Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

His fortunes over fences have been mixed but he made good headway in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month prior to falling two out; finest hour came when winning Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle here (2m, good to soft) in April 2023; could have a big say if avoiding mishap.

Won Grade 3 at Killarney (2m4f, yielding) last May for Willie Mullins and he's on a handy mark on that form; however, below par in the winter on final two starts for that yard and soundly beaten in handicaps on both outings for this stable; usual hood is left off; needs to get back on track.

Pulled up in Ascot handicap in November and tailed off on sole outing since in the Champion Chase last month; it's hard to say what sort of form he's in but this C&D brought out the very best in him when runner-up in the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase (good) 12 months ago; could go well back here.

Ascot specialist who runs at Aintree for the first time; following wind surgery he ran okay when 13l eighth of 20 in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham (2m, good) last month, and he's another 4lb lower today; however, this 11yo is without a win since 2023 and needs to find something extra now in cheekpieces.

5yo; trained in France but campaigned in Britain since start of 2025; impressed in a warm novice chase at Chepstow (2m, soft) in January and 25l tenth in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) was better than the bare facts, as he pulled hard and was held up in a race that favoured those who were up with the pace; could settle better now back down in trip; interesting.