County haul set to be enhanced

Is there something in the air in Gloucestershire? Four of the county’s trainers are in top form with Martin Keighley, Kim Bailey, Olly Murphy and Nigel Twiston-Davies all having strike-rates of 25 per cent or more in the last fortnight, and all have big hopes this weekend.

Keighley runs course and distance winner Talkischeap in Saturday’s London National at Sandown, Bailey will be hoping Imperial Aura can return to form in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree on Saturday, Murphy’s Gunsight Ridge is favourite for a handicap chase at the Esher course on Friday, while TwistonDavies (above) is set to run Checkitout and Rocco in the Becher Chase at Aintree. The trainer has a record six wins in the race and Checkitout posted a solid effort when second at Ascot on his seasonal return.