Aintree Placepot picks: Keith Melrose tackles a tricky Old Roan card

The Old Roan card should draw a chunky pool for a Sunday. In the opening 3m handicap hurdle (1.50), The Grand Visir deserves plenty of respect off a mark of 125, especially at a track like this with a long straight. Bootlegger should also strip fitter for his return.

The following veterans' race (2.25) is pretty competitive and two will be needed. Black Op is consistent and this represents a significant drop in grade, while the likeable Minellacelebration is back down to the mark from which he ran them ragged in this race last year.

The theme of likeable defending champions extends into the Old Roan Chase (3.00), in which Nuts Well looks a sound Placepot type along with Huntsman Son.

The maiden hurdle (3.35) that follows is as good a chance as any for a banker. Gelino Bello is unlikely to be a fancy price, but was the best of these in bumpers and a useful prospect over hurdles.

The 2m4f handicap hurdle (4.10) could be a race worth watching. Only The Bold looks to have been let into handicaps fairly lightly, while Boreham Bill could be underestimated given that since his shock Lanzarote win he has run in only the Coral Cup.

A novice handicap chase (4.45) to finish makes things tough. We have chase form to go on with Corach Rambler, he took to it and that can count at Aintree. Morning Spirit is as likely as any of the debutants and stayed well over hurdles.

Aintree Placepot perm

1.50
2 Bootlegger
4 The Grand Visir

2.25
2 Black Op
3 Minellacelebration

3.00
2 Nuts Well
7 Huntsman Son

3.35
4 Gelino Bello

4.10
1 Boreham Bill
6 Only The Bold

4.45
5 Morning Spirit
7 Corach Rambler

2x2x2x1x2x2=32 lines

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