Straight From The Trainers Mouth Day 1 Aintree

Anquetta He’s going to get his ground in the Red Rum Handicap so I’d expect him to show his best form for a while. Ground is very important to him.” Nicky Henderson

Captain Conan “Has come out of Cheltenham well. It was a good performance to be beaten under five lengths in the Jewson at Cheltenham and the Manifesto over two and a half might work well for him. He performed very well at Aintree over hurdles on good ground a year ago.” NH

Ericht “I think he’ll stay three miles in the Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle because he will get the better ground, which is vital to him.” NH

Grandouet “He’ll definitely run in the Aintree Hurdle and will be a very serious player. He was most unfortunate to fall in the Champion but that meant he didn’t have a hard race and the nicer ground at Aintree is going to suit him.”NH

Kid Cassidy “Ran exceptionally well to finish second to Alderwood at Cheltenham, should be fine over two miles in the Red Rum and decent ground isn’t against him. But one thing that might stop him running is if it looked as though he’d end up with top weight.” NH

Open Hearted He’s a horse going the right way and I was more than happy with his last run at Kempton when he won easily on sticky ground. Much better on good and goes for the Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle over three miles, which will suit him around Aintree.” NH

Oscar Whiskey  “He’ll run in the Aintree Hurdle, which he’s won for the last two years, but he was disappointing at Cheltenham. He worked very well last Saturday and that’s a good thing because he’s a horse that tells us how he is. He is good on decent ground at Aintree but there is just a little bit of guess-work this time.” NH

Vasco Du Ronceray  “Ran well to finish fifth in the Triumph and goes for the Anniversary 4yo Hurdle, I was pleased with him. Better ground will suit him very well.” NH

Easter Day “He’s going for the Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle and I think the three miles on good ground will help him because he’s been staying on well over shorter distances." PN

Fago "Might well run in the Maghull Novices Chase over two miles on Saturday but I don’t think you’ll see the best of this horse until he’s had a summer at grass. That said he has done well for a break and better ground will suit him. He missed Cheltenham for this and Overturn might give him a nice lead." PN

Gwanako "He goes for the Fox Hunters’ Chase but it’s a concern that although he won the Topham here as a five-year-old he hasn’t jumped round on three further starts over the National fences. However, he’s in very good form right now."

Irish Saint "Had a hard race when he won at Kempton in February and it was always the plan to miss Cheltenham and come to Aintree. This will be the best ground he’s run on and he did win on very heavy ground at Kempton when he won there in December and also in France. Fresh, well and in top form." PN

Rebel De Maquis  “Had quite a few little problems but he’ll take his chance in the Fox Hunters’ Chase. Likes good ground so conditions will be right." PN

Silviniaco Conti "Falling in the Gold Cup wasn’t ideal but he’s shown no ill-effects and he was travelling well at the time so at least didn’t get involved in having a hard race. It’s quite possible he could have won or been second. He likes Aintree and he will like nice ground in the Betfred Bowl but you are always nervous of horses that have been prepared to run at Cheltenham then come to Liverpool. That said, he seems in good order and I expect him to run very, very well." PN

Toubab "Is very likely to run in the Red Rum Handicap Chase because the better ground is very much in his favour." PN

Wilton Milan “Is improving but needs to in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, which will be his last run before switching to fences. He’s better for a breathing operation." PN

Astracad “He’ll definitely take his chance in the Red Rum Handicap Chase. He hasn’t run since mid-December when he was a little disappointing on heavy ground which doesn’t suit him and he’ll be happier with the conditions on Thursday. Can hit a flat spot in his races so he’ll be wearing blinkers this time which should help.” NTD

Changing Times “Ran a career-best to finishing third over two miles five in the Jewson at Cheltenham but it’s possible he could miss the two and a half mile novice chase and go for the three mile one Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Friday. He stayed on really well at Cheltenham and round this track three might be more suitable. Decent ground is fine” NTD

Double Ross “He’s more likely to go for the three-mile Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle on Thursday off the back of a very good effort to finish third in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. I just feel that on better ground the longer trip is going to play to his strengths.” NTD

The New One “He was very good winning the Neptune at Cheltenham and is as good a novice as I’ve had – and there have been some! Two and a half miles is his ideal trip so we are going for the Aintree Hurdle when he’ll take on top-class and more experienced horses. He’s still improving and as for the ground being faster than he’s had so far this season, he looked alright on decent ground when he won the Aintree bumper a year ago when he beat My Tent Or Yours. As for him running at Cheltenham, all I would say is that he only came off the bridle between the last two flights. He’s just ticked over since.” NTD

Cloudy Lane  “It will be the old lad’s last run when he goes for the Fox Hunters’ Chase. He’s been great to me and hopefully everything will go well. I’m sure he’ll run his race because he likes Aintree and we swerved Cheltenham specifically for this race. He’s come right and in very good nick on ground he likes.” DM

Hollow Tree “He’s a possible for the three-mile Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle on Friday but he’ll only go if we think he has a realistic chance. The trip on better ground should be fine.” DM