National Hunt enthusiasts have the stage to themselves on Sunday with three jumping cards, including Aintree, the home of the Grand National, forming the racing menu.

The bad news is, that the continuing firm ground has taken its toll on two of the fixtures, Wincanton and Towcester, which are able to claim total fields of only 24 and 29 runners respectively.

Aintree, though, has stood up pretty well and all eyes will be on Strong Flow in the Doubleprint Novices' Chase.

Paul Nicholls' potentially high-class fencer created a big impression when notching a couple of low-grade chase wins at Worcester and Kelso back in May.

Nicholls is considering tilting him towards the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup next month, in which case Strong Flow will need to win with some authority here. Joe Tizzard is in the hot-seat.

Log On Intersky catches the eye in the Bonusprint.com Handicap Chase.

Sure to be all the better for his comeback outing at Market Rasen last month, Graham Lee's mount has every chance of figuring in the shake-up here, despite a pretty formidable field facing the starter.

Luke Dace is making quite a name for himself as an up-and-coming trainer and the Findon-based handler can take the opening Tripleprint Handicap Hurdle with Wee Danny.

The six-year-old has stacked-up a sequence of wins and, although stepping up in class here, he is at the right end of the handicap to make his presence felt. He is awarded the nap vote.

Orswell Crest (3-55), a previous winner on this course, and the promising Mr Ed (4-30), the mount of Tony McCoy, are two others to note at the Merseyside track.

At Wincanton, the ultra-popular Edredon Bleu makes his keenly-awaited reappearance in the Fieldspring Desert Orchid Chase.

Now rising 12 years old, Henrietta Knight's multi-talented performer is fast coming to the end of his career, but he remains a high-class chaser, perfectly capable of conceding weight to his rivals.

Balladeer gives Knight good prospects of a double in the Yeovil Hospice Novices' Hurdle.

The useful Toi Express (1-25) and the hat-trick seeking Commanche War Paint (1-55) are also worth noting.

Whatever Henrietta Knight's fortunes at Wincanton, she should make her mark at Towcester with Allimac, who has only two rivals in the Fletcher King Howard Handicap Chase over two miles.

The promising Exodous (1-35) and the consistent Rose Tina (3-10) are also worthy of note on a programme, where full each-way betting will be available on only one of the six races.

Sunday's tips:

Aintree

1-45 Wee Danny (NAP); 2-15 Strong Flow; 2-45 Log On Intersky; 3-20 Ile Michel; 3-55 Orswell Crest; 4-30 Mr Ed

Wincanton

1-25 Toi Express; 1-55 Commanche War Paint; 2-25 Balladeer; 2-55 Edredon Bleu; 3-30 Step Quick; 4-05 Doberman

Towcester

1-35 Exodous; 2-05 Allimac; 2-35 Rainbows Aglitter; 3-10 Rose Tina; 3-45 Governor Daniel; 4-20 Julia's Choice

Updated: 11:01 Saturday, October 25, 2003