SOFT ground specialist Haut de Gamme (3.45) has a great chance of landing today's Topham Trophy at Aintree.

Ferdy Murphy's ten-year-old put up an outstanding performance to lower the colours of leading Grand National fancy, Strong Resolve, when the pair clashed in a titanic battle at Kelso in March.

Keith Mercer's mount jumps like a bunny rabbit, which combined with Haut de Gamme's ability to handle the testing ground, should help him overcome 29 rivals in what looks to be a particularly competitive renewal of the two-mile-five-furlong contest.

The muddy conditions are also perfect for Rebel Rhythm (4.20) in the Sefton Novices Hurdle.

Sue Smith's towering six-year-old had an impossible task when conceding lumps of weight in a very valuable Grade 3 handicap at Sandown. Even so, Rebel Rhythm ran out of his skin to finish third to Julius Caesar and Billyvoddan.

Now back in less demanding novices company, together with the step up to three-miles, a distance over which he promises to improve by 7-10lb, it is possible to build a convincing case for Sue Smith's potential champion, a horse in possession of real star quality.

Provided the reigning Queen Mother Champion Chaser, Moscow Flyer, stays on his feet, he should win the Melling Chase for the second year in succession.

Jessica Harrington has hinted that her eleven-year-old will not have many more races, and it would be a crying shame if he were to get injured at this late stage of a long and honourable career.

The 14-time champion trainer, Martin Pipe, drew a blank at the meeting yesterday, but he can never be written off and could easily be poised for a double in the closing two races with Zeta's River (4.55) and Celtic Son (5.30).

Zeta's River, who was the subject of massive market support at Newbury recently, duly brought home the bacon in a pretty quick time. He's shot up in the ratings as a result of that success, but like many of Pipe's inmates, Zeta's River remains on an upward curve.

In the closing John Smith's Handicap Hurdle, Celtic Son returns after a 40-day Jockey Club ban under the "non-triers" rule.

The charge related to an incident well before Celtic Son embarked on a sizzling four-timer. But unfortunately for owner David Johnson, the resulting exclusion from the course prevented him running at the Cheltenham Festival.

It might have been a blessing in disguise since the gelding comes to Liverpool fresh after a 56-day break.

Admittedly he's soared up in the handicap, but Celtic Son is a hugely exciting prospect and cannot be underestimated in the extended three-mile event.

Best bet at Lingfield by some way is Attorney (3.55), who returns to six furlongs on the polytrack having failed to get home over a furlong further at Yarmouth 11 days ago.

All ten of Attorney's victories to date have come at sprint trips, so it was no surprise to see him treading water in the closing stages at the east coast venue.

He'll be much better suited by the drop back in trip and from stall four makes stacks of appeal to secure the day's nap selection.

* Graham Wylie is hoping Bewleys Berry can bounce back from his early and unlucky exit at Cheltenham when he lines up at Aintree today.

The seven-year-old only got as far as the fifth flight in the Brit Insurance Novices Hurdle at last month's Festival when he fell after being badly squeezed for room.

Howard Johnson's charge, who had won two of his three previous starts, was checked over by a vet last night just to make sure he had made a full recovery from that nasty experience.

He is among 17 runners in the John Smith's NUSSL Sefton Novices Hurdle, a Grade One contest over an extended three miles.

''He's in the form of his life. Everything is fine with him again and we're looking forward to it,'' said Wylie.

''Hopefully he'll get luck in running this time to make up for Cheltenham.''

Bewleys Berry's rivals include Moulin Riche and Brewster, who were first and third respectively in the Cheltenham race.

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