Weekend racing preview – Superstar Altior returns in thrilling Tingle Creek

There is plenty of brilliant action across the weekend with the Grand National fences in use at Aintree and two Grade One events at Sandown.

We have previewed the pick of the action with selections from Betting Expert’s Stephen Harris and analysis.

Altior is targeting a 22nd victory in 25 runs and an eighth Grade One success. Victorious in the 2018 Tingle Creek, Altior has not been seen since winning a third Game Spirit Chase at Newbury in February. He sustained a small injury when gearing up for the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

He is clearly the horse to beat on form and with ground conditions not too testing, he looks capable of winning this race for the second time according to Stephen Harris. His chief rival looks to be Greaneteen who was impressive on his reappearance for Paul Nicholls in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. Stable companion Politlogue goes well fresh, is a course and distance winner and is also the reigning Champion Chase hero following his win at Cheltenham in March.

The six runners are completed by Irish raider Castlegrace Paddy, recent Cheltenham scorer Rouge Vif and Brewin’upastorm who needs to return to form following a sixth-placed effort om his comeback run.

Altior was a former winner of the other Grade One contest at the track on Saturday, the Grade One Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at 1.50pm. Allmankind was a devastating winner at Warwick on his chase debut and looks sure to be suited by this track and trip.

Ga Law is unbeaten in three starts this term and landed the Grade Two Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Wincanton, whilst Hitman won easily at Ffos Las for Paul Nicholls last time out.

Eldorado Allen, Phoenix Way and Tamaroc Du Mathan complete the six runners and the trio are also unbeaten over fences.

Over at Aintree, there is some fantastic action at the Merseyside track. 2018 Gold Cup hero Native River returns to action in the £50,000 G2 Many Clouds Chase (2.40pm). Successful in this race 12 months ago, he has not been seen since scoring at Newbury in February due to an injury. His four rivals are headed by Frodon who returned to action with a fine success at Cheltenham in handicap company last time out and Santini who finished second in the Gold Cup, but may not be sorted by this track.

Walk In The Mill bids to make history in the £120,000 Becher Chase as the first horse to win three runnings of the famous chase. His rivals include Kimberlite Candy who chased him home in second last year and recent Cheltenham 1-2 Ramses De Teillee and Yala Enki.

Native River was chased home by Might Bite in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup and the latter has his first start over the Grand National fences in the £64,000 Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at 3.15pm.

It promises to be a fantastic weekend of action with Altior of course the highlight.

Weekend NAP: 2:25: Sandown: Altior

Weekend Next Best: 1:50: Allamnkind

Tips and analysis via Betting Expert