BALDER SUCCESS, successful twice over fences in Grade 2 company, can make the leap to the top grade on Grand National day at Aintree.

The Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase is the target for Alan King's progressive gelding, who has taken to fences this season so well that he is fast climbing the ladder,

His latest successes came at Warwick and Kempton where he should a sure-footed assurance and a degree of class. King has already had an Aintree winner this week. Balder Success can be another.

At Fishers Cross is fancied to lift the Silver Cross Stayers' Hurdle after his good effort to finish third in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. Tony McCoy takes the mount on the JP McManus-owned gelding, who has experienced a patchy campaign, but who remains a horse of vast ability.

Keith Reveley has a useful and up-and-coming horse on his hands in Victor Hewgo, who makes plenty of appeal in the Betfred TV Handicap Chase.

Winner of two of his four races over fences this season, Victor Hewgo has only been beaten by Western Warhorse and Holywell, two high-calibre horses. He does not look at all badly handicapped.

John Quinn's Scots Gaelic is fancied to win the Maxilead Metals Handicap Hurdle for conditional jockeys and amateur riders, a race he won 12 months ago with Cockney Sparrow. Dean Pratt, rider of Cockney Sparrow, takes the mount on Scots Gaelic instead of stablemate Kashmir Peak.

Quinn can also make his mark at Newcastle on the Flat with Forced Family Fun, who, fit from hurdling, can lift the Vertem Management Handicap under Ian Brennan.

David O'Meara has good prospects of winning the two maiden races with Vivere (1.40) and Highland Acclaim (2.15), while the Mick Easterby-trained Aetna (2.45), who promises to be a sprinter to follow this season, makes her reappearance under Graham Gibbons.


Selections

Aintree today

1.30 Kilcooley, 2.05 Balder Success, 2.50 At Fishers Cross, 3.25 Victor Hewgo (NAP), 4.15 Balthazar King, 5.10 Scots Gaelic, 5.45 Modus.

Newcastle today

1.40 Vivere, 2.15 Highland Acclaim, 2.45 Estreaming, 3.55 Forced Family Fun, 5.00 Uplifted, 5.35 Hayek, 6.05 Trixie Malone.

Today’s other meetings: Chepstow, Lingfield, Wolverhampton.

Tomorrow’s meetings: Ffos Las, Market Rasen.