'Andytown is in very good form and trip should suit'.

4.55 Aintree Totepool Handicap Hurdle 3m 1 / 2 f, Listed RUK Card page 57 Key stat No winner has carred more than 10st 13lb in the last ten years Nicky Henderson, trainer of Andytown and Aigle D'Or "Andytown is in very good form. He came out of Cheltenham really well and you can't help but think that three miles is going to suit him round here when he gets two miles five at Cheltenham. With Aigle D'Or, we got slightly stymied at Cheltenham over the Coral Cup and he couldn't go because of a niggly problem.

We are trying him over three miles. He is going chasing next year but I would like to see if he gets the trip, which I suspect he might." Lucinda Russell, trainer of Mirage Dore "He ran a blinder at Cheltenham and, though he's gone up a few pounds, he's still progressing."

Venetia Williams, trainer of Chief Yeoman and Kayf Aramis "Kayf Aramis has really found his feet in the last couple of months. More is required again here, but he's taking his races well.

Chief Yeoman was disappointing at Cheltenham, but he was in good form beforehand and three miles around Aintree should suit him better." Philip Hobbs, trainer of Liberate "He must have good ground, so I hope they haven't overwatered. He is in very good form and this is the beginning of a summer campaign that we hope will once again take in Royal Ascot." David Pipe, trainer of Gaspara, Mamlook, Piraya and Star Of Angels "Gaspara ran well in the mares' race at Cheltenham and we are hoping she'll appreciate stepping back up in trip.

Mamlook is stepping up in trip too, and he'll love the ground. We thought Piraya wanted to go up in distance after Cheltenham, so that's what we are doing, and Star Of Angels is yet another who is up in distance. He ran a good race at Cheltenham." Jamie Poulton, trainer of Sweetheart "She ran well behind Kasbah Bliss when Hills Of Aran wouldn't let us settle in front.

We took a chance at Cheltenham because she needs three miles and she's off a decent handicap mark." Seamus Mullins, trainer of Kawagino "The race conditions suit. He's been enjoying the spring weather and put in a very good run at Cheltenham. He runs off a nice weight." Victor Dartnall, trainer of Giles Cross "He looks weighted plenty high enough, but when you look what Kayf Aramis, whom he beat at Chepstow, has done you could say then he's not on a bad mark.

He's won a point on good ground and stays forever." Paul Nicholls, trainer of Inchidaly Rock See his column, page 10 Paul Webber, trainer of Time For Rupert "He got slammed into the rails twice last time and couldn't get back into the race after that. We thought he'd go well then, and he should like the step up in trip." Andy Turnell, trainer of Captain Americo "He seems to be a different horse on this better ground. He was also in the novices', but he looks to have a better chance here and he's sneaked in very nicely at the bottom of the handicap.

We live in hope." Nicky Richards, trainer of Gunner Jack " He ran a lovely race last time and is in good form at home. He's at the right end of the handicap, too, and I just hope the ground isn't too fast." Reporting by Andrew ScuttsThe Cheltenham factor Andytown and Kayf Aramis have to defy the stat that no Cheltenham winner has gone on to win this race in the last ten years. Five winners, including the last two, missed the festival, while the other five were all beaten in various handicaps at the festival

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Venetia Williams: chances with Kayf Aramis and Chief Yeoman