Follow your Ed to taste victory
EDWARDSTONE (3.00) is as tough as nails and can complete a famous Cheltenham-Aintree double today.
Alan King’s bombproof chaser was winner of the Arkle Trophy where he jumped brilliantly and stormed up the hill.
Edwardstone takes his racing so well that he is fancied to repel Third Time Lucki in the Grade One Poundland Maghull Novices’ Chase.
Another horse bidding for the CheltenhamAintree double is FLOORING PORTER (3.35), who was given a genius ride by Danny Mullins to win the Stayers’ Hurdle.
He was always in total control and today’s JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle looks a weaker Grade One affair.
Thyme Hill (2nd) and Champ (4th) both chased him home at Cheltenham and rate the main dangers.
ELLE EST BELLE (2.25) will arrive fresh for the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle after winning the Sidney Banks in February.
She enjoyed the step up in trip that day and
Dan Skelton’s charge ran well here last year.
Three Stripe Life, who chased home Sir Gerhard at Cheltenham, Nicky Henderson’s promising Walking On Air, Good Risk At All and North Lodge are formidable rivals but, Elle Est Belle gets the 7lb sex allowance that could be the difference.
Double
The Skeltons have a great chance of a double with SHAN BLUE (4.15) in the Betway handicap Chase.
He’s well handicapped on the form of his run in the Charlie Hall Chase in the autumn when he fell at the third last when a mile clear.
Shan Blue picked up a nasty injury and reappeared in the Ryanair Chase where he was no match for Allaho.
Today’s three miles on decent ground is ideal.
BEAUPORT (1.45) is fancied to defy top weight in the EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle.