We are heading to Aintree with plenty of runners for the Grand National meeting which starts on Thursday.

Ginny’s Destiny, Kalif du Berlais and Bravemansgame have solid chances in the first three races on the card while Cap du Mathan should give my daughter Olive a great spin in the Hunter Chase.
Ginny’s Destiny hasn’t stopped improving since he joined us at the start of the season. In time I’m sure he will get three miles but the two and a half mile Grade 1 Chase looks the right option for him at Liverpool after his fine performance at Cheltenham
Then it is the turn of Kalif du Berlais who is unbeaten in two starts for us and goes for the Grade 1 Anniversary four year old hurdle. He was always going to by-pass the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and seems in top order at home.
It was clear Bravemansgame hated the heavy ground in the Gold Cup and hopefully conditions will be more suitable for him at Aintree.
On Friday Pic d’Orhy bids to repeat last year’s success in the Grade 1 Melling Chase. He’s another who missed the Cheltenham Festival to be fresh for Aintree.
Others of interest on Friday include Sonigino in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle and Afadil in the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle.
I’ve felt for some time that Kandoo Kid was an ideal candidate for the Topham Trophy but he doesn’t really want soft ground so I could keep him instead for Ayr.
Saturday sees Monmiral back in action after his brilliant victory in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. He’s been raised 6lbs to a mark of 144 and should still be competitive in the three mile handicap hurdle that opens the card on Grand National day.
One I can’t wait to see run is Caldwell Potter who is set to make his debut for us in the Grade 1 two and a half mile Mersey Novice Hurdle. While he doesn’t show too much at home his form in Ireland was very smart and I felt it was important to give him time to acclimatise after his purchase at a dispersal sale early in February.
For the latest news on all my runners on Thursday, Friday and Saturday please turn to my Betfair column which goes live the previous day.