Tim Easterby, who is not represented in the Martell Grand National, can still play a strong supporting role at Aintree tomorrow.

The Great Habton trainer saddles Silver Knight in the Martell Champion National Hunt Flat Race, and I expect that David O'Meara's mount will prove hard to beat.

Well regarded in the Easterby camp, Silver Knight scored on his debut at Doncaster, winning decisively after taking time for the penny to drop.

That experience should stand Silver Knight in excellent stead tomorrow as he steps up in class for a race that carries £30,000 in prize money.

In the £120,000 Martell Aintree Hurdle, which takes pride of place alongside the Grand National, I fancy Bilbao to take the prize for France.

Francois Doumen's mare finished third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last month and tomorrow's step up to two and a half miles should her down to the ground.

The Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle could provide Rooster Booster with a notable double.

Philip Hobbs' gelding ended a long losing run when winning the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. Off a 7lb higher mark tomorrow, he has every chance of following-up.

A small, but select field is the feature of the Maghull Novices' Chase. Seebald, who did best of the runners in the Arkle Chase last month, is fancied to triumph again under Tony McCoy.

Tomorrow's tips:

Aintree (other than Grand National)

1.45 - Rooster Booster

2.20 - Seebald

2.55 - Bilbao

4.35 - Quetal

5.15 - Silver Knight

Updated: 12:11 Friday, April 05, 2002