CON TO DEFLATE RIVALS

CONFLATED has the ability to crush the hopes of two past winners of today’s Betway Bowl Chase by taking the Aintree prize.

Both Clan Des Obeaux, winner of last year’s contest, and Kemboy, successful in the 2019 race, have disappointed this season.

By contrast, CONFLATED (2.55, nap, ITV) has stepped up to the plate.

He was travelling well before falling two fences from home in the Ryanair Chase won by the exceptional Allaho at Cheltenham last month.

Trained by Gordon Elliott, above, the gelding had posted an all-time best when beating last season’s Gold Cup winner and this year’s second Minella Indo at Leopardstown in February.

Protektorat, successful over this course and distance in December and third behind A Plus Tard in the Gold Cup, will be the obvious danger.

Without Honeysuckle in the Betway Aintree Hurdle, EPATANTE (3.30, nb, ITV) appears to have a simple task. Nicky Henderson’s mare has finished in the frame behind Honeysuckle three times, including when second in the Champion Hurdle last month.

The eight-year-old has yet to win over today’s two-and-half-mile trip, but her superior class and 7lb mares’ allowance will see her win the day.

PIED PIPER (2.20, ITV) has the ability to justify his short price in the Jewson Anniversary Hurdle and kick start a double for Elliott.

The four-year-old was far from disgraced when third behind the highly rated Vauban in last month’s Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

After failing to stay in last month’s Cheltenham Hunters’ Chase COUSIN PASCAL (4.05, treble, ITV) can put that performance behind him and make it a second successive victory in the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase.

The weights favour SKY PIRATE (4.40, ITV) to get his revenge on market leader Before Midnight in the Red Rum Chase.