EmpireofDirt to strike back

tips: Decent ground and step up in distance favour Elliott’s charge

EMPIRE OF DIRT fell short on his big day at the Cheltenham Festival, but a step back up in trip for the Betway Bowl should suit in what is one of the feature events on the opening day of the Grand National Festival at Aintree.

Gordon Elliott’s charge is one of just seven runners in the Grade One feature and, as all but Silviniaco Conti are seeking consolation following defeat in the Cotswolds, it looks a pretty hard contest to read.

However, Empire Of Dirt makes most appeal after turning in a solid, if unspectacular, effort in finishing fourth behind Un De Sceaux in the Ryanair Chase over two miles and five furlongs.

The step back up to three miles and a furlong is in his favour, as is the likely decent ground, so Empire Of Dirt can seize his moment to shine.

THE NEW ONE should thrive for a two-and-a-half-mile test in the Betway Aintree Hurdle.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ runner has plenty of ground to make up with Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D’Air, but over this extra half a mile, The New One will have a little more time to get on terms. DEFI DU SEUIL will not be much of a price for the Doom Bar Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, but it is impossible to pick a hole in his form. TOP NOTCH had to settle for second at Cheltenham, but can gain Grade One compensation in the opening Manifesto Novices’ Chase.

The six-year-old made a bad mistake at the penultimate fence in the JLT and, given he was only beaten a length by Yorkhill, that was probably a pretty costly slip.

PACHA DU POLDER was another to hit the target at Cheltenham and he can again foil On The Fringe, who is seeking a third win in the Randox Health Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase.

PETTICOAT TAILS had to settle for second behind Cap Soleil at Sandown last month, but she can turn that form around back on better ground in the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.

YORKIST has recaptured his best for Dan Skelton this year and is worth a shout in the Betway Red Rum Handicap Chase. PRINCE OF TIME looks good for the opening race at Southwell. SELECTIONS: AINTREE: 1.45 Top Notch, 2.20 Defi Du Seuil, 2.50 EMPIRE OF DIRT (NAP), 3.25 The New One, 4.05 Pacha Du Polder, 4.40 Yorkist, 5.15 Petticoat Tails.

SOUTHWELL: 1.55 Prince Of Time, 2.30 Ventura Knight, 3.00 Lakeski, 3.35 Fern Owl, 4.15 Alexander M, 4.50 Yeeoow, 5.25 Cadeaux Pearl.

DOUBLE: Empire Of Dirt and Defi Du Seuil.