Disney delighted with Foxhunters' hope Exhibition in schooling session

Guy Disney, who will become the first amputee rider over Aintree’s world-famous Grand National fences when he partners Gallery Exhibition in Thursday’s Randox Health Foxhunters’ Chase, enjoyed a spin on his big-race mount in Lambourn on Friday.

The pair, who teamed up for the first time on a racecourse when third to Wonderful Charm at Musselburgh in February, are between a 10-1 and 20-1 shot for the £45,000 race, whose initial favourite Burning Ambition was not among the six-day forfeits on Friday.

Disney, a former captain in the British Army who had part of his leg amputated when his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in Afghanistan in 2009, said: “I schooled Gallery Exhibition over the National fences in Lambourn and he was spot-on. He popped over them really nicely. He’s gorgeous, and felt awesome out there.”

While this will be Disney’s first experience of the big Aintree fences, Gallery Exhibition finished a highly creditable fifth under David Bass in the Topham Chase two years ago.

“He looks the right type for the race and I'm really looking forward to it,” Disney added.

This year's Topham Chase, backed by Randox Health, was another race to lose its favourite on Friday, when Master Dee was ruled out by connections.

Gary Moore, meanwhile, expects his new recruit Diakali, who finished a close third to The New One in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle four years ago when trained by Willie Mullins, will sidestep the £250,000 Betway-backed showpiece on Thursday and contest a handicap hurdle the following afternoon.

“He’s a very good horse and has been fine since he’s been here,” said Moore. “He’s entered in the Grade 1 but will probably go to Aintree the following day for a handicap.”

Might Bite is 4-7 favourite for the Bowl on Thursday, also sponsored by Betway, after 11 remained in the race following Friday's forfeits, but his Nicky Henderson-trained stablemate Altior is not as likely to turn up at Aintree.

Henderson said on his Unibet blog on Friday: "At this stage Might Bite would be the most definite and I’d be as positive as I can be with him going to Liverpool. He’s in good form and I’m very happy with him.

Nico de Boinville and Might Bite at Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yardCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I’m still sitting on the fence with Altior and thinking we ought to give him the opportunity of making use of the extra two weeks [after Aintree] and go to Sandown for the Celebration Chase. He'll work in the morning and then I should be in a position to have a clearer idea.

"He was given a speculative entry at Punchestown should anything untoward happen over here."

Ryanair Chase winner Balko Des Flos is among the Bowl contenders, but if he does go to Aintree he could instead contest the JLT Melling Chase on the Friday, Ladies Day, which is now sold out.

Eddie O'Leary, spokesman for owner Gigginstown House Stud, said: "We're keeping our options open. The ground will be a factor. If it's testing I'd imagine he'll probably go for the two-and-a-half-miler."

There is the potential for rain on Merseyside this weekend, but from Tuesday onwards the forecast appears largely dry.

Alex Deakin, Met Office forecaster, said: “There are a lot of question marks for this weekend, with the potential for some heavy rain at Aintree on Sunday.

“Showers are forecast for Monday, but from Tuesday onwards the patterns are for largely dry, mild conditions, with temperatures creeping into the low teens.”

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