Friday’s big race at Liverpool is an event to grace any major festival meeting, and looks worth the admission fee alone as 11 horses brimming with talent line up for the John Smith’s Melling Chase over 2m 4f at 3.10pm.
 
I honestly couldn’t rule any of them out of the equation 100%, even 66/1 rag Mahogany Blaze who ran such a fine race in defeat against Well Chief in Cheltenham’s Connaught Chase back in November.
 
With Ryanair first, second and fourth Albertas Run, Poquelin and Deep Purple back on parade, talented veteran and Aintree lover Monet’s Garden in the field, plus Queen Mother Champion Chase second and third Forpadydeplasterer and Kalahari King on show it’s got the makings of a thriller.
 
That said, the winner of the Maghull Novices’ Chase at this meeting 12 months ago Kalahari King is the one who ticks most boxes for me, he’ll love the return to Aintree’s flat, galloping speed track, and upped in trip he can get his revenge on Forpadydeplasterer who finished ahead of him in the Queen Mother, and see off a host of other dangers.
 
Albertas Run has certainly displayed more resolution on a more consistent basis this time around, but he too still has the tendency to chuck in a stinker and might turn it in after putting in such a big shift at Cheltenham.
 
I’m a fan of Poquelin too, but as at Cheltenham he might find one too good once more, and that can prove to be Kalahari King for Ferdy Murphy and Graham Lee.
 
He’s only had two races this season, the first of which was his mightily impressive Cheltenham prep-run when he sluiced up under top weight in a very tough Doncaster handicap.
 
He’s a class act and can win this for his top stable at a general price of around 7/2 but Willian Hill are offering a standout 4/1.
 
Earlier in the day there’s a topical link to my tip for the opening John Smith’s Top Novices’ Hurdle: the Bulldog editor of this column is a devout Escort man, cruising around in a clapped out F registered version of the car by very same name, one with the exhaust blowing and a couple of bald tyres, while he also subscribes to the magazine.
 
Still, don’t let that put you off backing Escort’Men for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh – their four year old benefits from a 6lb age allowance and looks to hold an outstanding chance based on his romp in Kempton’s Dovecote Hurdle.
 
Kept fresh for this the sky’s the limit for this young horse, and he can sign off his first season in England with a major win on only his third start in this country. I think Aintree will suit down to the ground and the 3/1 available at Ladbrokes looks a good bet.
 
He obviously has a very good one to beat in the shape of Supreme Novices’ winner Menorah, but this could well be one race too many for him after he gave everything to see off Get Me Out Of Here at Cheltenham.
 
Don’t forget that Menorah isn’t immune to the odd blunder too, as demonstrated when he got turned over by Lush Life at Ascot in February when 1/2 favourite.
 
Good luck!
 
Friday’s best bets at Aintree:
 
2.00 – John Smith’s Top Novices’ Hurdle – 8 Escort’Men (win) @ 3/1 (Ladbrokes)
 
3.10 – John Smith’s Melling Chase – 5 Kalahari King (win) @ 7/2 (general, compare todays racing odds) or Best Price 4/1 with William Hill