Perhaps, but 7th last year, think 4th at the last fence last year...the stars are aligned for pinstickers, so depends on price close to the off.

Can only think it is due to the Masters

Paul Nicholls has revealed in his Betfair column that both Zarkandar and Big Buck's have suffered minor setbacks this week. Big Buck's not eating Monday or Tuesday but tests came back fine and is now eating again.

Zarkandar had an abcess earlier in the week. He will love the track though I reckon, seems to like anything though - handled Cheltenham as well as he did Kempton.

May have put me off TBH. Certainly glad Paul was up front enough to let the betting public know.

Big Buck's should still do it IMO. Zarkandar should win, but, as with all novice races, there could be something lurking in the wings. Grandouet can not be underestimated whatsoever, I think he could trump him.

Dunno if I'll be backing anything, depends if I can get away from work early, but here are my quick selections for the first day.

1400 Big Buck's
1430 Grandouet
1505 Denman
1540 Fort View e/w
1615 Tchico Polos
1650 Medermit
1725 Bothy e/w

rlSporting Life Nicholls Articlerl

Do horses that have run at Cheltenham tend to bounce at this meeting ?

Cheltenham can take a lot out of some horses, whereas some trainers decide to train a horse specifically for Aintree and bypass Cheltenham.

Some can win at both meetings, but at the same time it isn't surprising to see a good winner at Cheltenham run below par.

Only 3 Cheltenham Festival winners in 2010 won at the Aintree meeting that same year those were

- Big Bucks
- Peddlers Cross
- Albertas Run

In general i'd say yes to your question.. as completly different track, different day and who knows how much has been taken out of a horse geared up in some of the most competitive races in the season.

Sucked in by the favs in the four big races, nothing standing out at big prices so just doubles and four fold I think.

My lucky 15 for today

2:00 - Grand cruds
2:30 Grandouet
4:15 Leo's lucky star
4:50 Medermit

Reckon Grandouet could be a back and lay inrunning bet for a decent profit, the way it going at Cheltenham with Barry sat still then found not alot could do same today.

If any of the fav's are beatable, what's beating them ?

Thing is i carnt see any other horse beating him. I fancied big bucks in the first race, but to be fair its not even worth putting on with them odds.

Baby Run 9/2 in the Fox hunters

Was running a big race again when unseating same again would go close today.

Get Me Out Of Here 10/1 EW and 9/4 place in the last.

Only just made it to Cheltenham after having the wind op which seemed to do it the world of good as he was back to his best, reckon he might start go on and improve like was expected after the 2nd to Menorah, don't think the 5lbs would stop it if the improvement is there got to have a massive place chance at least.

Mon Parrain @ 5/1 for tomorrows Topham Chase was impressive on debut jumped really well, has been schooled over national type fences at home and sits on a nice handicap mark based on its rating it ran to last time.