Jonbon will be a popular pick as the tapes go up for day two of the Grand National meeting.
Nicky Henderson's hurdler chased home stablemate Constitution Hill at the Cheltenham Festival a couple of weeks ago. That was one of the most impressive performances at the fixture in recent seasons, so Douvan's full-brother sets the standard for his next spring assignment.
Irish trainer Willie Mullins will be hoping to get one of the board with El Fabiolo, before his counterpart Joseph O'Brien sends Fakir D'Oudairies to the Marsh Chase. Both favourites run in the colours of JP McManus, who won last year's Grand National with Minella Times.
The chaser heads the weights for this year's renewal after 40 horses were declared yesterday.
Runners and race-by-race tips for Ladies Day at Aintree
1.45 – 20 Years Together, Alder Hey & Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 4f
1 Hang In There (IRE) 8 11 12 Emma Lavelle Tim Syder & Andrew Gemmell Joe Anderson (7)
2 Garry Clermont (FR) p 7 11 5 Jonjo O'Neill Mrs C. M. Walsh Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
3 Cobblers Dream (IRE) h,ts 6 11 4 Ben Case Lady Jane Grosvenor Jack Andrews (5)
4 Fils d'Oudairies (FR) 7 11 4 Nicky Henderson Mr Claudio Michael Grech James Bowen
5 Langer Dan (IRE) 6 11 1 Dan Skelton Mr Colm Donlon Harry Skelton
6 Some Day Soon (IRE) p 9 11 1 Jamie Snowden Ogilvy, Shaw, Morley&The Racegoers Club A. P. Heskin
7 Tronador (IRE) p 6 11 0 Gordon Elliott Ireland Mr M. Wasylocha Jack Kennedy
8 Top Moon (FR) 7 10 13 Ben Haslam Mr John P. McManus Richie McLernon
9 Lucky Max (GER) 6 10 12 Dan Skelton Mr Dan Skelton Bridget Andrews
10 Balco Coastal (FR) 6 10 12 Nicky Henderson Mr Mark Blandford Nico de Boinville
11 Quinta Do Mar (IRE) 7 10 11 Ben Pauling The Bourtoneers Kielan Woods
12 Highway One O Two (IRE) 7 10 11 Chris Gordon Mr Anthony Ward-Thomas Tom Cannon
13 Paddys Motorbike (IRE) ts, p 10 10 11 Sam Thomas Walters Plant Hire Ltd Egan Waste Ltd Finn Lambert (7)
14 Rockadenn (FR) ts 6 10 10 Alastair Ralph S W Racing Nick Scholfield
15 Navajo Pass ts 6 10 10 Donald McCain Mr T. G. Leslie Theo Gillard (3)
16 Politesse (IRE) ts 8 10 10 Mrs Lorna Fowler Ireland P.G. Davies/Mrs A.Frost/R.H. Fowler Conor Orr (3)
17 Broomfield Burg (IRE) 6 10 10 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Aidan Coleman
18 Solwara One (IRE) 8 10 8 Neil Mulholland Mrs Jane Gerard-Pearse Sam Twiston-Davies
19 Speech Bubble (IRE) 7 10 8 Noel Williams Tim Syder Gavin Sheehan
20 Fred (FR) 7 10 8 Nicky Henderson Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob
21 Mackenberg (GER) 7 10 8 Donald McCain Mr T. G. Leslie Brian Hughes
22 Peking Rose ts 7 10 8 Fergal O'Brien Coln Valley Partnership Paddy Brennan
TIP: LANGER DAN can make up for his Cheltenham disappointment in the Ladies Day opener. Brought down at the second flight there, he is still on a good mark given his proximity to Galopin Des Champs at the meeting 12 months earlier. Speech Bubble also looks on a decent weight on her form with fellow Prestbury Park scorer Love Envoi.
2.20 – Betway Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 103y
1 A Different Kind (IRE) 5 11 4 Donald McCain Mr Dene Rowe Brian Hughes
2 Aucunrisque (FR) 6 11 4 Chris Gordon Goodwin Racing Ltd Tom Cannon
3 El Fabiolo (FR) h 5 11 4 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede P. Townend
4 Eyed 5 11 4 Paul Webber Mr Martin Hughes Tom Scudamore
5 First Street h 5 11 4 Nicky Henderson Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Nico de Boinville
6 Jonbon (FR) 6 11 4 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Aidan Coleman
7 Salamanca Bay (IRE) 6 11 4 J. Fogarty Ireland Mr Allan Stennett M. P. Fogarty
8 Suprise Package 6 11 4 Peter Fahey Ireland Mr Paul D. Leech
9 Vina Ardanza (IRE) 5 11 4 Gordon Elliott Ireland Alymer Stud Ltd Davy Russell
TIP: JONBON's second to impressive winner Constitution Hill at the Festival was perfectly respectable and he can return to winning ways in the second contest of the afternoon. His stablemate was exceptional and Douvan's full brother was the only one to make a race of it.
