Johnson’s stable have been in fine form and have a 33% strike rate this month with nine wins from 27 runners. He added: “The horses in general are all right, I’m happy enough with them, it’s just that we haven’t been able to get on the grass yet. The ground has been too firm and the racecourses don’t help us trainers in the north east because they won’t let us work our horses on the tracks.” But the race looks particularly competitive with Tom George entering the classy Nacarat, who was a couple of places ahead of Tidal Bay when third in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase in April and also Tartak, who landed the inaugural running of the Grade Two John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase over the course and distance at the same Grand National meeting. Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has two choices to pick from with Kicks For Free, who won a novice chase at the same meeting 12 months ago, and 2008 Galway Plate winner Oslot. David Pipe has Tamarinbleu, runner-up in the Grade One Betfair Chase at Haydock last season, while the only Irish raider is the Tom Taaffe-trained Finger Onthe Pulse, whose finest hour came when winning the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2008. The declarations for the Old Roan Chase are completed by the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Don’t Push It, who won the John Smith’s Handicap Chase in April, Ferdy Murphy’s Three Mirrors and Paul Webber’s Laskari. Also on Saturday’s seven-race card which starts at 1.05pm is the £18,000 totejackpot Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles and the £30,000 toteswinger Veterans’ Handicap Chase (1.40pm) over three miles and a furlong. Restricted to horses aged 10 and over, the 14 entries include old favourites such as Lacdoudal, Cornish Sett and Simon. The going at Aintree is currently described as good. Aintree’s clerk of the course and director of racing Andrew Tulloch, said: “We will keep an eye on conditions and water again if it is necessary. Our aim is to produce good ground for this weekend. “I am very pleased with the state of the course, it is looking in great shape.” The second day of Aintree’s two-day meeting on Sunday features six races with the highlight, the £20,000 Radio City 96.7 Handicap Chase (3.20pm) over two miles. Sunday is the popular “Matalan Freaky Family Funday”. There will plenty of Halloween spooky attractions including a ‘Thriller’ performance and dance workshop by Britain’s Got Talent dance troupe MD Productions, magic shows, fairground rides and Halloween crafts, while there will also be both a kids and an adults’ fancy dress competition. TODAY’S NAP: Flamsteed (3.30pm Lingfield)
Tickets for Saturday and Sunday can be purchased online at www.aintree.co.uk or by calling 0844 579 3001. Tickets cost £19 with free admission for all accompanied children aged 16 and under.
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