Cheltenham heroes Flooring Porter and Edwardstone head Grand National undercard

Flooring Porter and Edwardstone will be the star names on the rest of Grand National day card with the pair out to complete a rare Cheltenham and Aintree double on Saturday.

The former became the first since the brilliant Big Buck's to land back-to-back Stayers' Hurdle in March, drawing clear after an impressive frontrunning ride from Danny Mullins, and has another chance to emulate the greats as one of ten in the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (3.35).

Aintree Saturday card

Supplementary entries can be made until Wednesday but so far Flooring Porter's opposition is likely to include Champ, with Jonjo O'Neill Jr. already booked, while last year's winner Thyme Hill also features.

Six of the ten in the race are trained in Ireland, including the Gordon Elliott-trained Sire Du Berlais and Noel Meade's Thedevilscoachman, also in the JP McManus silks. Ashdale Bob, Koshari and Roi Mage also feature for Ireland, with Mollys Ollys Wishes and Thomas Darby poised to represent Britain.

Arkle hero Edwardstone will take on a new set of challengers as none of his Cheltenham opposition are entered in the Poundland Maghull Novices' Chase (3.00). He did, however, get the better of the reopposing Third Time Lucki and For Pleasure in the Kingmaker at Warwick in February.

Edwardstone: on course for AintreeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Willie Mullins' improving Gentleman De Mee also features in the line-up, having won two races by an aggregate of 50 lengths in 2022.

In the first of the three Grade 1 prizes on offer, the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (2.25), top prospects Skytastic, Walking On Air and North Lodge are poised to be pitched into the top level.

They face stiff opposition with Supreme runner-up Jonbon entered, although he has the option to run over shorter than this 2m4f trip on Thursday, while another Cheltenham second, Three Stripe Life, could feature.

The six-year-old was three and a half lengths behind Sir Gerhard in the Ballymore, the third time he had been beaten by that rival in Grade 1 company.

Good Risk At All, who narrowly missed the cut in the Coral Cup, is another for Skytastic's trainer Sam Thomas, while last-time-out winners Elle Est Belle, Harbour Lake and Banbridge could also head to Merseyside.

Shan Blue: has never run in a handicapCredit: Edward Whitaker

The £100,000 Betway Handicap Chase (4.15), which precedes the Grand National, could see Shan Blue tested in a handicap for the first time.

A faller when clear by a wide margin in the Charlie Hall at the start of the season, the eight-year-old was a respectable sixth behind Allaho in the Ryanair on his return.

Harry Skelton is already booked to ride and they could face Bristol De Mai, Annsam and Remastered. Kim Muir winner Chambard could also attempt to double up at Aintree.

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