Aintree tips for Friday: best bets at 20-1 and 16-1

Best odds: 2-1.

Ben Pauling decided to bypass Cheltenham with Handstands and can reap the rewards for that decision here. 

All of his rivals, bar the outsider, raced at Cheltenham, so the fact Handstands has been kept fresh for this Grade One contest is a positive, and he's also the one to beat on official ratings.

Pauling's improving six-year-old showcased a brilliant attitude when defeating Arkle winner Jango Baie in the Virgin Bet Scilly Isles Novices' Chase in February and that looks the strongest piece of form on offer over fences here considering Jango Baie, in hindsight, was racing over his optimum trip there based on his finishing effort in the Arkle, and his performance at Aintree on Thursday.

Stepping up in trip is also a plus for Handstands and, bar one blip at Wincanton in November, his jumping has been an asset this season (as showcased by the RaceiQ data).

The return to quicker ground should not be a hinderance and I expect him to take all the beating in the opener. 

Best odds: 20-1 (each-way).

It is fair to say Favour And Fortune has proved a shade disappointing so far this season, but everything looks in his favour here, and he has the ability to go close if back to his best. 

Alan King's talented hurdler won a strong renewal of the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle last year after finishing sixth in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle. He also chased home Jango Baie in the William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle at this venue last season and has always been held in the highest regard by King.

The seven-year-old suffered a setback ahead of this season and was in need of the outing at Ascot on his return before running as well as could be expected on ground softer than ideal in the William Hill Hurdle.

It is also worth forgiving his effort at Kelso last time out where he didn't appear to handle the track plus he quickly became outpaced. 

King has always stressed that Favour And Fortune needs better ground to show his best (the going was faster than described when he scored at Ayr last season), so has conditions to suit on Friday, and stepping up in trip looks a wise move now as he's shaped on occasions as though an extra half mile will suit plus there is some stamina in his pedigree.

He's now only a pound above his last winning mark, and appeals as a decent each-way bet at the 20-1 on offer (with Bet365, who are paying six places), especially as this step up in trip could also unlock further improvement.

Best odds: 16-1 (each-way).

Moon Chime looked a smart prospect when winning his first two starts in bumpers in 2023 before finishing third in a Listed contest at Cheltenham, and although he won two of his next four outings over hurdles afterwards (a lucky winner on one of those occasions), he did not progress quite as expected. 

It was no surprise connections opted to give him a wind op ahead of this year and that didn't appear to have worked when he produced another below-par effort on his return, where he also raced awkwardly under pressure. 

However, the return to a left-handed flat track saw him produce a career best when last seen, and maybe the wind op finally worked. He certainly looked a much-improved performer at Stratford and readily pulled clear of Balhambar, who has produced some decent efforts in strong handicaps this season plus had the run of the race. 

It was a performance that signalled Moon Chime is about to begin fulfilling his potential and the manner of that victory suggests an 11lb rise will not stop him from being competitive, despite the rise in grade here. 

The past three runners from the David Killahena & Graeme McPherson yard have all won, and the pair operated at a 46 per cent strike-rate in March with six winners from 13 runners. 

This contest was quickly pinpointed as the target for Moon Chime after his Stratford victory, and this test should suit him perfectly. Tommie O'Brien takes a handy 3lb off and at 16-1, this seven-year-old is worth chancing each-way.