Previous winners Clan Des Obeaux and Kemboy are among nine runners declared for the Betway Bowl at Aintree on Thursday.

Kemboy was a brilliant winner of the Grade 1 contest in 2019 for Willie Mullins, beating the Paul Nicholls-trained Clan Des Obeaux into second.

The application of cheekpieces appeared to have the desired effect for Clan Des Obeaux in last year’s renewal as he struck gold by a whopping 26 lengths, before going on to win the Punchestown Gold Cup.

The 10-year-old has been beaten twice since and is interestingly fitted with blinkers for the first time for the defence his crown on Merseyside.

Kemboy has not managed to get his head in front since claiming a fourth Grade 1 success in last year’s Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, most recently finishing fifth when bidding for back-to-back wins in the Dublin Racing Festival feature in February.

The one to beat on recent form is Dan Skelton’s Protektorat, who was best of the British when third behind Henry de Bromhead’s pair of A Plus Tard and Minella Indo in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Conflated, trained by Gordon Elliott, was a surprise winner of the Irish Gold Cup and looked set to be placed in the Ryanair at Cheltenham before falling two from home.

Colin Tizzard’s Eldorado Allen finished third in the Ryanair and is another leading contender, as is Royale Pagaille after finishing fifth in the Gold Cup for Venetia Williams.

Nigel Twiston-Davies will be praying for rain to give Bristol De Mai the best possible chance of claiming victory, while Ann Hamilton steps Nuts Well up in class after a Listed triumph at Kelso.

Olly Murphy’s outsider Itchy Feet completes the line-up.

Aintree Hurdle

Champion Hurdle second and third Epatante and Zanahiyr renew rivalry in the Betway Aintree Hurdle.

Nicky Henderson’s Epatante has won and been placed twice in the last three runnings of the Champion Hurdle and will test the water over two and a half miles for the first time, as does Elliott’s Zanahiyr.

Nicholls saddles both Monmiral and McFabulous, who are both previous winners at Aintree.

Brewin’upastorm (Olly Murphy), Glory And Fortune (Tom Lacey) and Guard Your Dreams (Nigel Twiston-Davies) complete the seven-strong field.

Nicholls will have high hopes for Pic D’orhy in the first of three Grade 1s on the opening afternoon of the meeting – the Sss Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Chase.

The Turgeon gelding has been kept fresh since landing the Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton in February and will again cross swords with the runner-up that day, the Alex Hales-trained Millers Bank.

Erne River has won his last three races for Nick Kent, earning him this step up in grade.

Jacamar (Milton Harris), The Widdow Maker (Tizzard), War Lord (Tizzard) and Gin On Lime (Henry de Bromhead) are the other hopefuls.

Juvenile Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival scorer Brazil heads a field of nine four-year-olds set to go to post for the Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle.

Padraig Roche’s youngster narrowly foiled the heavily backed Gaelic Warrior in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle in the Cotswolds and certainly merits having his sights raised.

Elliott’s Pied Piper is the obvious danger after finishing third in the Triumph Hurdle, while Jonjo O’Neill saddles French recruit Petit Tonnerre, who made a successful British debut at Market Rasen.

DECLARED RUNNERS FOR AINTREE THURSDAY

LATEST GOING: Good to Soft on all courses (Mildmay, Hurdle and Grand National)

