Sentimental support? Two-time National hero Tiger Roll a market mover at Aintree

Dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll has been a surprise mover in the market for the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree as punters, perhaps sentimentally, gather behind the 12-year-old at big prices.

The Aintree legend has shortened to a general 14-1 (from 22) to play a role for trainer Gordon Elliott, who when speaking to the Racing Post on Friday described this latest challenge as "a big ask."

Tiger Roll nonetheless appeared as enthusiastic and exuberant as ever when featured on ITV4's Opening Show and punters would clearly love nothing more than to see him return to the winner's enclosure at the scene of his most famous triumphs.

At the head of the market, Gold Cup winner Native River is joint-favourite with the Paul Nicholls-trained Simply The Betts, although Protektorat and Imperial Aura have also had their supporters in a competitive contest.

Nicholls could be set for a super Saturday if the morning markets are to be believed with another two of his runners well backed to land Grade 1 honours at Sandown.

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The Nicholls-trained Hitman is the main mover for the Betfair Tingle Creek (2.25) having been backed into 9-1 (from 14) for the two-mile Grade 1 at a sold-out Sandown.

The five-year-old – runner-up in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase on this card a year ago – was second in the Haldon Gold Cup on his reappearance and is closing in on stablemate Greaneteen in the market, although ante-post favourite Chacun Pour Soi has strengthened as the 8-11 favourite since declarations were made on Thursday.

Another Nicholls' runner coming in for support at Sandown is the progressive Il Ridoto (7-2 from 5) in the Henry VIII (1.50). The four-year-old won a handicap at Newbury last weekend but punters are clearly not being put off by the quick turnaround.

The exciting Third Time Lucki bids to maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the same race, but the Dan Skelton-trained six-year-old has eased slightly to 9-4 (from 2).

Snow Leopardess (5-1 from 7) has emerged as the clear favourite ahead of Mac Tottie for the Becher Chase (2.40) after returning for the season with a decisive victory over three miles on soft ground at Bangor last month.

Market movers

Aintree

2.05: Sam Brown 8-1 (from 12)
2.05: Simply The Betts 3-1 (from 5)
2.40: Snow Leopardess 11-2 (from 7)
3.15: Straw Fan Jack 10-1 (from 14)
3.15: Ballyandy 12-1 (from 16)

Sandown

1.50: Il Ridoto 7-2 (from 5)
2.25: Hitman 9-1 (from 14)
3.00: Salty Boy 5-1 (from 6)
3.35: Natural History 12-1 (from 16)
3.35: Elham Valley 7-1 (from 9)

Sandown ground softens after overnight rain

The going at Sandown has eased to good to soft, soft in places (from good to soft, good in places) after 4-5mm of early morning rain.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: "The overall feel is good to soft, and I'll possibly say good to soft, soft in places on both courses. Certainly on the chase course, there are only a couple of softish spots on bits that were raced on yesterday, but that's few and far between on the course as a whole.

"The hurdle course would be on the slow side but nothing desperate. It wasn't enough rain to radically transform anything, and you're never going to please everyone, but in the grand scheme of things it's no bad thing to have a little freshen up.

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"Yesterday, the ground rode a little bit dead and lifeless in places which is what can happen without any moisture. This rain has freshened it up in its own way and might make it a little easier to race over."

Soft ground at Aintree with more rain to come

At Aintree, where the Merseyside track hosts the Unibet-sponsored Many Clouds Chase (2.05) and Becher Chase (2.40), the ground has eased to soft all over (from soft, good to soft in places) after 4.6mm of rain overnight.

Racing gets under way at the early time of 11.15 to accommodate an eight-race card, during which a further 6-8mm could fall on a wet and wintry day.

Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said: "We're expecting blistery showers through the day on and off, possibly wintry at times with a bit of hail. It's certainly going to get wetter. It doesn't often get proper heavy here, but once it's opened up and it keeps on raining you couldn't rule it out."

Non-runners

Aintree

12.55: 7. Palmers Hill, 12. Five Star Getaway 13. Nietzsche
1.30: 6. Lady Pacifico, 10. Tiki Fire

Sandown

1.15: 10. Global Agreement

Saturday's race previews:

1.50 Sandown: 'He's better now' – Dan Skelton issues warning to Third Time Lucki's rivals

2.05 Aintree: 'It's a big ask for him' – Gordon Elliott on Tiger Roll's return to Aintree

2.25 Sandown: Mullins team on 'fantastic' Chacun Pour Soi's Tingle Creek chances

2.40 Aintree: 'He'll take a bit of beating' – connections on key Becher Chase contenders

3.00 Sandown: rapid improver Strictlyadancer bids for four-timer in London National

3.35 Sandown: can Tolworth winner Metier kick off his season with a valuable handicap win?

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