2.55 – Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 3m 210y
1 Ahoy Senor (IRE) 7 11 4 Lucinda Russell Mrs C Wymer & Mr PJS Russell Derek Fox
2 Bravemansgame (FR) 7 11 4 Paul Nicholls John Dance and Bryan Drew Harry Cobden
3 Fury Road (IRE) ts, p 8 11 4 Gordon Elliott Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jack Kennedy
4 L'homme Presse (FR) 7 11 4 Venetia Williams DFA Racing (Pink & Edwards) Charlie Deutsch
TIP: BRAVEMANSGAME missed Cheltenham to tackle the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase. Paul Nicholls has already had a Grade 1 winner at this meeting and the seven-year-old can get the better of L'Homme Presse as the fresher horse.
3.30 – Marsh Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f 200y
1 Allmankind ts 6 11 7 Dan Skelton The Gredley Family Harry Skelton
2 Captain Guinness (IRE) 7 11 7 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Declan Landy Rachael Blackmore
3 Editeur du Gite (FR) 8 11 7 Gary Moore The Preston Family, Friends & T Jacobs Joshua Moore
4 Fakir d'Oudairies (FR) 7 11 7 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh
5 Funambule Sivola (FR) 7 11 7 Venetia Williams My Racing Manager Friends Charlie Deutsch
6 Hitman (FR) ts 6 11 7 Paul Nicholls Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done Bryony Frost
7 Mister Fisher (IRE) 8 11 7 Nicky Henderson James & Jean Potter Ltd James Bowen
8 Paint The Dream ts 8 11 7 Fergal O'Brien Mr David Brace Connor Brace
9 Saint Calvados (FR) ts 9 11 7 Paul Nicholls Kate & Andrew Brooks Harry Cobden
10 Sceau Royal (FR) 10 11 7 Alan King Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob
TIP: FAKIR D'OUDAIRIES is the class horse in the line-up. No match for Allaho earlier in the season, he took this 12 months ago and put in a polished performance at Ascot most recently. Captain Guinness looks best of the rest up in trip for each-way backers.
4.05 – Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m 5f 19y
1 Royal Rendezvous (IRE) h 10 11 12 W. P. Mullins Ireland Dr S. P. Fitzgerald P. Townend
2 Notebook (GER) ts 9 11 10 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Rachael Blackmore
3 Battleoverdoyen (IRE) ts 9 11 8 Gordon Elliott Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Jack Kennedy
4 Sizing Pottsie (FR) ts 8 11 6 Mrs J. Harrington Ireland Ann & Alan Potts Limited Robbie Power
5 Annamix (FR) ts 9 11 5 W. P. Mullins Ireland Mrs S. Ricci Daniel Mullins
6 Windsor Avenue (IRE) bl 10 11 1 Brian Ellison Phil & Julie Martin Sean Quinlan
7 Killer Clown (IRE) ts 8 10 13 Emma Lavelle Tim Syder Tom Bellamy
8 Foxy Jacks (IRE) p 8 10 9 M. F. Morris Ireland Mr D. F. Desmond Jonathan Moore
9 Senior Citizen 9 10 8 Alan King McNeill Family A. P. Heskin
10 Discordantly (IRE) p 8 10 8 Mrs J. Harrington Ireland The Odd Fellows Partnership Sean O'Keeffe
11 Janika (FR) bl,ts 9 10 8 Nicky Henderson Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob
12 Tamaroc Du Mathan (FR) ts 7 10 7 Paul Nicholls Mrs Johnny de la Hey Harry Cobden
13 Snugsborough Hall (IRE) h 11 10 7 L. P. Cusack Ireland Rising Sun Partnership E. Walsh (3)
14 Palmers Hill (IRE) 9 10 7 Jonjo O'Neill Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
15 Mister Coffey (FR) 7 10 6 Nicky Henderson Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Nico de Boinville
16 Riders Onthe Storm (IRE) ts 9 10 5 Richard Hobson Carl Hinchy and Mark Scott Kielan Woods
17 Romain de Senam (FR) ts 10 10 4 David Pipe Judith Wilson Philip Armson (7)
18 Regal Encore (IRE) ts 14 10 4 Anthony Honeyball Mr John P. McManus Richie McLernon
19 Fantastic Lady (FR) 7 10 2 Nicky Henderson Mr E. R. Hanbury James Bowen
20 Via Dolorosa (FR) bl,ts 10 10 2 David Pipe Judith Wilson Tom Scudamore
21 Spiritofthegames (IRE) p 10 10 1 Dan Skelton Mr N. W. Lake Harry Skelton
22 Francky du Berlais (FR) ts 9 10 0 Peter Bowen Mr Roddy Owen Brendan Powell
23 Mac Tottie ts 9 10 0 Peter Bowen Steve & Jackie Fleetham Sean Bowen
24 Mister Whitaker (IRE) ts 10 10 0 Donald McCain Mr T. G. Leslie Brian Hughes
25 Batcio (FR) 10 10 0 T. M. Walsh Ireland Luke McMahon Adam Wedge
26 Five Star Getaway (IRE) 8 10 0 Christian Williams Carl Hinchy and Mark Scott Nick Scholfield
27 Morning Vicar (IRE) 9 10 0 Nicky Henderson The Parishioners
28 Colorado Doc 11 10 0 David Brace Mr David Brace Connor Brace
29 Cobolobo (FR) ts, p 10 10 0 Jonjo O'Neill Anne, Harriet & Lucinda Bond
30 Pink Eyed Pedro ts, p 11 10 0 David Brace Mr David Brace Jack Tudor
TIP: SENIOR CITIZEN enjoys the Grand National fences and he appears to have been laid out for this. Third 12 months ago, he should be all the better for his Newbury run 34 days ago. Last year's fourth Snugsborough Hall is another for the shortlist.
