Lalor bidding for redemption in competitive Maghull Novices' Chase

3.00 Aintree
Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) | 2m | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

Trainer Kayley Woollacott is hoping a return to Aintree will help Lalor as he embarks on a retrieval mission after disappointing in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-year-old was well fancied for the Grade 1 after winning a trial in November, but was pulled up by regular jockey Richard Johnson after the ninth fence.

There was no physical explanation for Lalor's performance and Woollacott is confident her stable star can bounce back at Aintree, just as he did last year when winning the Top Novices' Hurdle.

"He seems very well," said the Devon-based trainer. "It was just one of those days at Cheltenham and we've been left scratching our heads because we couldn't find anything physically wrong.

"He won a Grade 1 at Aintree last year after a difficult run at Newbury so hopefully he can turn it around again. He'll be ridden slightly differently to Cheltenham. We'll try to take him wide and give him more room to get into a good rhythm early on.

"He's the best horse we've got and it's great to have him. If everything falls right he's very competitive on his day."

Us And Them bids to go one better

Us And Them has finished second on his last four starts for trainer Joseph O'Brien, twice finishing behind stablemate Le Richebourg, who had been favourite for the Arkle before his late withdrawal.

The six-year-old flew the O'Brien flag in his stablemate's absence, finishing 13 lengths behind comfortable winner Duc Des Genievres, and his trainer believes consistency could prove key at Aintree.

"He's in good form and has been running consistently well in good company all season," said O'Brien. "The race has cut up a bit and we're hoping for another good run."

Aintree could prove the trick for Clondaw

Clondaw Castle is one of five runners in the seven-strong field to have contested the Arkle, he weakened late on to finish fourth.

After being denied a hat-trick at the festival, Clondaw Castle steps into Graded company for just the third time and trainer Tom George believes the track can make all the difference.

"It should suit him really well," said George. "He was the only one who could go with the Arkle winner before getting a bit tired on soft ground going up the hill."

Key stat: Nine of the last ten winners started at 5-1 or shorter

Moore hopeful Knocknanuss can bounce back

Knocknanuss looked an exciting prospect when hacking up by 17 lengths at Newbury in November, but since then things have not been straightforward for the nine-year-old.

After finishing a gallant second to the Guillaume Macaire-trained Master Dino at Plumpton, Knocknanuss suffered a heavy fall at Leopardstown and did not look himself when fifth in the Arkle.

Knocknanuss: free-wheeling type often races from the frontCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He's in a better place now than before he went to Cheltenham," said trainer Gary Moore. "He's an exciting horse, but things haven't gone right since Newbury, when he looked a really good prospect.

"He's yet to really prove himself, a bit like Kalashnikov before his win on Thursday, so hopefully he's able to do the same. He's run in every big race available to him and the standing start didn't suit him at Cheltenham, it was a really messy race."

In-form Skelton bids for Aintree winner

Dan Skelton has been among the winners recently, notably notching two winners at the Cheltenham Festival, including Ch'Tibello, who finished third in Thursday's Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle.

Destrier will line up in the Maghull on a hat-trick, following victories at Ayr and Southwell, and his trainer believes the progressive six-year-old has earned a step up in class.

“We’ve waited for this race and skipped Cheltenham," said Skelton. "He has a bit to find on ratings but we’re happy with him.

"The track will suit and the rain won’t do him any harm. I’m expecting him to run well and he’s earned his shot at a Grade 1."

Caid Du Lin back after narrow defeat

Richard Newland believes blinkers could prove the trick for Caid Du Lin after he was beaten a head last Sunday.

After finishing down the field in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham, the seven-year-old, who has finished in the top two on five starts this season, returned to form at Ascot.

“He’s come out of the race well and we think the blinkers might help him a little bit," said Newland. "There's lots of prize-money and he's only a novice for another four weeks, so we thought we'd have a go."

Ornua out to make amends

Ornua is another Arkle runner bidding to make amends as he has his first start since falling in the speed test for novices.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained eight-year-old led for most of the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown in December before finishing behind Dynamite Dollars, and a return to form would make him competitive.

Spotlight verdict

A chance is taken on the return to Aintree seeing Lalor rediscover peak form. His Grade 2 chasing debut win in November is good form.

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