices Hurdle. The going will suit Nicky Henderson's charge. Likewise stable companion Kimanicky, runner up in the Supreme Novices Hurdle and who is said to have recovered well. If so, he will go close in the Seagram Top Novice Hurdle.
