Arguably the opening day of the three day Festival see the best racing of the week.

Opening with the extended 3m John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle quite a few of the World Hurdle runners from the Festival re-appear.

Probably not having the strength in depth as the Cheltenham renewal there are some interesting conundrums nonetheless.  Most interesting for me is the stepping up in trip of David Pipe’s Osana. He has always looked as though the extended trip will suit, providing the going is not too testing and it looks as though the ground will be in his favour. The big negative is his disappointing run last time out in the Champion Hurdle. However he was with the pace early on and the race may not have been run to suit him. With more careful riding it may be a different story in this race.

Lough Derg holds several entries at the festival and this is one of them. Wherever he does turn up you can be certain he will again put in a maximum effort and being a flatter track he will put up a much better show at Aintree than he did at Cheltenham.

The World Hurdle winner Big Bucks is set to run in this contest and it was not a weak renewal of the contest that he won at Cheltenham. The three week gap between Cheltenham and Aintree will not inconvenience him, he has won twice in three weeks before. Providing the going is Good or softer than he will most likely be able to complete the Cheltenham / Aintree double.

Blazing Bailey is no longer the horse he was based on his performances this season and he is likely to go chasing next season.

Mighty Man could be the interesting contender. A very creditable fifth in the World Hurdle following an almost two-year lay-off following injury, the run at Cheltenham should have set him up nicely for this race at a track he clearly loves. His record her is three runs, three wins.

The second contest is the Matalan 4YO Novices Hurdle and it is a difficult race to become dogmatic about. Cases can be made for most of the field.  

Recent Czech import Apartman made a few late mistakes on debut at Newcastle when coming second, well ahead of the remainder of the field. He has plenty of scope for improvement and could be the fly in the ointment in this contest.   

Dinarius put two poor runs behind him to take second last time out at Stratford and still has scope for improvement.

First Avenue won last time out at Plumpton but is one that looks to have a mind of its own and whether he can put two good runs together is debatable.

Hebridean from the Paul Nichols stable must be one for the shortlist. A runner that seems to prefer good going and a flatter track, he will have both here and being from the Nicholls yard would be one to dismiss at your peril.

The same could also be said of Starluck, who was found out by the hill and a three month absence, when coming home fourth in the Triumph hurdle. The flatter track at Aintree will be more up his street.

Torphichen was basically outclassed in the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham. It is difficult to assess where his standard really is. I’m not saying he cannot win this race but others make more appeal.

Triumph Hurdle runner-up Walkon has only ever been beaten by Zaynar over hurdles and there does not appear to be anything of that quality in the race today and Alan King’s charge should make amends for a brave Cheltenham defeat.

For me the totesport Bowl looks as though it will be the race of the Festival. Top billing goes to Denman. His health problems have been well documented and his poor return performance at Kempton has been discussed ad-nauseum.  However his performance as runner-up in the Gold Cup has given the impression he is very much returning to form . His run has clearly impressed connections as, instead of giving him the rest of the season off as originally planned, he runs here. It will be interesting to see how he does run in this contest. If anything near his best he should win this.

However this is anything but a one horse race. Also in the field is Exotic Dancer, a champion quality horse who has just been unlucky to be around the same time as Denman and Kauto Star. If there is any bounce back with Denman he will be poised to take advantage.

Imperial Commander, winner of the Ryanair, is also in the line-up. A good quality horse the one question mark is the track, he certainly seems to save his better performances for Cheltenham and I am not sure if the flatter track at Aintree will be ideal.

One that does prefer a flatter track is Madison Du Berlais, Denman’s vanquisher at Kempton back in February. This contest will be a different kettle of fish though –on less testing ground, left-handed and with Denman seemingly getting back to his old self I see the positions being reversed this time. Madison has had his moment of glory. Even if Denman is not fully fit there are others in the field who have his beating.

Monet’s Garden has not been his usual self this season, his only victory coming in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon and, arguably, that was a lucky win. At his best he could win this, however he now seems to be past his best and can be safely ignored.

Our Vic won this contest last year but has been pulled up on his two outings this season and there is little to recommend him here.

Likewise Mister McGoldrick is another who has seen better days.

Snoopy Loopy has been the long time leader of the Order Of Merit, only recently being overtaken by Master Minded. He has been a revelation this season and has been a credit to connections. However he has had a long season and although it would be foolish to completely write off his chances, there are others who make a bigger appeal.

The Listener is one of those quirky horses who promises a great deal but too often comes up short. Another who makes little appeal in this contest.

Racing Post Trophy winner Nacarat is another lively contender, although he would very much need some cut in the ground. If the forecasters are proven wrong and there is rain before the meeting, he must be on the shortlist. However if the word Good appears anywhere in the going report he is best ignored.

Notre Pere was once touted in places as being a potential Gold Cup horse. In the end he by-passed Cheltenham. He is another who prefers some cut in the ground and connections will only run him if the ground is right. He won the Welsh National in December and it is clear he likes a test of stamina. He should not be dismissed if he does run and looks a potential each-way bet if the price is good enough.

Air Force One is a capable horse but this race is too high a quality for him and it would need a massive improvement for him to be involved here, the same can be said of Albertas Run.