4.40 – Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 149y
1 Banbridge (IRE) 6 11 7 Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland Mr R. A. Bartlett J. J. Slevin
2 Bold Endeavour 6 11 7 L J Morgan Countrywide Park Homes Ltd Adam Wedge
3 Bowtogreatness (IRE) 6 11 7 Ben Pauling Harry Redknapp & Sophie Pauling Kielan Woods
4 Bridge North (IRE) 6 11 7 Henry Daly Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Richard Patrick
5 Crystal Glory 6 11 7 Nicky Richards Charlie Doocey / Cathal Doocey Sean Quinlan
6 Duke of Bronte 8 11 7 Dan Skelton Harts Farm Stud 2 Harry Skelton
7 Fair Frontieres (IRE) 7 11 7 Kim Bailey The Front Ears David Bass
8 Gelino Bello (FR) 6 11 7 Paul Nicholls Mr and Mrs J. D. Cotton Harry Cobden
9 Gentleman At Arms (IRE) 5 11 7 Stuart Edmunds D & B Partnership Ciaran Gethings
10 Green Book (FR) 5 11 7 Venetia Williams Lady Price, C Shaw, C Boylan & I Tagg Charlie Deutsch
11 My Bobby Dazzler 7 11 7 Mel Rowley Mr Bob Barrett Alex Edwards
12 Skytastic (FR) 6 11 7 Sam Thomas Walters Plant Hire Ltd Sam Twiston-Davies
13 Stag Horn p 5 11 7 Archie Watson Ben & Sir Martyn Arbib Nick Scholfield
14 Haute Estime (IRE) 5 11 0 Lucinda Russell Brahms & Liszt Derek Fox
TIP: The promising CRYSTAL GLORY ran well behind the talented Hillcrest at Haydock. He makes plenty of appeal inrace six, along with the unbeaten Skytastic, who won despite the ground most recently.
5.15 – Park Palace Ponies Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys' and Amateur Riders) 2m 103y
1 Faivoir (FR) 7 11 12 Dan Skelton Mrs Suzanne Lawrence Mr Tristan Durrell (7)
2 Hacker des Places (FR) 5 11 2 Paul Nicholls Owners Group 068 Angus Cheleda (5)
3 Richmond Lake (IRE) 6 11 1 Donald McCain Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Theo Gillard (3)
4 Antey (GER) ts, p 9 10 13 Patrick Griffin Ireland Gerry McGladery & Jim Beaumont A. W. Short (3)
5 Albert's Back p 8 10 12 Michael & David Easterby Golden Ratio & J Blackburn Jack Tudor
6 Gipsy de Choisel (FR) 6 10 11 Nicky Henderson Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Mr Ben Bromley (7)
7 Due Reward (IRE) ts, p 9 10 11 Charlie Longsdon Mr Alan Halsall Lilly Pinchin (5)
8 Marine One 8 10 11 Dr Richard Newland Deva Racing (MO) Mr Luke Scott (7)
9 Washington 6 10 10 Olly Murphy Tim Syder Fergus Gregory
10 Mandarin Monarch (IRE) ts, p 9 10 9 A. J. McNamara Ireland Red Or Black Syndicate
11 Severance 6 10 8 Ben Pauling The Megsons Kevin Brogan (3)
12 Homme Public (FR) ts, p 5 10 8 Oliver Greenall The Nevers Racing Partnership II Mr Toby Wynne (7)
13 Whizz Kid (GER) ts 6 10 8 Dr Richard Newland Foxtrot Racing Whizz Kid Cillin Leonard (5)
14 Thibault ts 9 10 8 (7lb ex) Adam West Farm Fencing Limited Ben Ffrench Davis (7)
15 Red Force One 7 10 5 Philip Kirby The Yorkshire Puddings Joe Williamson (5)
16 Just The Man (FR) 6 10 5 John O'Shea Mr K. W. Bell Conor Orr (3)
17 Lively Citizen (IRE) 7 10 5 D. J. Jeffreys Mark E Smith,Brake Horse Power Syndicate Archie Bellamy (7)
TIP: WHIZZ KID has bolted up on his last two starts and he may rate better than this mark as he starts out in handicaps. The gutsy Lively Citizen is always a top contender to make the frame.
