RACING/AINTREE PREVIEW: IT USUALLY pays to back horses at Aintree who gave Cheltenham a miss, so Silviniaco Conti has a freshness advantage in today's John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase.

Big things were expected of him over fences this season and he has not quite lived up to those expectations. There was no disgrace in being beaten by Grands Crus at Kempton but he was brushed aside easily by Invictus at Ascot.

However, news of the cough then broke from Paul Nicholls and now the yard is firing on all cylinders again he is a confident selection.

Finian’s Rainbow can follow up his controversial Queen Mother win at Cheltenham in the John Smith’s Melling Chase. Nicky Henderson’s gorgeous looking nine-year-old finally delivered on the biggest stage last month and now looks the finished article.

Plenty had written him off after he was worried out of it by Somersby in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot, but that may just have come too soon after his winning seasonal reappearance at Kempton. Having been very head strong as a novice last season, which cost him dearly when beaten by Captain Chris in the Arkle, he settles much better these days.

In fact, he appeared to have lost his zip before Cheltenham but if anything he outstayed Sizing Europe up the hill. Given the former champion stays much further than two miles, this two-and-a-half-mile trip should hold no fears, and let’s not forget he was only beaten six lengths in the Neptune of 2010 by Peddlers Cross.

Albertas Run could give him most to do on the back of another terrific run in the Ryanair.

Fingal Bay arrives for the John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle a fresh horse after missing Cheltenham. Philip Hobbs’ unbeaten six-year-old was ante-post favourite for the Neptune last month but a late setback forced him to miss the race.

HENRY Cecil’s unbeaten colt Frankel has picked up a “superficial” injury when working in Newmarket yesterday morning. Winner of all nine of his starts to date, including the 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes last season, he was due to make his comeback this term in the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 19th.

He had been pencilled in for a racecourse gallop at Newbury next weekend but those plans may now be up in the air. Frankel has injured his off-fore and will be monitored daily.

“He is such an extravagant mover that he hit himself. At this stage the injury looks superficial but he will be kept monitored over the next few days,” said Cecil yesterday.