Punters side with Shishkin to deliver at Aintree again as Grand National meeting gets under way

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Shishkin shortens

The Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase (2.55) is one of the most intriguing races on the opening day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree and support this afternoon has firmly been for Shishkin in the big race.

He has been cut across the board to 7-4 (from 2-1) to win for the first time at this distance (3m1f). The Nicky Henderson-trained runner was formerly a top-class performer at two miles and won on his only visit to Aintree at that distance two years ago. He comes here after finishing second in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

A Plus Tard has been weak in the market, drifting to 3-1 (from 5-2) while Ahoy Senor is back to 11-4 after being 5-2 with some firms this morning.

Paddy Power are among those to note particular support and spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Shishkin wasn’t always a pretty watch in the Ryanair Chase, but he stayed on really well up the famous hill that day and punters seem to think that he’ll be well suited by the extra distance.”

A few bookmakers had been reporting major interest for Banbridge in the opening Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices' Chase (1.45), but he has drifted out to 7-4 having been cut to 6-4 earlier in the day.

He was said to be "super strong" in the market by Betfair's Barry Orr but Stage Star has now reestablished his place at the top of the market.

In the following Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (2.20), Zenta is reportedly very strong with Coral. The Willie Mullins-trained mare brings the best Cheltenham Festival form to the race, having finished third in the Triumph. Sarsons Risk is a notable mover in that race, shortening from 11-1 (from 20-1).

Betfair said the treble featuring Banbridge and Zenta along with the short-priced Constitution Hill was particularly popular on Thursday morning.

Updated at 1.30pm

Going update

Jump racing's biggest names descend on Liverpool on Thursday and Aintree's clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said there should be an "ideal" racing surface for day one of the Grand National meeting, with the going now officially good to soft all over on the Mildmay course.

Good in places was removed from the going description on Thursday morning following a wet start to the week at Aintree. Further scattered showers, around 1-2mm in total, are forecast throughout racing, while it is set to be a breezy day.

It is good to soft, soft in places on the Grand National course which will be used once on Thursday for the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase (4.05). It is the first time the fences have been jumped since December.

Varma said she faced a "challenge" earlier in the week with conditions good to firm in places and a lack of substantial rain in the forecast, but hailed her team for their efforts this week.

Varma said: "We're good to soft on the Mildmay and it's good to soft, soft in places on the Grand National course. It's ideal ground and I'm really pleased with it, everything's fallen into place. It walks like beautiful ground, looks amazing and the team have done a brilliant job."

"It's pretty breezy at the moment but thankfully not too problematic and we might get a few showers through Thursday and Friday."

It promises to be an excellent day with Constitution Hill undoubtedly the star of the show. Last month's brilliant Champion Hurdle winner is stepped up in distance for the William Hill Aintree Hurdle (3.30) but is as short as 1-12 to retain his unbeaten status on the racecourse for Nicky Henderson.

Bravemansgame is a significant non-runner in the Bowl. He was taken out last night following intervention by the Financial Conduct Authority, with the company of former part-owner John Dance placed into special administration.

Updated at 10.30am

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Market movers

2.20
Sarsons Risk 11-1 (from 20-1)

3.30
Constitution Hill 1-10 (from 1-8)

4.05
Dento Des Obeaux 16-1 (from 25-1)

4.40
Before Midnight 14-1 (from 20-1)

5.15
Dysart Enos 7-1 (from 9-1)

Non-runners: day one absentees

2.55
3 Bravemansgame

4.05
22 Sir Jack Yeats

4.40
9 Global Citizen

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