Fan-favourite Kitty’s Light is now guaranteed a spot in Saturday’s Grand National after top-weight Conflated was declared for Friday’s Grade 1 Melling Chase at Aintree on Wednesday morning.
The Gordon Elliott-trained ten-year-old, who will sport first-time cheekpieces at Aintree, finished third in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month and will face six rivals – including his two Prestbury Park conquerors Protektorat and Envoi Allen.
Joining the front three from the Ryanair Chase will be Nicky Henderson's five-time Grade 1 winner Jonbon. The JP McManus-owned challenger will take on last year's winner Pic D'Orhy, who has had this as his target since landing the Ascot Chase in February. Willie Mullins's Easy Game and last season's runner-up Minella Drama complete the field of seven.
Last year's mares' bumper one-two Dysart Enos and Golden Ace will meet for the first time since that clash in the Trustatrader Top Novices' Hurdle. The latter ran out a snug winner of the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month, with the former ruled out of the contest on the morning of the race by trainer Fergal O'Brien.
The unbeaten duo will take on the first two home in this year's Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, with the supremely well-bred Mystical Power bidding to go one spot better this time around, joined by the third-placed horse Firefox, who represents Gordon Elliott.
Chianti Classico will face five rivals in the Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase as he takes the plunge into Grade 1 company for the first time. Kim Bailey's impressive Ultima winner will take on facile Kim Muir scorer Inothewayurthinkin.
Heart Wood will make his first start since winning at the Dublin Racing Festival, with the British-trained trio Broadway Boy, Giovinco and Iroko completing the field of six.
Eight horses have been declared to do battle in the Cavani Sartorial Menswear Sefton Novices' Hurdle, where the Harry Redknapp-owned will be hoping to make amends for his agonising defeat in last month's Albert Bartlett.
He'll face the reopping Dancing City, who finished seven lengths behind in third that day, and Readin Tommy Wrong, who pulled-up when a disappointing 2/1 favourite for the Albert Bartlett.
Last year's Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Handicap Chase features 25 declarations, including defending champion Bill Baxter.
