A fresh quartet saved for Liverpool’s grand national meeting could steal the spotlight

As the Cheltenham roar fades, attention turns to Aintree — and a handful of carefully campaigned horses who swerved the Festival could have the last laugh on Merseyside. Andrew Asquith runs the rule over four contenders kept fresh for the Grand National Meeting, all of whom bring intriguing backstories, clear targets, and the form to trouble the best.

MY DROGO

From injury to redemption: Skelton’s forgotten star revived for Foxhunters’ Chase

Once the jewel in Dan Skelton’s novice hurdle crown, My Drogo has had a winding, sometimes painful road back to prominence. Winner of the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle in 2021 at this very meeting, expectations were sky-high before injury robbed him of nearly two years of racing.

After a lacklustre comeback under Skelton, he switched yards to Edward William Walker in December 2024. The change appears to have reignited his spark. Following two solid spins in point-to-points, he returned under Rules to win a Haydock hunter chase in convincing fashion last month — travelling powerfully, jumping slickly, and staying on with enthusiasm.

With the Foxhunters’ Chase firmly in his sights, My Drogo has the blend of class and conditioning to be a major player. If he can tap into the talent he showed as a novice, he could roll back the years at Aintree.

GO DANTE

Olly Murphy’s Imperial Cup hero eyes compensation after skipping Cheltenham again

Go Dante’s spring programme has become a masterclass in precise planning. Trainer Olly Murphy targeted back-to-back wins in the Imperial Cup — and delivered. The seven-year-old defied a 2lb lower mark than last year and overcame an awkward jump two out to surge home late at Sandown earlier this month.

Rather than take up a tempting County Hurdle entry at Cheltenham — where a £100,000 bonus awaited — connections chose to save him for Aintree again. Last year, Go Dante started favourite for the conditional and amateur riders’ handicap hurdle and ran an extraordinary race despite a poor standing start, doing well to finish close.

This time around, he’s on an even more favourable mark and could line up in the same race with fresher legs and stronger credentials. With Murphy enjoying a career-best season, Go Dante arrives with momentum and a score to settle.

JAMES DU BERLAIS

Mullins’ nearly-horse lines up for Topham revenge over National fences

Willie Mullins knows a thing or two about peaking horses for Aintree, and James du Berlais looks tailor-made for a second crack at the Topham Chase. Though he’s won just once in Ireland since arriving from France, the eight-year-old has consistently run with credit in big handicaps.

Last spring, he looked all over the winner of the Topham, jumping with fluency and travelling ominously well. He powered clear after the elbow, only to tire dramatically and get caught on the line — trading at 1.12 in running.

This year, he arrives fresher, having skipped Cheltenham entirely. His recent run at Leopardstown suggested he’s retained plenty of zest and travelling power. Mullins might instruct a more patient ride this time, with the aim of conserving enough energy for that long Aintree run-in.

Expect another bold bid over the famous fences.

HANDSTANDS

Undefeated chaser primed for Mildmay mission after Grade 1 breakthrough

No horse in this list arrives at Aintree with more momentum than Handstands. The imposing novice chaser has won six of his eight races under Rules and has improved rapidly over fences, culminating in a wide-margin success in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown.

That win is looking better by the week — runner-up Jango Baie stormed home in the Arkle at Cheltenham, underlining the depth of the Sandown form.

Trainer Ben Pauling has always had the Mildmay Novices’ Chase in mind for Handstands, and the three-mile trip could be exactly what this strong stayer wants. The better ground at Aintree may play to his strengths too, especially with his fluent jumping and effortless galloping style.

Few horses arrive at Liverpool with a better combination of form, freshness, and upward momentum.

Verdict

Each of these four horses has deliberately swerved Cheltenham to preserve their edge for Aintree — a decision that could pay dividends.

• My Drogo brings Grade 1 back-class and a heart-warming comeback story.
  
• Go Dante has unfinished business after an unlucky Aintree run last year and comes in off a sharp Sandown win.
  
• James du Berlais returns to the scene of heartbreak, but with a revised strategy.
  
• Handstands is the progressive powerhouse, potentially the best of the bunch if staying the trip.
  

Keep all four firmly on side as Aintree looms.