Marsh Chase favourite Fakir D'Oudairies shortens at head of market

Your one-stop shop for Grand National festival news on Friday morning

Going update and switch to ITV4

The ground on the Mildmay chase and hurdle courses has been changed to good to soft, good in places (from good to soft). The going on the National course remains good to soft.

Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said: "We've changed the going on the hurdle and chase courses as it's drying out a bit due to the sun and the breeze. The National course is still good to soft as it's got that bit more moisture in it."

ITV Racing's coverage has been switched to ITV4 following the death of The Duke of Edinburgh and will be broadcast from 2pm.

Posted at 12.45

Paul Kealy's Friday banker at Aintree

Non-runners: Six out on day two

2.50 Silver Hallmark
4.05 Outlander, Tiquer
4.40 The Cob, Alaphilippe, Cape Gentleman

Updated at 1pm

3.25 Aintree: fit and fresh Politologue 'raring to go' after Cheltenham disappointment

Market movers: Favourite shortens

Fakir D'Oudairies has shortened into 5-2 (from 3-1) at the head of the market for the Grade 1 Marsh Chase (3.25) for Joseph O'Brien.

The six-year-old was last seen chasing home Allaho in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and takes on Politologue, who landed this race in 2018 for in-form trainer Paul Nicholls.

"We’re hoping for a good run. The trip will suit him well and he ran well at Aintree as a juvenile hurdler," O'Brien said on Thursday.

Paddy Power market movers

2.20 Houx Gris 8-1 (from 10)
3.25 Fakir D'Oudairies 5-2 (from 3-1)
4.05 Huntsman Son 11-1 (from 12)
4.40 Cape Gentleman 5-1 (from 11-2)

Posted at 11.30am

Top stories: Politologue back for more

Politologue bids to go one better in the Grade 1 Marsh Chase (3.25) following the disappointment of his late withdrawal at Cheltenham.

The ten-year-old, who was unable to defend his Champion Chase crown last month after being withdrawn at the eleventh hour, was second in this race last year behind the Willie Mullins-trained Min.

"He had a tiny trickle of blood out of his nose at Cheltenham but there was never any more. You just put it down to fate and it sums my Cheltenham up. He's not missed a beat since and three extra weeks will not have done him any harm," said trainer Paul Nicholls.

Nicholls enjoyed a remarkable start to the festival with a treble on the opening day courtesy of Monmiral and Clan Des Obeaux, who cantered 26 lengths clear of Clondaw Castle in the Betway Bowl.

Posted at 8am

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