Five horses to follow at Aintree on Thursday

Tipster: Alex Scott.

Best odds: 11-4.

Willie Mullins has won this contest in two of the past three years with horses arriving on Merseyside after being defeated at Cheltenham and history can repeat itself courtesy of the talented filly Selma De Vary.

The Zarak filly was a hugely impressive winner on her final French start before only finding Narciso Has too strong in the Spring Juvenile at the Dublin Racing Festival. She ran on from the rear to finish second despite failing to settle as well as connections would have hoped.

She ran to a similar level last time when finishing fourth in the Triumph, but appears to be learning all the time to this style of racing the other side of the Channel. She settled better and again saw her race out well despite not getting the clearest run at the business end of the race.

A couple of things are likely to be in her favour at Aintree and she can reverse form with two of the horses that finished ahead of her last time.

Firstly, the tongue-tie she wore in France to good effect is back on (the hood is also retained), and secondly, this flatter track with less emphasis on stamina and more jumping to be completed in the final half of the race should enable her to show the best of herself.

She gained more lengths jumping than any other horse in the Triumph and this was despite having to be restrained and held up by Paul Townend. She is currently a best-priced 11-4 which I think underestimates her chances. The ground should be no issue.

Tipster: RaceiQ.

Best odds: 11-4.

Tipster: Ross Millar.

Best odds: 11-4.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 9-2.

Unexpected Party missed the Cheltenham Foxhunters' and clearly has had this race in mind after two comfortable wins in relatively minor events. The switch to Hunter Chases has given this 11-year-old a lease of life that had expired due to his high handicap rating.

He is up against some younger rivals here, but he looks to have retained all his ability and, given he has run very well in well-contested handicaps during his career, he looks a real contender. Heidi Palin has been on board for his two wins this season.

Tipster: Andy Stephens.

Best odds: 2-1.

The New Lion and Brighterdaysahead had to settle for supporting roles behind Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle but should dominate in her absence. 

Preference is for the former, who should be much more at home over this extra half mile. He’s unbeaten in four starts over this sort of trip and it could be he could stretch out over a bit further, too, as the data shows he’s never been stopping when winning over this intermediate distance. 

Brighterdaysahead (Jump Index 8.6) is a terrific jumper and better than The New Lion (7.9) in that department, but it may not be enough for her to repel the Skelton runner.