Peddlers Cross won the opener on the card on Grand National Day 2010 and Donald McCain’s stable star can follow up in the Aintree Hurdle. The selection lost nothing in defeat in the Champion Hurdle when only Irish superstar Hurricane Fly was too good and the return to this 2m 4f trip should see him get back to winning ways.

There was certainly no disgrace in losing his unbeaten record to “The Fly” who had long been considered something quite exceptional by Willie Mullins. Whilst Peddlers Cross lacked the pace of the Irish runner he gave his all up the Cheltenham hill and I think the return to this distance will suit. One word of caution he wasn’t quite at his best when winning on this day last year, but he has only had three runs so far this campaign and it will be disappointing for connections if he can’t add another Grade 1 to his CV.

The presence of last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Binocular certainly adds spice to what promises to be a great race for the Aintree Hurdle. I must say I’ve never considered Binocular to be anything other than a speed horse and with Peddlers Cross already holding a verdict over the former Champion this season (Fighting Fifth Newbury) I can see him confirming the form over this trip.

Celestial Halo fell two out behind Khyber Kim last year when holding every chance and it should be noted that the winning time was two seconds faster than that put up by Peddlers Cross earlier in the afternoon. Both Celestial halo and Khyber Kim re oppose in what looks a tremendous renewal of this prestigious event.

Cue Card steps back up to 2m 4f and the scene of his first success over hurdles for the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle and he is likely to meet a couple of Festival runners up in the shape of Spirit Son (Supreme) and Rock On Ruby (Neptune Hurdle). Megastar (made mistakes and never looked at home at Cheltenham) who won the Bumper on this card last year is another to consider in a race which, if all the principles stand their ground, could be one of the races of the meeting.

Finian’s Rainbow looked the winner of the Arkle for much of the race last time and would hold outstanding claims if making the journey north from his Lambourn base. He is already eight-years-old and his jumping was exemplary at Cheltenham although he did run with the choke out for much of the race.

Cheltenian who landed the Cheltenham Bumper may have been fortunate to survive a Stewards’ Inquiry at Kempton when he gave Montbazon a bump at the furlong mark. The latter subsequently scored at Doncaster and the Aintree Bumper was immediately nominated as his target by trainer Alan King. He was receiving 10lbs from Cheltenian at Kempton but that was an excellent effort first time out and I remember King swerving the Festival with Lidar a couple of years ago. That one was backed off the boards at Aintree but, much to my chagrin, finished runner up after meeting trouble in running, finishing three-quarters of a length behind 66/1 winner Sitting Tennant.

I have covered The National itself elsewhere including in the Pinstickers guide but in recent betting news What A Friend was the subject of a minor gamble when connections confirmed he would run in the Big One rather than try and win the Aintree Bowl for a second successive year.

Great Endeavour wasn’t given the best of rides by Timmy Murphy at the Festival and he is likely to be ridden with considerably more restraint in the valuable handicap chase which directly precedes the National. Sunnyhillboy went off favourite for that valuable handicap but only got as far as the 7th before taking a crashing fall. The best handicapped horse in the race is Reve De Sivola but how will his jumping hold up? The first-time cheek-pieces allowed the horse to travel better than he often does and he didn’t have the best of passages at Cheltenham. If Nick Williams can improve his jumping he would be a threat to all.

The Midnight Club is confirmed as the mount of Ruby Walsh and he looks sure to go off market leader although the word from the Willie Mullins’ yard is that the stable is divided as to who is first choice with many looking to see if Arbor Supreme sneaks into the race. Runner up to stablemate The Midnight Club in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse last time, he will be 10lbs better off for a diminishing length with the favourite and he would certainly enter calculations if getting into the race.

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