Grand National Day is here again and with four of the top six in the betting carrying the green and gold hoops of JP McManus there's every chance the leading owner and legendary gambler will land this race again. However, I will stick with my original fancy GRANGECLARE WEST who was undone by a last fence blunder twelve months ago (4.00). The Bobbyjo Chase has provided the winner of this in the past and Grangeclare West looked good that day when beating some of today's rivals including Gerri Colombe. He has just 2lbs more to carry than last year when he looked unlucky not to win and odds of 10/1 seem perfectly reasonable. 

MIGHTY BANDIT (12.45) has been a revelation since switching to chasing this season with his only loss coming first time out in a Grade 2 at Newbury in November at the hands of the classy Mambonumberfive. Since then Warren Greatrex's 6yo has been on a winning stretch of three races at Newbury and twice at Doncaster twice admittedly all in handicap company. The Jim and Claire owned charge looks worth a go in a Grade One against the Irish Novices who look beatable in what doesn't look a strong division. 

BOSSMAN JACK looked like he was about to throw down a big challenge in the Turners' at Cheltenham last time out before an untimely blunder at the last completely stopped his momentum. He had looked progressive prior to that and is a big strong type who should make into a decent chaser in time. But before that he can land the Grade One Mersey Novices' Hurdle (1.55) at Aintree this afternoon for the Skelton team. 

I am going to take on Honesty Policy in the Liverpool Hurdle at 3.05 after making him my nap at the Cheltenham Festival. He didn't really settle in the early part of the race and as a result didn't get home up the hill. He looks a short enough price again and needs to switch off in the early part of the race if they are going to hold him up. At the prices I prefer last year's winner HIDDENVALLEY LAKE who's season is all about this race. He seemed to thrive on the good ground here last year when beating another of today's rivals Strong Leader in convincing fashion. It looks a similar path to last year for Henry De Bromhead's charge - he arrives on Merseyside on the back of a low key poor run in heavy ground in Ireland. I wouldn't be concerned about his lacklustre effort in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan last time and expect we will see his better form again in this race. The fact he has missed out on a tough battle in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham whereas the other main players all ran in that race is another positive.