Indian Gunner, on a high after winning his last two races, can conquer the Grand National fences in his bid to complete a hat-trick at Aintree tomorrow.

The star of trainer Dr Jeremy Naylor's small stable near Salisbury, the ten-year-old lines-up for the Martell Cognac Sainsbury's Topham Chase over one circuit of the formidable National course and is napped to do the business.

A relatively lightly-raced horse, Indian Gunner is in the form of his life at present and comes here on the back of an easy win at Wincanton, where he sauntered home five lengths clear of Restless Wind.

Quite how Indian Gunner will cope with these unique fences remains to be seen, but he is a fine jumper, particularly effective on good ground and has enough speed and stamina to cope with the two and threequarter miles distance of this challenging race. The excellent Robert Thornton has the mount.

In the Martell Cognac Melling Chase, Native Upmanship is fancied to repeat his success of twelve months ago in this valuable Grade 1 event.

Trained in Ireland by Arthur Moore, this high-class performer underlined his well-being when chasing home Moscow Flyer in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival.

Admittedly, there were two fallers at the second-last fence that day, both of whom looked likely to take a hand in the finish.

But Native Upmanship was staying on strongly over two miles and tomorrow's extra four furlongs will suit him down to the ground - just as it did last year.

Irish trainer Tony Martin is always a man to be taken seriously when he brings horses to Britain, which makes his Ross Moff worthy of attention in the Martell Cognac V.S. Thresher Handicap Chase.

Ross Moff finished a creditable fifth in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham last month and will be much more at home stepping up to an extended three miles tomorrow.

Jarki has sound claims in the Happy Shopper Mildmay Novices' Chase.

Trainer Henry Daly bypassed an opportunity on the course today with the gelding in order to save him for tomorrow and the hint should be taken as Jakari bids for a hat-trick of wins.

In the Laurel Pub Company Top Novices' Hurdle, Jaboune is selected to oblige for in-form trainer Alan King.

The six-year-old had the option of running in the concluding handicap over two and a half miles, but King has opted for this Grade 2 event over the minimum trip, and the hint should be taken.

Hardy Eustace, who hit the heights at the Cheltenham Festival, gets the chance to complete a notable double in the Martell Cognac Sefton Novices' Hurdle.

Dessie Hughes' high-class charge had the measure of the much-touted Pizarro in the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle, winning in fine style. Tomorrow's longer distance should suit him even better.

Tomorrow's other race meetings are on the all-weather track at Southwell, and a Flat turf programme at Folkestone.

Friday's tips:

Aintree

2.00 Ross Moff, 2.35 Jaboune, 3.10 Native Upmanship, 3.45 Indian Gunner (Nap), 4.20 Hardy Eustace, 4.55 Jakari, 5.30 Monkerhostin.

Southwell

2.20 Baytown Shamrock, 2.55 If By Chance, 3.30 Sensational Mover, 4.05 Bahamian Belle, 4.40 Sports Express. 5.15 Mon Secret.

Updated: 12:53 Thursday, April 03, 2003