The John Smith’s Handicap Chase worth £70,000 and run over 3 miles 1 furlong will be the race before the Grand National on Saturday. The connections of Maljimar (pictured at Cheltenham Trials last year) are undoubtly disappointed at not getting in the Grand National field but they might well get a ‘consolation’ prize here.

The John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle worth £170,000 and run over 2 miles 4 furlongs should be another cracking race to watch. Al Eile will be trying to win the race for the fourth time. Favourite is sure to be Celestial Halo only just beaten in the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle. The mares Whiteoak and United get a 7lb allowance from the other runners. Whiteoak is a course and distance winner and could run into a place at long odds.