Burton Port to Contest Betfred Bowl

The latest word from Aintree is confirming AP McCoy's presence aboard Burton Port in the newly-monikered Betfred Bowl on Thursday. Fourth place in the Gold Cup, many had expected Burton Port to contest the National but connections withdrew late last week and have opted to place Burton Port in this 3m1f Grade 1 contest.

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE BET WITH BET365!

McCoy last took the mount two years ago in the RSA Chase, finishing second to Weapon's Amnesty by a seven length margin. Barry Geraghty took the irons after that for the next four contests running 1224 and proving a bit of a disappointment in what was a winnable Cheltenham Gold Cup during a festival where Geraghty was lighting up the toteboard.

Burton Port looks well-placed for this one and it's a relatively weak-looking group 1 race. Not many out-and-out winners are in the mix for this one and many are there-or-thereabouts types who have been knocking on the door for a bit and are looking to break through.

Burton Port can be backed as high as 9/2.

Hunt Ball looks a proper challenger and seeks his fifth win on the bounce. A popular fancy at Cheltenham during the Pulteney Novices Chase (a listed contest), he was bet down to 13/2 and delivered as a favourite against a field of 20.

It has been a busy season for Hunt Ball and this will be his sixth effort of the year. He has won his last four by nearly 25 lengths combined and will be looking to kick and on improve against graded company for the first time.

Medermit is in the mix for this one as well but hasn't scored since November. He came in third in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and will be taking some money for this one – he trades at a competitive 5/1.

Riverside Theatre lines up for this contest and is likely to go off as the favourite with a 7/2 price tag available on the Ryanair Chase winner. Look for Barry Geraghty and Nicky Henderson to have this one in very good nick, looking to round off what has been an excellent season.