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Paul Nicholls: Sans Bruit one of my best chances of the week

"SANS BRUIT (16:40 Aintree) is going for a hat-trick in the race and he just loves Aintree and this time of the year. I saw him out this morning with the sun on his back, he looks fresh and well. He hates the middle of winter when it's wet and raining and cold, that just seems to be him, some horses seem to like this time of the year.

"He seems very well, he's only 3lb higher than when winning last year and originally before the weights went up he had 10st 1lb, which for a small horse would have suited him quite well, but with the weights going up a stone it's let a few in at the bottom.

"It's probably not the most competitive race that it has been but he's still got it all to do, but he's probably one of our best chances of the meeting, and by the time the race comes around at 16:40 the ground might have dried a little bit also, and that will suit him."

Read Paul's column in full at betting.betfair.com

Katie Midwinter: Alexei fancied to build on excellent Champion Hurdle run

"ALEXEI (16:05 Aintree) was in the process of running a brilliant race when making a mistake at the final flight in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. He was on par with Brighterdaysahead and The New Lion at the time before losing momentum, likely to have posed a serious threat for the minor honours behind dominant winner Lossiemouth.

"Finishing eventually fourth at Prestbury Park, it was a hugely creditable effort at odds of 22/1, and he remains open to showing further improvement having risen from the handicap sphere to proving his mettle at the top table.

"Trained by Joe Tizzard, Alexei is a horse on an upward trajectory and makes appeal at double-figure odds in this field. He was in contention with the two main market leaders in this race when last seen, and with a cleaner jump may have finished ahead of them that day.

"Whilst he'll need to prove his stamina over this extra distance, Alexei has stayed on well enough over two miles at Cheltenham in softer conditions to suggest a step up is worth trying and he's an improver holding each-way claims."

Read Katie's column in full at betting.betfair.com 

Sam Turner: A bit of Study can payoff in the curtain raiser

"There is a case for suggesting MINELLA STUDY (13:45 Aintree) travelled as least as well as shock Triumph Hurdle winner Apolon De Charnie at Cheltenham last month and I wonder if connections were left to rue the decision to bypass a prep run and head straight to the festival following his impressive win December win at the Cotswold venue.

"The Study Of Man gelding eased to the front between the second last and final hurdle under Ryan Mania, but had a target on his back from that point and was unable to resist the late challenge of the surprise 50/1 winner.

"That performance still represented a new career high for Minella Study and this switch to a flat, more speed-favouring track could produce further improvement from a horse that boasts a high cruising speed and appears yet to reach his ceiling over hurdles.

"Given more higher-profile connections, Maestro Conti is likely to be shorter in the market, but Minella Study would arguably have beaten his old rival fair and square at Cheltenham but for being crossed late on by the winner and, although Selma De Vary met some trouble in running, she was ultimately fairly well held in fourth.

"All of which means Minella Study could be a touch of value to win his first Grade 1 if sent off third favourite."

Read Sam's column in full at betting.betfair.com