MISSION IS READY TO LEAP INTO THE LIMELIGHT

Paul Ferguson looks at stars who stayed fresh to jump straight into the top action at Aintree

- Paul Ferguson

CHELTENHAM has been and gone, but we still have plenty to look forward to before the National Hunt season comes to an end, The three-day Grand National meeting at Aintree is the obvious standout highlight this month.

Whilst Cheltenham form will, no doubt, have a big say in many of the races – and there is a four-week gap between the fixtures again this year – horses have been kept back for the trip to Liverpool and these warrant plenty of consideration.

Here are half-a-dozen such horses to note.

CALDWELL POTTER

Paul Nicholls

Mersey Novices’ Hurdle 

Purchased for a whopping 740,000 Euros at the Caldwell Construction Dispersal Sale, this Grade 1-winning grey has been given plenty of time to acclimatise to his new surroundings in Somerset and as a result, was taken out of the Supreme and Baring Bingham shortly after joining the champion trainer. Twice a winner on heavy ground, he won the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown when last seen over Christmas and on a likely sounder surface, the son of Martaline – who is a full-brother to the ill-fated and top-class Mighty Potter – is sure to appreciate a longer trip. With that in mind, the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, over 2m4f, on Grand National day appeals as an obvious end-of-season objective, before he embarks on an eagerly-awaited novice chase campaign in the autumn.

ETALON

Dan Skelton

Red Rum Handicap Chase/Maghull Novices’ Chase