2:20 Aintree Tips

This horse finished 3rd in the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The extra distance here looks sure to suit and should come home in front barring accidents.

The fav will be hard to beat in this Grade 1 novice chase, but he did have a hard race at the festival. The selection has 3 wins from 4 over fences. He was not helped by the heavy ground last time out but is still unexposed. He was a 7L Grade 2 winner two starts back, loving the quicker ground and winning in a fast time. He'll be fresh after a two-month break and is worth an each-way shout.

Bucketloads to find on ratings, but going back left-handed could be a plus for Nicholl’s horse, who hasn’t shown his ability yet over jumps. He’s been held out wide on the last two occasions at Kempton, often looking like he wants to go left, so this track could be more to his liking. He’s priced accordingly, but the first-time cheekpieces did help to sharpen up his jumping last time, and they’re retained here. Shoved up in class, he could well end up with a bit of a freebie up front, and he showed last time that he does at least possess a bit of an engine, fighting on well off a big weight in a handicap. As I said, he’s got loads to find; the 5-year-olds do have a poor record in this, which does put you off Lulamba, for all it could be a procession for him. Of the older horses, Jax Junior is held by Lulamba, and Koktail Divin may prefer softer ground.