By Chris Phillips
The Grand National meeting kicks off on Thursday with a mouthwatering battle between Shishkin and Gold Cup runner-up Gerri Colombe in the Aintree Bowl.
The focus may already be on the most famous steeplechase in the world on Saturday, but there is plenty of brilliant racing during the three-day festival in Liverpool.
Shishkin gets the nod to defend the crown he claimed 12 months ago when the Nicky Henderson-trained star edged Ahoy Senor by one and a half lengths, but he will come up against stiff opposition in the seven-runner field over an extended three miles.
Henderson endured a difficult time at Cheltenham last month when an apparent virus hit the Seven Barrows stables on the eve of the meeting, which resulted in Shishkin being declared a non-runner for the blue riband at Prestbury Park.
However, he will be fresh to face Gordon Elliott’s charge when Gerri Colombe bids to claim his second win on Merseyside following last year’s Grade One victory in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase.
Langer Dan, winner of the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, returns to action in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle and arrives on the back of a career-best effort..
Dan Skelton’s eight-year-old will be looking for a quickfire double at a track where he has won over course and distance, albeit in a handicap hurdle in 2022, so this represents a stiff rise in grade to the highest level.
Luccia was one of the few Nicky Henderson horses to perform with credit in Gloucestershire last month and is aiming to improve on her third-placed finish in the Champion Hurdle as one of seven challengers to Langer Dan but a chance is taken on the Skelton runner.
Skelton could have already been in the winner’s enclosure by that point as Grey Dawning targets a third successive victory in the opening Manifesto Novices’ Chase.
The seven-year-old will renew rivalries with Paul Nicholls’ Ginny’s Destiny, who he pipped by two lengths at Cheltenham, in a bid to secure a ninth career win at the 13th attempt.
One who Henderson will be desperate to win is Sir Gino, who runs in the Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.
He was a red-hot favourite for the Triumph Hurdle last month but was one Henderson felt he just could not risk. Prior to the meeting, however, he had looked a potential superstar.
Over at Taunton, Operation Manna can get back to winning ways when dropping back down in class for the Taunton Round Table T-Rex Steaks Handicap Hurdle.
The Tom Lacey-trained gelding had completed a hat-trick inside four weeks at the back end of last year before stepping up to Premier Handicap territory in February, but put in a disappointing display at Sandown.
He should be back in contention for the three-mile feature under conditional jockey Cameron Iles, his usual partner.
On the Flat, Path To Dubai will be looking to build on a strong start to his career in the Liz And Izzy’s Hoap Podcast Handicap at Southwell.
A victory on debut was followed by a short-head second to the progressive King Of Spain, who claimed a Doncaster handicap in his next race, suggesting he should be thereabouts for top honours.
On the Polytrack at Chelmsford, Aztec Empire is aiming to bounce back from a poor showing last time out as he makes his seasonal debut in the 6 Horses Challenge At bet365 Handicap.
Trainer Andrew Balding gelded the five-year-old in the off-season after coming home last in a large field at Haydock in September, which dampened a solid summer of placed honours at Newcastle, Newbury and York.
A drop in class and the return of Oisin Murphy in the saddle could be what is needed for Aztec Empire to get back in the winner’s circle.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
TAUNTON: Race 1: 14.33 Helnwein, Race 2: 15.08 Plaisir Des Flos, Race 3: 15.43 Soir De
Gala, Race 4: 16.18 Fire Dancer, Race 5: 16.53 OPERATION MANNA (NAP), Race 6: 17.28
West Orchard, Race 7: 18.03 Jack Out Of Reach, Race 8: 18.35 Tarbuck.
AINTREE: Race 1: 14.45 Grey Dawning, Race 2: 15.20 Sir Gino, Race 3: 15.55 Shishkin, Race
4: 16.30 Langer Dan, Race 5: 17.05 Its On the Line, Race 6: 17.40 Dancing On My Own, Race
7: 18.15 Baby Kate.
SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 14.55 Mutasawi, Race 2: 15.30 Deal Maker, Race 3: 16.05 Mersea,
Race 4: 16.40 Path To Dubai, Race 5: 17.15 How Impressive, Race 6: 17.50 Savvy Brilliance,
Race 7: 18.23 Gulliver.
CHELMSFORD: Race 1: 19.00 Miss Anya, Race 2: 19.30 Suanni, Race 3: 20.00 Southbank,
Race 4: 20.30 Aztec Empire, Race 5: 21.00 So Logical, Race 6: 21.30 Shadowfax.
ALL TO COME: Path To Dubai (Southwell, Race 4) and Operation Manna (Taunton, Race 5).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com