Booster power.

Byline: By Doug Moscrop

Having lost his crown at Cheltenham, Rooster Booster now has to put the record straight at Liverpool today.

Last year he looked all over the winner when he swept to the front between the last two flights in the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle.

However, Richard Johnson dropped his whip on the run-in and it must have made a difference as he only went down by a head to Sacundai.

While a strongly-run two miles suits him best, this extra half-mile on a tight track is well within his capabilities, and it's worth pointing out that the first two were clear of the remainder.

Intersky Falcon was four lengths adrift of Rooster Booster when they filled the minor placings behind Hardy Eustace in the Champion Hurdle. It was reported he had a breathing problem, but his reappearance here suggests it has been rectified.

If all is well, he could finish a lot closer to Rooster Booster on this very different track, while Rhinestone Cowboy was a good third to Monkerhostin under top weight in the Coral Cup and ought to turn the tables on the winner on these terms.

He could be the main threat to Rooster Booster. Thisthatandtother, sent off favourite for the Arkle Challenge Trophy, only got as far as the second fence after blundering at the very first. He had scarcely put a foot wrong all season and can retrieve losses in the Martell Cognac Maghull Novices' Chase.

Our Armageddon, pulled up in the Arkle after a blunder, turned out again for the Cathcart Challenge Cup 48 hours later.

We saw a different horse as he was allowed to enjoy himself out in front and jumped impeccably.

Overnight rain would enhance his prospects in the Martell Cognac Novices' Handicap Chase and a similar front-running display will make very hard to beat, even under top weight. Another Duke, balloted out of the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, will relish the end-to-end gallop guaranteed for the Martell Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle and he looks sure to run a big race at decent odds.

Newcastle stage a Flat meeting for the first time on National day and Willie Haggas can provide the winner of the cantorsport.co.uk Handicap with Alnaja.

Despite carrying his head high, he got up close home to win a handicap at Haydock on his final appearance last season.

Whereas he is open to improvement, the majority of his rivals are fully exposed, and the best of them could be the mud-loving Archie Babe who is better than his Doncaster run last week suggests.