Punting angles and trainer views to help you find the Red Rum Chase winner

4.40 Aintree
Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 2m | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

In-form trainer and in-form horse

David Pipe, fresh from an Ascot double on Sunday with Legal History and Rathlin Rose, sends Eamon An Cnoic into battle.

Fourth in the Plate behind Siruh Du Lac at the Cheltenham Festival last month, the eight-year-old has been well backed for Red Rum glory this week.

Eamon An Cnoic has returned to his best following wind surgery before Christmas, and beat Capeland by three and a half lengths over two miles at Chepstow in February.

The step back to that trip after his Cheltenham effort should not inconvenience the son of Westerner, and his trainer is looking forward to running him.

"Eamon An Cnoic has always threatened to win a big race," said Pipe. "We’re going back down in trip so any more rain will be appreciated. He should run well."

David Pipe is hopeful of a good showing from Eamon Du CnoicCredit: Grossick Racing (racingpost.com/photos)

Peak-form Movie Legend on workable mark

Another to have benefited from a wind operation is Movie Legend, winner of both his races at Wetherby and Doncaster since undergoing the procedure in January.

The Lucy Wadham-trained chaser idles in front, and it’s possible to argue that an 8lb rise for those two comfortable wins underrates him.

Best on a flat, left-handed track, Movie Legend, whose principal attribute is his fast, fluent jumping, looks the ideal type for this race, and Wadham agrees.

She said: "He’s in great form. It’s hard to win three handicaps in succession, but he hasn’t been murdered by the handicapper.

"He’ll love the course and it’s the right race for him. We’ve missed a few easier opportunities over the last fortnight or so to wait for this."

Classy Lady Buttons tailor-made for this

Lady Buttons reverts to fences, and steps down in class, after her Cheltenham fourth to Roksana in the Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle.

Arguably a better performer over fences – the handicapper has her on 149 as opposed to 142 for hurdles – Phil Kirby’s stable star has won four of her five chases, including a 2m½f handicap at Newbury in December.

Although that race rather fell apart, it was impossible not to be impressed with the manner in which Lady Buttons cruised through that race and settled matters with a sharp turn of foot.

She jumped beautifully on that occasion and already boasts experience of the Mildmay track at Aintree, having finished fourth to Diego Du Charmil in the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase last April. A bold run looks assured.

Key Fact

Forest Bihan finished a close second in Grade 1 company on his only previous visit to Aintree, a race which featured subsequent Tingle Creek and Melling Chase winner Politologue.

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Diego Du Charmil and Brelan D’As
Diego Du Charmil is really fresh for this race. He loves to go left-handed. Brelan D’As ran very well at Cheltenham. I think this race should suit him, and he has a really nice chance.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Theinval and Whatswrongwithyou
Theinval deserves to get his head in front in this race, and we'll probably go on to Ayr with him like we did last year. I was worried the ground wouldn't be soft enough for Whatswrongwithyou but it's good to soft and that should be fine.

Sue Smith, trainer of Cracking Find
He’s been a great horse for us this season – he’s so consistent. It’s a step up in class, but he’s a game little fellow. He's very well and fingers crossed will run a big race.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Molineaux
This is his championship for the season. He’s got plenty of pace, so this step down in trip looks the way to go. He has a nice low weight.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Azzuri
We've just tinkered with his palate. We tried him over two and a half miles last time but Harry [Skelton] says this is his trip. He's got a nice, low weight and a bit of a chance, but the rain is annoying.

Spotlight verdict

Theinval has a wonderful record in these races during the spring months and this sterling performer has another major effort in him after finishing second in the race for the last two years. Diego Du Charmil was very much at home over this C&D as a novice last April though and there should be more to come from him as a handicapper after tackling some unenviable tasks since. The return to 2m can suit Eamon An Cnoic after his stamina just gave out over 2m4f at Cheltenham, while others to hold their heads high at the Festival include Brelan D'As and Forest Bihan. Adrrastos and Movie Legend can also be seen to good effect of those at bigger prices.

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