Trainer Tom George out to prove he's the one to watch at Aintree

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Connections will be spending plenty of time looking up at the sky before the race takes place with underfoot conditions likely to play a key role.

The going changed to soft, good to soft in places on the chase course after 23mm of rain fell on Aintree on Thursday and a further 6-7mm could fall during Saturday. If it does, the mudlarks in this field are likely to be even more to the fore.

George one to watch at Aintree

Tom George is always a trainer to note at Aintree with the likes of Black Op, The Worlds End, God’s Own and Nacarat landing major prizes at the course, as well as Saint Are running placed in two Grand Nationals.

The trainer, who has a £1 level-stake profit of £6 over the last five seasons at Aintree, runs Baby King, a previous course winner.

Right for the day?

The Last Day makes his seasonal reappearance in this race but has a good record when appearing off breaks in the past. He has won after being off the course for 50 days, 228 days and 62 days. It has been 237 days since his last run.

What they say

James Ewart, trainer of Charmant
He’s well and we’re hoping he’s more than capable of putting in a good show. He likes testing ground best so it’s a case of seeing if the ground is testing enough for him.

Evan Williams, trainer of The Last Day
We’re keen to get a run into him and he likes this sort of ground. He started to get the hang of things over fences last season but this is a tough enough race to come back in, especially with it being a handicap. We’ll give it a crack and see how he gets on.

Noel George, son and assistant to Tom George, trainer of Baby King
He’s in good form. He won a nice race on his final start last season and has also won at Aintree before, so we know he likes the track. He seems in good order at home and is ready for this.

Alan O’Keeffe, assistant to Jennie Candlish, trainer of Theflyingportrait
He’s had a good season and was second in the same race last season. He ran well at Wetherby last time when he was giving a lot of weight away. We’re expecting a good run if the rain stays away.

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