ROOSTER Booster, brilliant winner of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, can follow-up at Aintree tomorrow.

Philip Hobbs' much-improved gelding steps up to two and a half miles in the £150,000 Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle.

Rooster Booster made hacks of his rivals at Cheltenham, still pulling double when taking the lead before the final flight and drawing a long way clear on the run-in.

Provided that race has not left its mark, and there is no reason why it should have done, Rooster Booster should score again.

Altay gets my vote in the Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle. Richard Fahey's versatile six-year-old has won two of his last three races over hurdles and was particularly impressive at Wetherby last month. He is fancied to cope with this step up in class.

Impek, who ran a fine race at the Cheltenham Festival to chase home Azertiyoup in the Arkle Chase, is likely to find compensation in the Martell Maghull Novices' Chase.

Tom O'Ryan's tips for the rest of Aintree's card on Saturday:

1.45 - Altay

2.20 - Impek

2.55 - Rooster Booster

4.35 - Lord Atterbury

5.10 - Vodka Bleu

Updated: 12:26 Friday, April 04, 2003