French trainer Francois Doumen, who has high hopes of winning Saturday's Grand National with Innox, can get into the right frame of mind at Aintree tomorrow by landing the opening-day highlight with L'Ami.
The mount of Tony McCoy, L'Ami goes for the £150,000 Betfair Bowl Chase, carrying the colours of his new owner JP McManus, who bought him only last week.
On his latest start, L'Ami finished a highly-creditable fourth to War Of Attrition in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which was not the only fine display he has produced in defeat this term.
He finished in the same position in the King George VI Chase at Sandown's Christmas meeting and was a brave second to his stablemate Innox under a big weight in the Racing Post Chase.
A major success is overdue for L'Ami, who I fancy to come good tomorrow, despite the presence of such rivals as Monkerhostin and Beef Or Salmon.
My Way de Solzen, who was my selection when winning at Cheltenham last month, is likewise napped tomorrow to launch the meeting on a victorious note.
The £70,000 John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle is the target for Alan King's admirable six-year-old, who will again have the assistance of Robert Thornton as he bids to chalk-up his fourth success from five outings this season.
My Way de Solzen gained his latest triumph in the World Hurdle, producing a brave performance to beat Golden Cross by a head in a thrilling encounter.
That performance confirmed My Way de Solzen to be top class and he can hammer home the point.
The only race over the famous Grand National course tomorrow is the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase, confined to amateur riders.
Welburn-based Ben Woodhouse will be taking part aboard dual-winner Barryscourt Lad, while Oliver Greenall will be on Sikander A Azam, trained by David Easterby, son of Mick.
My vote, however, goes to last year's winner Katarino, who is fancied to score again under Sam Waley-Cohen.
Thursday's tips:
Aintree
2.00 My Way de Solzen (Nap), 2.35 L'Ami, 3.10 Afsoun, 3.45 Katarino, 4.20 Jacks Craic, 4.55 Harmony Brig, 5.30 Wyldello.
Leicester
2.10 Dimboola, 2.45 Psycho Cat, 3.20 Cool Customer, 3.55 Juniper Girl, 4.30 Gamble In Gold, 5.05 Souffleur, 5.40 Dabbers Ridge.
Tomorrow's other meeting is at Taunton.
Updated: 12:16 Wednesday, April 05, 2006
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