Five horses to follow at Aintree on Friday

Tipster: Harry Allwood.

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 his step up in trip could also unlock further improvement.

Tipster: Danny Archer.

Best odds: 100-30.

Impressive when powering clear at Kempton and is clearly a horse who will relish the quick conditions. Missed the Supreme and comes here fresher than main market rival Romeo Coolio. Flatter tracks clearly suit and he has a lot going for him.

Tipster: Page Fuller.

Best odds: 4-7.

In the Melling Chase, I think Jonbon remains the horse to beat despite letting favourite backers down at Cheltenham. 

In the Champion Chase he threw his chance away from costly jumping errors - notably one that cost him 9mph at a crucial stage in the race. He never found any sort of jumping rhythm and forfeited lengths to his rivals over nine of the 13 fences. His Jump Index of 6.4 out of 10 is also one of the lowest we've ever seen from him and fully reflects that we simply didn't see the best of Jonbon that day. 

The early stages of the race and the pace at which the leaders set off proved crucial. Having missed the break from a standing start, he approached the second fence at a rapid 34.8 mph, which is over 1mph quicker than he had previously approached any fence at Cheltenham. As trainer Nicky Henderson said after, Jonbon was on his head right from the start. 

He won’t have the same problem in the Melling Chase, run over half a mile further than the Champion Chase. He also gets on very well at Aintree, having achieved both of his best Jump Index scores at this track. I strongly fancy that we’ll see the real Jonbon again here. 

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 66-1 (each-way).

Escaria Ten is a massive price, but I felt that he ran a very respectable race in the same Cross Country at Cheltenham despite also not getting home. He was 1lb out of the handicap there but can run off his true mark in this.

The 11-year-old also has experience from his 2022 run, where he went so wide all the way round it was no wonder this doubtful stayer didn’t get home. He is 19lbs lower than that run for this and he definitely went with enthusiasm for a good while last time. 

He is equipped with a first-time visor instead of cheekpieces now, and the hope is that the new headgear -  along with the shorter trip - might make him a bit stronger in the finish.

Tipster: Andy Stephens.

Best odds: 40-1.