RUN WILD FRED (5.15) can gallop all over a top-class field in the Grand National on Day 3 at Aintree.
Gordon Elliott and Team Gigginstown know exactly how to land the world’s greatest horse race.
And they have another gilt-edged contender this time round in the shape of this admirable chaser.
A Grade 3-winning hurdler, the eight-year-old failed to sparkle over 2m 4f in his early novice career.
However, he relished tackling three miles when a good second to Longhouse Poet at Punchestown.
The gelding showed his liking for tough handicaps when a gallant second in the Thyestes at Gowran.
He raised his game again when chasing home Freewheelin Dylan in the Irish National at Fairyhouse.
The chaser deservedly landed a big prize of his own when routing Farclas in the Troytown at Navan.
The son of Shantou proved he had class as well as guts when second in a Leopardstown Grade 1.
He ran another stormer when giving Stattler most resistance in the National Hunt at Cheltenham.
The star is tailor-made for Aintree glory so he can storm clear under National expert Davy Russell.
J'AI FROID (1:45) can turn up the heat for Laura Morgan in the trappy EFT Handicap Hurdle.
The nine-year-old developed into a very useful stayer over timber in the early months of 2021.
He was only denied a five-timer by the fast-improving Hometown Boy in this race 12 months ago.
Switched to fences, the gelding didn’t exactly set the heather on fire on his first two outings.
However, he definitely wasn’t disgraced when fourth in the Reynoldstown at Ascot last time.
The bay remains fairly-treated over hurdles so he can resume winning ways for his shrewd yard.
WALKING ON AIR (2:25) can soar for Nicky Henderson in the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.
The gelding looked smart when second to Shallwehaveonemore in a Kempton bumper in March.
That led him to be sent off an odds-on favourite ahead of his timber bow at Newbury in January.
The gelding fully justified that confidence with a hugely impressive defeat of Hecouldbetheone.
The bay was staying-on strongly over two miles so he can land this hot Grade 1 up four furlongs.
GENTLEMAN DE MEE (3.00) can give Willie Mullins’ more Grade 1-glory in the Maghull Chase.
The six-year-old needed the run when fifth on his fencing bow in a warm Punchestown novice.
The gelding was a lot fitter when second to Haut En Couleurs in a similar race at Leopardstown.
He quickly put those experiences to good use when hacking up from Embrun Mitja at Thurles.
The chaser then shrugged off a promotion to Grade 3 level when routing Grange Walk at Navan.
JP McManus’ horse looks a proper Grade 1-performer so he can shock Arkle hero Edwardstone.
The top trainer can add the Weatherbys Bumper to his tally with RATH GAUL BOY (6.20 ).
The five-year-old earned a move to Closutton by landing his sole point in terrific style at Kinsale.
The gelding was an 8-13 favourite as a result of that triumph on his Rules debut at Leopardstown.
And he didn’t disappoint his supporters with an impressive six-length defeat of Golden Wonder's.
The son of Well Chosen clearly has a bright future so he can get the better of some exciting foes.
FLOORING PORTER (3:35) can land another knock-out blow in the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle.
Gavin Cromwell’s star oozed class when taking the 2021 Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The gelding was still going well when falling two out on his return in the Lismullen Hurdle at Naas.
He was then very unlucky not to reel in Klassical Dream in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Those runs were expected to set the seven-year-old up nicely for the defence of his Stayers’ crown.
And he made a magnificent return to the Prestbury venue with a devastating defeat of Thyme Hill.
The bold front-runner should be even better at this track so he can deny his chief victim once again.
KILLER KANE (4:15) looks deadly for Colin Tizzard in the competitive Betway Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old failed to build on his promising timber form on his first few runs over fences.
However, the gelding hit back when hammering the useful Valsheda over three miles at Kempton.
He stayed on the rise when cosily denying Flic Ou Voyou in Listed company over 2m 4f at Sandown.
There is plenty more to come from this strong-traveller who can defy a 5lb penalty back up in trip.
We had a great Scottish Grand National and expect more of the same at Aintree.
AINTREE
1:45 J'AI FROID
2:25 WALKING ON AIR
3.00 GENTLEMAN DE MEE
3:35 FLOORING PORTER
4:15 KILLER KANE
5.15 RUN WILD FRED (NAP)
6.20 RATH GAUL BOY
GARRY’S DOUBLE: RUN WILD FRED (NAP) AND WALKING ON AIR
BANGOR-ON-DEE
1:55 LINE OF DESCENT
2:33 ECUME ATLANTIQUE
3:08 DARANOVA
3:43 DAWN RAIDER
4:22 TIGERBYTHETAIL
4:52 SPIRIT OF REGULUS
NEWCASTLE
12:30 SONGBIRD'S TALE
1:00 WHELANS BRIDGE
1:37 EDMOND DANTES
2:15 RAPID RAIDER
2:50 BYZANTINE EMPIRE
3:25 THE KING OF MAY
4:00 GET WITH IT
4:40 KINGS CREEK
THIRSK
12:55 FIX YOU
1:30 DEPUTY
2:05 AS IF BY CHANCE
2:40 MUTASAABEQ
3:15 NAVELLO
3:50 FORZA ORTA
4:30 CUBANA HABANA
5:00 INDEPENDENCE DAY
