Not a bad start for the blog on Thursday, with one winner tipped up and three places, including a 40/1 shot in the last.

Friday is another day though and on paper appears a tougher prospect for bettors. Any trend regarding Cheltenham winners coming up short at Aintree were put to rest as Big Bucks, Walkon and Oh Crick all obliged on Day 1. American Trilogy looks to follow up his victory at Cheltenham in the Coral Cup in the Top Novices Hurdle (2.00pm).

It was a mixed day for the Nicholls/Walsh team on Day 1 and although American Trilogy has a course and distance win to his name it’s the Howard Johnson trained Red Moloney that catches the eye. He finished sixth in the Supreme Novice at Cheltenham, an eminently better standard than the aforementioned Coral Cup. He loves a flat track and could go well here at a decent price.

In the Mildmay Novices Chase (2.35pm) we’ve got a decent price runner for you in the shape of Or Jaune. The Gary Moore trained 7yo comes here off the back of three wins and goes well on the ground. Ruby Walsh will ride favourite Herecomesthetruth for Paul Nicholls here and has a similar profile, but at a lot shorter price than our pick who is definitely worth an each-way shout.

In the Melling Chase (3.10pm) Voy Por Ustedes looks to follow up his win here in the same race last year, coming off the back of losing out in the Ryanair to Imperial Commander at the festival. Direct Route, Native Upmanship and Moscow Flyer all managed to win this race twice on the spin in recent years and Voy Por will be looking to follow suit at a short price. I like the look of Nacarat but I’m disappointed he didn’t take the totesport Bowl route on Thursday, instead bypassing for this shorter trip.

The 3.45pm Topham Chase is a really difficult one to pick a winner from. The trends point to horses ridden prominently and those who ran in the Festival Plate a month earlier. Ping Pong Sivola fits those two trends after being caught and beat by Something Wells after a courageous front running display. He’s likely to go off favourite but doesn’t have any form over the national fences. Last years winner Gwanako and Becher Chase Mr Pointment have won over the fences before but the favourite has plenty of weight advantage.

Finally, the Sefton Novices Chase (4.20pm) will see Weapons Amnesty and Pride of Dulcote do battle again after their epic battle up the hill at Cheltenham in the Albert Bartlett. It’s the JP McManus owned Karabak that looks likely to go off favourite though having course experience and a fine second to his name in the Ballymore Properties at Cheltenham and could go close again here.

Aintree Festival selections – Day 2

2.00pm – Red Moloney

2.35pm – Or Jaune

3.10pm – Voy Por Ustedes

3.45pm – Ping Pong Sivola

4.20pm – Karabak

Check out totesport for all prices for the Aintree Festival.