Horseracing latest: Grand National meeting day 1

The first two days of the Aintree meeting are always overshadowed by the spectre of the Grand National, but despite the great steeplechase taking place on Saturday, punters would be making a mistake were they to ignore the undercard action. The great Kauto Star was downed by stablemate Denman in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month and although the former champ failed to emulate the greats such as Best Mate and Arkle by winning multiple Gold Cups, Paul Nicholls' eight-year-old bids to take today's Totesport Bowl Chase at Aintree. He tackles Exotic Dancer, an admirable foe who he has beaten six times, stablemate Gungadu and Ryanair Chase hero Our Vic, who failed to beat the dethroned champion on Boxing Day in the King George. The fly in the ointment though is Monet's Garden. Nicky Richards' dashing grey who managed to sneak a victory over Kauto Star at the beginning of the season. This time though, Monet's Garden does not have the weight concession he enjoyed when he scored that success, and he was put firmly in his place by Kauto Star when he lost by eight lengths at Ascot earlier this year. Bookies are going 8/11 about Kauto Star, a price which looks fair if you like betting odds-on. Inglis Drever is arguably the drawcard today however, and the admirable stayer made history in winning three consecutive World Hurdles last month at Prestbury Park. It is incredible to think that, given his exploits, bookmakers are brave enough to go odds-against, but that is what punters are getting. If Inglis Drever runs half the race that he did at Cheltenham he will win, but it was a battling performance that day and each-way sharks could do worse than take the 16/1 available about the tough Lough Derg. David Pipe's stayer has put in some incredible performances this season and if that Cheltenham performance took anything out of the hot favourite, Lough Derg can tough it out at a decent price. Verdict: 1pt each-way Lough Derg @ 14/1 (Blue Square) Click here for a free £25 to bet on the Aintree Grand National with Blue Square Blue Square, one of the leading online bookmakers is offering a FREE £25 Bet for Betting Choice users. Simply stake up to £25 and we will match your bet. Blue Square is a leading UK bookmaker offering a huge range of special bets and promotions.