Walk In The Mill aims to make history in Becher Chase at Aintree

With Liverpool moving into Tier Two in the latest Coronavirus restrictions, 2,000 racegoers will be allowed to attend the meeting with the Grand National obstacles in use for the first time in a year. The first race is at 11.45pm with the finale at 3.15pm. We have previewed the action with stats and analysis.

The £120,000 William Hill Becher Chase (1.30pm) is the highlight over the famous spruce fences. Staged over an extensive three miles and one furlong live on ITV4, Walk In The Mill bids to make history as the first horse to win three renewals of the contest. He was particularly impressive in last year’s contest, getting the better of subsequent Classic Chase winner Kimberlite Candy and looks well-treated to complete a fantastic hat-trick.

Other horses to note are Ramses De Teillee who saw off top-weight Yala Enki at Cheltenham last time out and the pair face-off once again here. Minellacelebration is unbeaten in his last two starts and looks to have really benefitted from wind surgery. Testing ground would be a slight concern, but he remains of interest along with Le Breuil. He boasts stamina-laden qualities and testing ground would really suit.

Former Cheltenham Gold Cup second Might Bite is the headline act in the £64,000 Grand Sefton Chase (3.15pm) which is also over the Grand National fences. He shaped with plenty of promise when fifth on his reappearance at Ascot and is one to note. Huntsman Son returned to action with a fine success in Listed company at Wetherby and given his sound jumping, he loosk of interest.

Lord Du Mesnil has stamina to burn and stays much further than this trip. He returned to action with a respectable fourth over hurdles at Kelso and if able to get into a jumping rhythm, he is another to note, along with Modus who tasted victory on the Mildmay course recently on his reappearance for Paul Nicholls.

The other feature race on the card is a fantastic renewal of the £50,000 G2 William Hill Many Clouds Chase (2.40pm). 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Native River returns after a 301-day layoff following an injury. He landed the 2019 running of this event and looks well-placed to go well.

His rivals are headed by Santini who finished second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time out. He may not be suited by this track, but he brings high-class form to the table. Frodon runs for Paul Nicholls and returned to action with a stunning victory at Cheltenham in handicap company last time out. Keeper Hill and Lake View Lad complete the fine runners.

Aintree Saturday Selections

11.45pm – Mackenberg

12.20pm – Quoi De Neuf

12.55pm – Mint Condition

1.30pm – Walk In The Mill

2.05pm – Megan

2.40pm – Native River

3.15pm – Huntsman Son

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert