AL EILE is a renowned Liverpool specialist but his bid for a third success in the Grade One Aintree Hurdle this afternoon could be spoiled by Straw Bear whose liking for the track is less high-profile.

Compared to the main Irish hope, Straw Bear's Aintree credentials are positively lightweight since he has run here only once.

However, that novice success in 2006 was as visually impressive as anything he has achieved in his career for JP McManus and the bare facts of a 13-length defeat of Conna Castle don't read badly either.

The suspicion that Straw Bear is best on a flat course only deepened after his exciting defeat of Harchibald at Kempton last Christmas but, nevertheless, he ran his usual game race when fifth in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

His form ties in with the excitable Afsoun and two and a half miles on good ground around here should be perfect.

The Champion Hurdle runner-up, Osana, is a form stand-out but he had a very hard race at Cheltenham and it will be a long way to lead around here.

Al Eile has thrived off a good pace in the past and looks the best of the Irish trio that is also comprised of Kalderon and Lounaos. He looks sure to go well again but Straw Bear should be equally as home around Liverpool and could represent some value.

Conna Castle drops back to two miles from winning the Powers at Fairyhouse and faces the impressive Arkle winner Tidal Bay in the Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase. This trip at this speed around here will be a different challenge again to Cheltenham for Tidal Bay and the five-time French winner Takeroc is an interesting opponent after an impressive British debut at Sandown.

My Petra was a good runner-up to Tiger Cry in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham but raced as if a hike up to two and a half miles would be ideal. The novices handicap chase looks a good opportunity for Nicky Henderson's mare to prove the point.

Timisvar will be an Irish hope in the Grade Two Champion Bumper but one to examine looks to be Have You Seen Me who won as expected on his Stratford debut last month.

Nothing was travelling better on the turn in of the Coral Cup than Song Of Songs who should go close over the two miles of the opener while Rio De Janeiro can benefit from an increase of distance in the Listed handicap.