1:45pm SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f 200y

1 Erne River (IRE) 7 11 4 Nick Kent Crossed Fingers Partnership Charlie Hammond

2 Jacamar (GER) p 7 11 4 Milton Harris Mark & Maria Adams Paddy Brennan

3 Millers Bank 8 11 4 Alex Hales Millers Bank Partnership Kielan Woods

4 Pic D'orhy (FR) ts 7 11 4 Paul Nicholls Mrs Johnny de la Hey Harry Cobden

5 The Widdow Maker h,ts 8 11 4 Colin Tizzard Mr Sax Purdie Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

6 War Lord (GER) 7 11 4 Colin Tizzard The Wychwood Partnership Brendan Powell

7 Gin On Lime (FR) ts 6 10 11 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robcour Rachael Blackmore

2:20pm Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 209y

1 Brazil (IRE) 4 11 0 Padraig Roche Ireland Mr John P. McManus Mark Walsh

2 Impulsive One (USA) ts 4 11 0 Nicky Henderson Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob

3 Inca Prince (IRE) h 4 11 0 Ruth Jefferson R Whitelock, L Clemitson & R Jefferson Jamie Hamilton

4 In The Air (FR) 4 11 0 Gary Moore Mr O. S. Harris Jamie Moore

5 Knight Salute 4 11 0 Milton Harris Four Candles Partnership Paddy Brennan

6 Petit Tonnerre (FR) 4 11 0 Jonjo O'Neill Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

7 Pied Piper 4 11 0 Gordon Elliott Ireland Caldwell Construction Ltd Davy Russell

8 Too Friendly 4 11 0 Dan Skelton The Gredley Family Harry Skelton

9 Fautinette (FR) 4 10 7 Venetia Williams DFA Racing (Anderson & Edwards) Charlie Deutsch

2:55pm Betway Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m 210y

1 Bristol de Mai (FR) 11 11 7 Nigel Twiston-Davies Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Daryl Jacob

2 Clan des Obeaux (FR) bl 10 11 7 Paul Nicholls Mr&Mrs P.K.Barber,G.Mason,Sir A Ferguson Harry Cobden

3 Conflated (IRE) 8 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Gigginstown House Stud Davy Russell

4 Eldorado Allen (FR) ts 8 11 7 Colin Tizzard J P Romans & Terry Warner Brendan Powell

5 Itchy Feet (FR) p 8 11 7 Olly Murphy Kate & Andrew Brooks Aidan Coleman

6 Kemboy (FR) 10 11 7 W. P. Mullins Ireland Kemboy/Brett Graham/Ken Sharp Syndicate P. Townend

7 Nuts Well 11 11 7 Ann Hamilton Mr Ian Hamilton Danny McMenamin

8 Protektorat (FR) ts 7 11 7 Dan Skelton Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Harry Skelton

9 Royale Pagaille (FR) 8 11 7 Venetia Williams Mrs S. Ricci Charlie Deutsch

3:30pm Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

1 Brewin'upastorm (IRE) ts, p 9 11 7 Olly Murphy Mrs Barbara Hester Sean Bowen

2 Glory And Fortune (IRE) ts 7 11 7 Tom Lacey Mr J. Hinds Stan Sheppard

3 Guard Your Dreams 6 11 7 Nigel Twiston-Davies Graham and Alison Jelley Sam Twiston-Davies

4 McFabulous (IRE) p 8 11 7 Paul Nicholls Giraffa Racing Lorcan Williams

5 Monmiral (FR) 5 11 7 Paul Nicholls Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Harry Cobden

6 Zanahiyr (IRE) ts, p 5 11 7 Gordon Elliott Ireland Bective Stud Jack Kennedy

7 Epatante (FR) 8 11 0 Nicky Henderson Mr John P. McManus Aidan Coleman

4:05pm Randox Foxhunters' Chase 2m 5f 19y (Grand National Course)

