Black Jack Ketchum, an expensive faller at last month's Cheltenham Festival, can bounce back tomorrow on the opening day of the Aintree Festival.

The eight-year-old lines up for the opening £70,000 John Smith's Liverpool Hurdle and is fancied to start a memorable day in style for trainer Jonjo O'Neill, owner JP McManus and jockey Tony McCoy, following their outstanding success with Butler's Cabin in Monday's Irish Grand National.

Black Jack Ketchum, the leading staying novice hurdler of last season, has had an indifferent campaign this time around.

Although successful on his reappearance, he then suffered a shock defeat at Cheltenham, on ground softer than he prefers, before his latest heavy fall at the third flight at the World Hurdle at the Festival meeting.

Inglis Drever and Mighty Man, first and second in the World Hurdle, are in opposition again tomorrow, with Mighty Man bidding to follow up his win in this race 12 months ago.

But Black Jack Ketchum, also successful at last year's Aintree Festival, is expected to gain handsome compensation for his latest setback by coming out on top in this Grade Two affair, with the ground very much in his favour.

Exotic Dancer can also oblige for O'Neill, McManus and McCoy in the £150,000 Betfair Bowl, the other Grade Two affair on the opening day on Merseyside.

A much-improved performer this season, Exotic Dancer highlighted the progress he has made by chasing home the unbeaten Kauto Star in last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Tomorrow's shorter trip, plus the absence of Kauto Star, provides Exotic Dancer with an excellent opportunity of resuming winning ways.

The only race tomorrow over the National fences is the John Smith's Fox Hunters' Chase, confined to amateur riders.

Tom Greenall, attached to Mick Easterby's Sheriff Hutton yard, has good prospects of landing the honours aboard the Paul Nicholls-trained Le Passing, who was overcome by the mud and three miles when last seen at Haydock. Tomorrow's shorter distance and livelier surface should play to his strengths.

On the Flat at Leicester, Mark Johnston can maintain his good run of form with nap selection Zar Solitario in the ladbrokes.com Kibworth Handicap.

Owned by Sheikh Mohammed, this talented son of Singspiel has won his last two starts at Lingfield and Kempton. He now has to translate that form on to turf, but there is no reason why he can not achieve that, and he looks to have more to offer. Joe Fanning takes the mount.

Michael Jarvis has plenty of ammunition under his care at Newmarket and his runners in the two maidens, Motarjm (4.30) and Dig Gold (5.05), both well-bred newcomers, are worth noting. Neil Callan rides the pair.


Racing selections

Tomorrow

Aintree
2.00 Black Jack Ketchum, 2.35 Exotic Dancer, 3.10 Grand Bleu, 3.45 Le Passing, 4.20 Marshall Hall, 4.55 Tidal Bay, 5.30 Crow Wood.

Leicester 2.10 Silver Guest, 2.45 Strike Force, 3.20 He's A Humbug, 3.55 Zar Solitario (NAP), 4.30 Motarjm, 5.05 Dig Gold, 5.40 Cool Panic.

Tomorrow's other meeting: Taunton (National Hunt).

Today's meetings: Bath (Flat), Exeter and Hereford (both National Hunt). Tom O'Ryan's revised Nap for today is Chatshow in the 5.00 at Bath.