Call It Magic heavily backed for Topham • Aintree going improves

The ground at Aintree has dried slightly before the second day of the Randox Health Grand National meeting, with all three courses described as soft, good to soft in places (from soft).

There was plenty of rain around during racing at the track on Thursday, but it was dry overnight and clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said at Friday lunchtime: "I have just walked the course with the stewards and the course inspectors and it is looking in great nick.

"It took yesterday's rain really well, so we are changing the going description to soft, good to soft in places [from soft] on all three courses."

Tulloch added: "The forecast says we are set for a fine day today – breezy and dry – and that looks set to continue tomorrow. It will again be breezy and cool tomorrow but dry.

"With this drying wind I think the ground will dry out a little by tomorrow. It has taken the recent rain well."

Market movers

In the Randox Health Topham Chase (4.05), the money has come for the Ross O'Sullivan-trained Call It Magic. Fourth in the Becher Chase here in December, he is now the 9-2 favourite (from 7-1) for the second race of the week over the National fences.

Nicky Henderson had a mixed first day with Pentland Hills successful but Buveur D'Air defeated in the Aintree Hurdle. He hands Precious Cargo, unbeaten in two starts over hurdles, an opportunity in Grade 1 company and he has been supported into 7-2 (from 5) in the Top Novices' Hurdle (2.20) to dispute favouritism with Aramon.

Topofthegame remains solid at the head of the market for the Mildmay Novices' Chase (2.50), with the RSA Chase winner a general 4-5 shot to record back-to-back Grade 1 victories.

His stablemate McFabulous has been talked up by Paul Nicholls and has seen supported in the Grade 2 bumper (5.15), which concludes the card. He is the 2-1 favourite (from 11-4).

Other movers

1.45 Tedham 3-1 (from 9-2), Canardier 15-2 (from 10), Admiral Barratry 16-1 (from 25)
4.05 Janika 13-2 (from 10)
4.40 Trevelyn's Corn 12-1 (from 16)
5.15 Ebony Jewel 8-1 (from 10)

Saturday declarations

While the fields were announced yesterday for the Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle and the Randox Health Grand National – the cut-off point for reserves is 1pm on Friday afternoon – the shape of the remainder of Saturday's card has been revealed in the final declarations.

Angels Breath has been highly touted all season but disappointed in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He bids to get his career back on track in the Grade 1 Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (2.20) against eight rivals, including Brewin'upastorm, Kateson, One For Rosie and The Big Bite.

Arkle runner-up Us And Them heads seven runners in the Grade 1 Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase (2.50), in which he will renew rivalry with Clondaw Castle, Lalor, Ornua and Knocknanuss.

Gambled-on Pertemps winner Sire Du Berlais heads the weights in a field of 22 for the Gaskells Handicap Hurdle (1.45), while the Ben Pauling-trained Kildisart occupies the same position against 17 rivals in the Betway Handicap Chase (3.40).

The Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle (6.20), which concludes the Grand National meeting, has also attracted 22 declarations.

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