Grand National Meeting at Aintree Day One Preview

The Thursday card at Aintree's Grand National kicks off tomorrow with seven stellar-looking contests up for grabs and punters will be treated to the presence of a living-legend right from the beginning with hurdling sensation Big Buck's set to challenge seven contenders in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle. The going continues to be listed as good to soft with many observers expecting the conditions to hold throughout the entirety of Thursday's action.

Big Buck's faces a stiff challenge from Tidal Bay and Smad Place – the latter of whom came in third behind Big Buck's in the World Hurdle. His sole victory this season came over ground listed as good to soft and he looks an interesting outside shot for his Aintree debut. Lightly-raced with just a solitary run each month this year, expect him to improve and offer up a stiffer challenge than last time.

It's going to be a tough task for any horse to dispose of Big Buck's at anywhere over three miles and his ability to stay on well even when it doesn't look like he's been running his best race truly sets him apart from the field.

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Countrywide Flame should get some support in the 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle while the likes of Eagle Rock have just finally found form and should be available at a quality price. Both Sadler's Risk and Grumeti will be expecting improvements in this race.

There's a lot to like about the Betfred Bowl Chase, also a Grade 1 event, and we've got Riverside Theatre set to go off as the outright favourite with Hunt Ball and Burton Port also expected to take some serious money. This one is interesting, more so being run at even weights, and there's going to be two short-priced favourites and several solid value plays on offer.

The Foxhunter's Chase is next up and Gwanako comes in with plenty of form amongst a few others who have also found the line recently. Emergency Cover has turned a corner while the well-monikered Fresh Air And Fun is 1/1 this season.

The Red Rum Handicap Chase is going to be a very good betting race with a number of talented runners able to run at relatively low weights against the top-weight Tanks For That. Kumbeshwar will take money, especially in the place market, while Edgardo Sol could improve next time out.

Cristal Bonus gets a chance to redeem himself in the Manifesto Novices' Chase – a mere five contenders line up for this one. Menorah and Al Ferof being the other two notables here.

The Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle runs as the final race on the card and this is really anybody's guest. Son of Flicka will take some money as will Gullinbursti. Our Father was a beaten favourite last time out and could get back to his best here.