Ground update and the latest news on day one of the Grand National meeting

Aintree seems to have taken an age to arrive this year with a day shy of three weeks since the end of the Cheltenham Festival.

Pentland Hills has bragging rights as the Triumph Hurdle winner on show as others, notably Champion Hurdle fallen idol Buveur D'Air, are bidding for redemption from Cheltenham.

Taunton gives its West Country supporters a good card that has attracted runners from the top stables, including Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson.

Southwell completes a two-day meeting on the Fibresand but without its new floodlights before Chelmsford switches them on for an evening meeting that extends the action until 8.30pm.

Going report

Aintree (first race at 1.45)
Good to Soft, Soft in places on the National course at the Canal turn. Good to Soft on the Mildmay and Hurdle courses (GoingStick National course 5.5, Chase 5.8, Hurdle 5.7)
(Rail movements; 1.45, 2.20 & 5.15 +70yds, 2.50 +95yds, 3.25 +90yds, 4.40 +58yds)

Southwell (AW) (1.55)
Standard

Taunton (2.05)
Good, Good to Soft in places (Watered) (GoingStick 6.1)
(Rail movements: 2.05, 2.40, 3.50 & 5.35 +12yds, 3.10 +30yds, 4.25 +102yds, 5.00 +150yds)

Chelmsford (AW) (6.00)
Standard

What to back

Want first-day Aintree advice? Check out the Postcast which sees the debut of our new Betting Editor Keith Melrose, who comes out firing with his first tips.

Dave Orton is in front of the camera with his three quickfire selections for today.

What to read

David Jennings sets the scene for the action at Aintree today.

All the races are previewed with big questions addressed and quotes from all the leading connections. Check out the Betway Bowl for one.

What to watch

Get in the mood for Aintree with two trainers talking about their hopefuls at Liverpool over the next three days.

First up Nicky Henderson, still searching for a first Grand National winner but with Buveur D'Air on a recovery mission after his Cheltenham fall . . .

His former assistant Ben Pauling runs through his intended runners. . .

The best of Racing Post Sport

The Premier League Darts roadshow heads to Belfast for the latest round and Steve Davies has the top tips.

Ian Wilkerson has a 50-1 bet for the Texas Open that headlines this week's golf tournaments.

Adrian Humphreys has his tennis tips for the WTA tour.

Final thought

Bookmakers clearly feel Buveur D'Air would have gone close in the Champion Hurdle where he was an 11-4 chance as he is odds-on favourite today, but he faces his earlier Kempton conqueror Verdana Blue, who was fifth behind the Champion placed horses Melon and Silver Streak at Cheltenham.

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app