Burton Port: will be partnered by Tony McCoy in Betfred Bowl at Aintree
PICTURE: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)McCoy rides Burton Port as 11 go for Betfred Bowl
CHAMPION jockey Tony McCoy will ride Burton Port in the Grade 1 Betfred Bowl at Aintree on Thursday, with Barry Geraghty sticking with Ryanair Chase winner Riverside Theatre.
Both Nicky Henderson-trained runners were among the 11 declared for the 3m1f contest, in which they will be joined by stablemate Master Of The Hall.
Last month's Ryanair winner Riverside Theatre has beenmade the favourite withall bar Bet Victor who have Burton Port first in at 3-1 with Riverside Theatre at 100-30.
Coral, along with Paddy Power, are the shortest about Riverside Theatre, making him an 11-4 shot, and spokesman David Stevens said: "The Betfred Bowl has the makings of an absolute classic, with the Ryanair first and third and the Gold Cup fourth among those taking on a horse whose rise through the ranks this year has been nothing short of extraordinary, and a win for Hunt Ball on Thursday would mark him out as a genuine contender for next year's Gold Cup."
Last year's winner Nacarat is back to defend his title, while Medermit will tackle the furthest trip of his career after Alan King gave the grey the go-ahead to run.
Hunt Ball, who has improved 85lb this season, will look to step up again when he carries owner Anthony Knott's colours in agraded race for the first time.
In the Grade 1 BGC Liverpool Hurdle the mighty Big Buck's is set to be opposed by seven runners, two of which, Tidal Bay andPoungach, come from his own stable.
Smad Place, who finished third behind Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, is the only runner from Cheltenham to reoppose the Paul Nicholls-trained star.
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