Updated 8.50, 9.57 - all selections online

IDEM couldn’t possibly be a confident bet in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle (1.20 Aintree) given he has his own thoughts about the game; his effort will very much depend on what type of mood he is in, but if on a going day, he looks overpriced for the Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore team.

The son of Rail Link is a talented sort however and does come here on the back of a big run in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival behind the plotted up Supremely West, who he reopposes on 9lb better terms for a 7¼ lengths beating. Stop the tape going to the last in that race and Idem was only a couple of lengths behind the winner jumping the last before not getting up the hill.

A return to a flat track at Aintree will help along with a slightly more patient ride, but more importantly, mentally, he looked in a good head space last time out, was straight-forward in his run and moved sweetly through the contest under Patrick Wadge, his regular rider, who again takes the mount today.

Off a mark of 128 you could argue that he is high enough in the handicap on previous form, he certainly doesn’t strike you as well-handicapped, but his moody outlook isn’t conducive to progress. That said, he comes here on the back of running in a key form race for this contest from Cheltenham and looks overpriced.

Furthermore, the yard wasn’t exactly firing in parts earlier in the season, but seem to have their string in better form currently. Hopefully this all allows the selection to put his best forward over a course and distance he ran well over earlier in the season, despite having a mid-race strop.

In the Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (1.55 Aintree) I’m hoping the fact that MONTEMARES comes here fresher than market leaders Bossman Jack and Ballyfad can get him home.

The five-year-old has made steady progress throughout the season, his only defeat coming in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury back in December. Although beaten nearly 8 lengths on the day, he shaped better than the distance beaten, steadily weakening from the last home, having been a touch keen in a race that turned pretty tactical.

However, next time out getting more pace to run at, albeit down in class, he was a dominant winner of the Grade 2 Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso, getting to the front incredibly easily before the last and then going on to win by 6½ lengths. At the line, he still looked a fresh horse too, pricking his ears late.

In parts at Kelso, the son of Frontiersman did race a touch behind the bridle. That won’t be ideal on a slick track like Aintree, but I hope that’s just more a case of him saving plenty for himself, hopefully meaning there could be more to come.

No doubt he needs to improve again to win this, but the freshness angle may well be a big positive in a race that shapes like setting up to suit him well. The likes of Kosac D'oudairies, Masked Man, Charisma Cat and Ballyfad will all hopefully push forward early, allowing Stan Sheppard to settle his mount.

Finally, in the Grade 1 Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle (3.05 Aintree) STRONG LEADER can hopefully reclaim his crown in what looks like a trappy enough contest.

Flat, left-handed tracks have long brought out the best in Olly Murphy’s nine-year-old in a career that has had its jumping and breathing issues, but the reapplication of cheekpieces this season have seemingly helped on the former issue while a recent wind-op and a first-time tongue-tie can hopefully help on the latter problem.

A return to spring ground should also help with any wind issues the son of Passing Glance has had, albeit the track did water last night (5mm) and had some overnight rain (2mm). Trainer Olly Murphy has had his team in good order all season and are currently going great guns, operating at a 30% strike-rate.

The selection did finish ahead current favourite Honesty Policy in the Long Walk back in December, only by a neck, but yet is nearly three times the price. Of course, it’s fair to say Honesty Policy is a younger horse open to more improvement, but he was a significant drifter ahead of the Stayers’ Hurdle and now sports a first-time tongue-tie himself, possibly suggesting he has his own issues.

Again however, let’s hope freshness is a big factor as Strong Leader is the only horse in the contest to have not run at Cheltenham.