PROTEKTORAT (2:55) is a safe bet in the Betway Bowl Chase on Day 1 of the Grand National Meeting at Aintree.
We had thrills at last week's Scottish Grand National and expect more on Merseyside.
Dan Skelton’s star absolutely bolted up from The Shunter in the Manifesto here 12 months ago.
He ran another stormer when chinned by Midnight Shadow in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham.
The gelding was staying-on on well up the hill leading Skelton to target a 3m 1f Grade 2 back here.
That proved a very wise decision as the seven-year-old old totally dominated a high-class field.
However, he really excelled himself when a bold third to A Plus Tard in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
That is the best form on offer in a hot Grade 1 so this class act can enjoy more glory on Merseyside.
The top trainer can add the Randox Foxhunters' Chase to his tally with MARRACUDJA (4:05).
The gelding was good enough to finish third to Defi Du Seuil in the 2020 Clarence House at Ascot.
He put in his best shift since when hammering Darebin on his comeback at Fontwell in October.
Not as good in handicaps afterwards, he was a fair third to Wagner on his hunter debut at Hereford.
The 11-year-old built on that effort when comfortably defeating Indirocco up in trip at Leicester.
The veteran will relish this tough test of jumping and galloping so he can score for his in-form yard.
WAR LORD (1:45) can take command for Colin Tizzard in the opening Manifesto Novices’ Chase.
A fair hurdler, the grey hacked up from Witness Protection on his fencing bow at Newton Abbot.
He took his form up another notch when cosily defeating the talented Minella Drama at Carlisle.
The gelding then made the most of a hopeless task when chasing home Edwardstone at Sandown.
The seven-year-old gained due compensation when brushing aside the useful Faivoir at Lingfield.
He then made relentless late headway to claim fourth in last month’s Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham.
The son of Jukebox Jury rates a sure-fire improver over 2m 4f so he can deny some talented rivals.
PIED PIPER (2:20) can call the tune for Gordon Elliott in the Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle.
Decent on the Flat, the gelding decisively defeated Vauban on his timber debut at Punchestown.
He then put a strong field to the sword on his first attempt at Grade 2 company at Cheltenham.
The juvenile lost little in defeat when a gallant third in the Triumph back at the Prestbury venue.
There is plenty more to come from this pacey type who can enjoy a Grade 1 triumph of his own.
Nicky Henderson’s EPATANTE (3:30) can claim her eighth Grade 1 success in the Aintree Hurdle.
The superstar hit the heights when hacking up from Sharjah in the 2020 Champion at Cheltenham.
She ran another blinder when dead-heating with Not So Sleepy in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle in November.
The eight-year-old was even better when thrashing Glory And Fortune at Kempton on Boxing Day.
She then gave the brilliant Honeysuckle most resistance in this year’s Champion at Cheltenham.
The mare was doing all her best work late up the hill so she can resume winning ways over 2m 4f.
THYME WHITE (4:40) looks tasty for Paul Nicholls in the competitive Red Rum Handicap Chase.
The gelding kicked off his fencing career with an excellent second to Amarillo Sky at Wincanton.
He then blotted his copybook when unseating his rider at the first fence when next seen at Ascot.
However, the six-year-old bounced back by hosing up from Nero Rock in a warm Doncaster novice.
The son of Anodin clearly needed the run when second to Golden Boy Grey after a break at Ascot.
The chaser should be primed by Team Ditcheat so he can see off a strong field under Bryony Frost.
Rachael Blackmore is an eye-catching booking on LADY EXCALIBUR (5:15) in the bumper.
Alan Jones’ horse went into plenty of notebooks when crushing Luke San on debut at Stratford.
She did little wrong when second to solid yardstick Presenting Nelly on her return at Uttoxeter.
The mare soon put that experience to good use when slaying Last Of A Legend over track and trip.
I doubt that we’ve seen the best of this smart type who can cut some promising foes down to size.
HOWDILYOUDO (1:35) can land the Dinas Hurdle at Ffos Las for thriving trainer Jamie Snowdon.
The mare improved again when second to Found On over two miles at Worcester in September.
The seven-year-old doesn’t lack stamina so she can make a successful return upped six furlongs.
LONGSHANKS (2:10) can reign supreme for Phillip Hobbs in the novices’ handicap chase.
The eight-year-old recorded a career best over fences when powering clear of Fulgurix at Exeter.
The gelding wasn’t exactly stopping over 2m 4f that day so he can strike again over three miles.
BEAU HAZE (2:45) can put his rivals in the shade in the Griffin-Dale Handicap Hurdle.
Phillip Dando’s gelding returned to form with an impressive defeat of Heltenham at Chepstow.
The nine-year-old likes this venue so he can make light of a 5lb penalty for his thriving handler.
SILVER IN DISGUISE (3:20) has an obvious chance in the gruelling West Wales National.
Tim Vaughan’s chaser relished tackling 3m 4f when easily dismissing Light Flicker at Chepstow.
The grey remains nicely unexposed as a stayer so he can shrug off a well-deserved 6lb hike.
AINTREE
1:45 WAR LORD
2:20 PIED PIPER
2:55 PROTEKTORAT (NAP)
3:30 EPATANTE
4:05 MARRACUDJA
4:40 THYME WHITE
5:15 LADY EXCALIBUR
GARRY’S DOUBLE: PROTEKTORAT (NAP) AND EPATANTE
FFOS LAS
1:00 BOOMBAWN
1:35 HOWDILYOUDO
2:10 LONGSHANKS
2:45 BEAU HAZE
3:20 SILVER IN DISGUISE
3:50 MUMBO JUMBO
4:25 CASWELL BAY
TAUNTON
1:27 KOLISI
2:02 GERARD MENTOR
2:35 MAD ABOUT SALLY
3:10 INCA DE LAFAYETTE
3:45 TIME TO TINKER
4:20 RED HAPPY
4:52 TIMELY GIFT
5:25 CAMULUS
CHELMSFORD
4:00 PIPS TUNE
4:35 FINERY
5:08 INTELLIGENTSIA
5:43 BAKERSBOY
6:15 MARMALASHES
6:45 MASHAAN
7:15 ATRAFAN
LIMERICK
1:20 BYNX
1:55 CHAMPAGNE TOWN
2:28 BRAVO TEAM
3:03 MASTERSTONEMASON
3:38 BALLYADAM DESTINY
4:13 DRAGON'S PASS
4:45 FOUR HORSEMEN
5:20 LEITRIM PARK
GOWRAN PARK
3:55 KARKIYNA
4:30 LEVEL PITCH
5:00 MASSAMAN
5:30 NECTARIS
6:00 DERRY LAD
6:30 WORDSWORTH
7:00 VISCHIO
7:30 HAMMERSMITH
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