1 Activial (FR) ts, p 12 12 0 Francesca Poste Mr J. B. Harper Mrs Amy Cox

2 Another Venture (IRE) v 11 12 0 Nicky Henderson Mrs Louise Daly Mr George Daly

3 Cat Tiger (FR) ts 8 12 0 Paul Nicholls Mr David Maxwell Mr David Maxwell

4 Clondaw Westie (IRE) ts, p 11 12 0 Alan Hill For Fun Partnership Miss Izzie Marshall

5 Complete Sizing (FR) p 10 12 0 Philip Rowley Jonathan Lee and Angie Sykes Mr Ben Bromley

6 Cousin Pascal (FR) 10 12 0 J. J. O'Shea Mr P. A. Clifton Mr James King

7 Dashing Perk 11 12 0 Dr Richard Newland Mr Paul Jenkins Mr Tommie M. O'Brien

8 Demain des L'Aube (FR) 9 12 0 W. Easterby Mr I. P. Crane Mr William Easterby

9 Down The Highway (IRE) 9 12 0 Ciaran Murphy Ireland Coolderry Partnership

10 Drumconnor Lad (IRE) ts, p 12 12 0 Adrian Keatley Mr David Keys & Mrs Breda Keatley

11 Ferocious (IRE) ts 8 12 0 Miss K. Leckenby Gottabelucky Partnership Mr Joe Wright

12 Golden Tobouggan 11 12 0 Mrs Julie Wadland Mrs Julie Wadland Miss Alice Stevens

13 Jett (IRE) p 11 12 0 Robert Waley-Cohen Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

14 Latenightpass 9 12 0 T. Ellis Mrs P. A. Ellis Miss Gina Andrews

15 Le Breuil (FR) bl,ts 10 12 0 Ben Pauling Mrs Emma Palmer Mr Peter Mason

16 Marracudja (FR) ts 11 12 0 Dan Skelton Foxtrot Racing Marracudja Mr Tristan Durrell

17 Michael's Pick (IRE) bl,ts 8 12 0 Ciaran Murphy Ireland Mrs D. A. Love

18 Mighty Stowaway (IRE) ts, p 11 12 0 Lawney Hill Mr N. Sutton Mr Ben Sutton

19 Myth Buster (IRE) 9 12 0 Mrs Sara V. Bradstock The 369 Partnership Mr P. W. Mullins

20 Pont Aven (IRE) p 9 12 0 J. P. Owen Mr T. C. O. Gredley Mr Alex Chadwick

21 Porlock Bay (FR) 11 12 0 Will Biddick Mr John Studd Mr William Biddick

22 Reikers Island (IRE) ts, p 9 12 0 Alan Hill Mr Daniel Cherriman

23 Stand Up And Fight (IRE) p 10 12 0 Enda Bolger Ireland Mr John P. McManus Miss Aine O'Connor

24 The Dellercheckout (IRE) v 9 12 0 Mrs C. J. Robinson Mrs Caroline Robinson Miss Immy Robinson

4:40pm Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 1m 7f 176y

1 Sky Pirate ts 9 11 12 Jonjo O'Neill Martin Tedham & Wasdell Properties Ltd. Nick Scholfield

2 Dolos (FR) ts 9 11 7 Paul Nicholls Mrs Johnny de la Hey Harry Cobden

3 Before Midnight 9 11 7 Sam Thomas Walters Plant Hire & Potter Group Sam Twiston-Davies

4 Global Citizen (IRE) 10 11 2 Ben Pauling The Megsons Kielan Woods

5 Bold Enough (IRE) 7 11 2 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Mr Mustafa Elatrash Mark Walsh

6 Elixir de Nutz (FR) ts 8 11 1 Colin Tizzard Mr Terry Warner Brendan Powell

7 Zarkareva (FR) ts 6 11 1 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robcour Rachael Blackmore

8 Frero Banbou (FR) 7 11 1 Venetia Williams Mr P. Davies Charlie Deutsch

9 Thyme White (FR) 6 11 1 Paul Nicholls The Stewart Family & Michael Blencowe Bryony Frost

10 Dancing On My Own (IRE) ts 8 11 0 Henry de Bromhead Ireland Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Darragh O'Keeffe

11 King d'Argent (FR) 7 10 12 Dan Skelton Andrew Dick and John Stevenson Harry Skelton

12 Gaelik Coast (FR) p 8 10 10 Donald McCain Mr T. G. Leslie Brian Hughes

13 Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 8 10 9 Ben Pauling Mr Harry Redknapp Kevin Brogan (3)

14 Bun Doran (IRE) ts, p 11 10 7 Tom George Crossed Fingers Partnership Ciaran Gethings

15 Gunsight Ridge ts 7 10 7 Olly Murphy Mrs Diana L. Whateley Aidan Coleman

16 The Last Day (IRE) 10 10 6 Evan Williams Mr & Mrs William Rucker Adam Wedge

17 Fugitif (FR) ts 7 10 6 Richard Hobson Mr Carl Hinchy & Dr Emad Hussain

18 Espion du Chenet (FR) ts 8 10 4 Louise G. Lyons Ireland Nicholas Teehan R. P. Treacy (3)

5:15pm Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 209y

1 All The Glory 5 11 0 Jonjo O'Neill Topspeed Thoroughbreds Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

2 Ashroe Diamond (IRE) 5 11 0 W. P. Mullins Ireland Blue Blood Racing Club Mr P. W. Mullins

3 Fancy Stuff (IRE) 5 11 0 Dan Skelton Thirsty Thursday Syndicate Bridget Andrews

4 Girlofmydreams 5 11 0 Neil Mulholland Dajam Ltd Adam Wedge

5 Kalelula 5 11 0 Fergal O'Brien Craig & Laura Buckingham Paddy Brennan

6 Kateira 5 11 0 Dan Skelton Little Lodge Farm & Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

7 Lady Excalibur (IRE) 5 11 0 Alan Jones Burnham P & D Ltd Rachael Blackmore

8 Law Ella (IRE) 5 11 0 Gavin Cromwell Ireland Thomas P. Ward Aidan Coleman

9 Leading Theatre (IRE) 6 11 0 Fergal O'Brien Mrs Carolyn Kendrick Max Kendrick

10 Lutinebella 6 11 0 Fergal O'Brien Blue StaRR Racing FOB Liam Harrison

11 Magical Maggie 5 11 0 Alastair Ralph Mrs Norma Harris Alex Edwards

12 Malina Jamila 6 11 0 Neil King Maundrell, Sawyer & Andrews Jack Quinlan

13 Naughtinesse (IRE) 6 11 0 Mrs Lorna Fowler Ireland Mrs A.Frost/P.G. Davies/R.H. Fowler Mr T. Hamilton

14 Nell's Bells (IRE) 6 11 0 Donald McCain Mrs Sarah Leslie Peter Kavanagh

15 River of Joy 5 11 0 Peter Bowen Big Time Billy Racing Sean Bowen

16 Roc of Dundee (IRE) 5 11 0 Donald McCain Miss C. McCracken Brian Hughes

17 Walk In The Storm (IRE) 5 11 0 Ian Williams Topspeed Thoroughbreds Charlie Todd

18 Iliade Allen (FR) 4 10 6 Paul Nicholls Mr Andy Peake Harry Cobden

19 Ilovethenightlife 4 10 6 Colin Tizzard Geoff Nicholas, Susan & John Waterworth Brendan Powell

20 Rosy Redrum (IRE) h,ts 4 10 6 Milton Harris Mark & Maria Adams Mitchell Bastyan