VAUTOUR is tremendously difficult to oppose as he goes in search of another major prize in the form of the JLT Melling Chase at Aintree.

Brilliant at his best, the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old looked all set for a shot at Gold Cup glory at last month's Cheltenham Festival, despite apparently having stamina limitations exposed when narrowly denied by Cue Card in a humdinger of a King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Connections were adamant more patient tactics would help him get home over the longer trip and ebullient owner Rich Ricci went as far as saying his scintillating chaser would either contest the blue riband or stay at home.

However, there was a bombshell at the start of Festival week as after some reportedly poor showings on the Closutton gallops, the controversial decision was made to switch to the shorter and less demanding Ryanair Chase.

After being sent off an even-money favourite as the bad vibes continued, Vautour appeared right back to his best, travelling with his trademark zest, jumping with frightening accuracy and displaying thrilling acceleration from the home turn to leave his inferior rivals trailing in his wake.

Even Mullins himself admitted his surprise at the ease of his victory in the immediate aftermath, pointing to the drying ground as the key factor in his improvement.

Vautour has not had a demanding campaign, with his Prestbury Park romp only his third start of the season, so he should be fresh enough to do himself justice on his first appearance on Merseyside.

Two and and a half miles on a flat track should suit ideally and it would be a major surprise if he does not secure another Grade One success in his own inimitable style.

The Imagine Cruising First In The Frame Top Novices' Hurdle might also go the way of the all-conquering Mullins camp, with exciting filly Limini fancied to show the boys the way home.

The five-year-old made a big impression in winning her first two starts and went to Cheltenham as one of the Irish bankers of the meeting in the inaugural Trull House Stud Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

She did not let her supporters down, moving through the contest with the ease you would expect of a talented Flat performer and quickening up from the last to seal a runaway success.

Mullins mentioned Royal Ascot and even the Melbourne Cup when considering future targets, but with Supreme hero Altior a significant absentee, she can first land another nice prize over timber to further boost her trainer's hopes of being crowned British champion for the first time.

Un Temps Pour Tout can also supplement Festival glory in the Betfred Mildmay Novices' Chase.

Last summer's French Champion Hurdle hero endured a slightly disappointing start to his career over fences, but that meant he had a handy mark for his Festival assignment in handicap company.

He made the most of the opportunity, winning comfortably under a jubilant Tom Scudamore and his revised mark of 159 gives him every chance of being competitive on his return to Grade One level.

The Weatherbys Private Bank Champion Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race brings day two of the National meeting to a close and Champion Bumper third Bacardys is expected to go well on a track that should suit.

Village Vic, meanwhile, is an intriguing runner of the Grand National fences in the Crabbie's Topham Chase.

Asuncion can gain his second Newcastle win in the space of three weeks in the Lycetts Handicap Chase.

Leicester's Flat meeting has cut up badly, presumably due to the prevailing heavy ground.

However, the Loddington Conditions Stakes is an interesting heat, with C Note getting the nod over three opponents.

The 106-rated Lil's Joy set the standard, but Martyn Meade's C Note finished third in a very strong Newmarket maiden last autumn and the booking of Ryan Moore suggests connections mean business.

Miracle Garden should win at Dunstall Park for the third time in the Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Handicap.

SELECTIONS:

AINTREE: 1.40 Ma Du Fou, 2.15 LIMINI (NAP), 2.50 Un Temps Pour Tout, 3.25 Vautour, 4.05 Village Vic, 4.40 Bellshill, 5.15 Bacardys.

LEICESTER: 1.55 Sweet Dragon Fly, 2.30 Bahamian Sunshine, 3.05 Vivre Pour Vivre, 3.40 C Note, 4.15 Sterling Silva, 4.50 Stoneboat Bill, 5.25 Popeswood.

NEWCASTLE: 2.05 Lamool, 2.40 Asuncion, 3.15 Turtle Cask, 3.50 Final Fling, 4.25 King Of The Wolds, 5.00 Nuts Well, 5.35 The Orange Rogue, 6.05 When In Roam.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.50 Multi Quest, 6.20 Hab Reeh, 6.50 Miracle Garden, 7.20 Lorelei, 7.50 Ellaal, 8.20 Moueenn, 8.50 Ventura Falcon, 9.20 Eastern Dragon.

Double: Limini and Vautour.