Racing: Trust Dynaste to make the grade

Trainer David Pipe at his Pond House stables with Dynaste. Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA

Four Grade Ones on the card represent exceptional action for those in attendance at Merseyside, with David Pipe’s grey set to be the star of the show.

The eight-year-old has had an up-and-down season, but he muted dissenting voices with a superb display at the Cheltenham Festival.

Dynaste jumped beautifully in the Ryanair Chase and was good value for his two-and-a-quarter-length defeat of Hidden Cylcone.

That run not only outlined his deeply progressive profile, but also served notice that his pretty awful run in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day was not his true form.

Pipe has taken the decision to step him back up in trip to three miles and a furlong, but that is of little consequence given he fairly waltzed home over course and distance in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase 12 months ago.

Silviniaco Conti and last year’s winner First Lieutenant are obviously respected, but Dynaste’s stock is rising and he might just have a little more scope now he has evidently rediscovered his mojo.

Assuming the ground remains relatively decent, a big run looks assured.

Backing the The New One in the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle is unlikely to make anyone rich, but he cannot be opposed with any degree of ambition.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ fine hurdler was denied by half a length against a more streetwise rival in this race 12 months ago, when his jockey should have perhaps slightly delayed his challenge. Expect no mistakes this time.

Oscar Whisky can restore his slightly bruised reputation by claiming the Pinsent Masons Manifesto Novices’ Chase.

Nicky Henderson’s nine-year-old arrived at Cheltenham as a leading contender for the JLT Novices’ Chase, but his journey ended at the first fence. Before that, however, he had looked pretty classy and two and a half miles on reasonable ground looks ideal.

Punters can get off to a good start to the Crabbie’s Grand National meeting by supporting Fox Norton in the Injured Jockeys Fund 50th Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle. The four-year-old gelding looked good in a Grade Three at Doncaster in December and will be fitter than most, having swerved the Cheltenham Festival.

Nakuti looks the bet of the day at Lingfield. Sylvester Kirk’s filly showed encouraging form as a juvenile, has an action which tends to lend itself to the all-weather and Ryan Moore is on board, for the 32Red Immortal Romance Slot Handicap.

Conry should be followed in the Ladbrokes Handicap at Wolverhampton, while the likeable Fiendish Flame can shrug off a long absence by winning the C & D Southwest Handicap Hurdle at Taunton.