MAX FACTOR

Ben Morgan is keeping faith in Am Maximus for repeat National glorya

WILLIAM HILL HANDICAP HURDLE (3M)

There weren’t many eye-catchers in the Pertemps Final to suggest anything should be gaining compensation here. I was pretty sweet on the British contingent of Harbour Lake, Supreme Gift and Zain Nights but none of them covered themselves in glory. I could see them running better here but I think they proved that none of them are that well handicapped.

Jericho Du Reponet got outstayed by stablemate Doddiethegreat at Cheltenham and providing either don’t get too harshly penalised by the handicapper I can see both featuring again here. The Pertemps winner is certainly unexposed over this longer trip and judging by the way he won he looks to have improved for it. Although with that being said, it is very hard to do the Cheltenham/ Aintree handicap double.

I wouldn't mind seeing Della Casa Lunga have a go at this as I think she lurks on a decent mark and stays very well. Her Kempton victory earlier on in the season is certainly no fluke and she looks like she might be being saved for something like this.

WEST BALBOA is another mare who looks to have been saved for this race as she bids to regain her crown after narrowly losing out last year. She faced an impossible task last year trying to concede so much weight to stablemate Gwennie May Boy who has since gone on to become a graded performer. This season has gone very much like last season did, some very questionable runs and a handicap mark descending back to almost below her winning mark 2 years ago. At the time of writing she is due to line up at Kempton over 2m 5f with Heidi Palin on board in the same race she used as a prep two years ago. I am guessing she will be a fast finisher who arrives late on your TV to grab a distant 4th in that race which will tee her up nicely for this. If this race has been the plan you will see Harry Skelton jocked up so keep your eyes peeled on early jockey bookings.