Irish raiders have landed the last three runnings of the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy and they have a fine chance of making it four in a row today as they are responsible for three of the seven runners at Doncaster.

Aiden O'Brien, who took the race last year with Camelot, saddles Kingsbarns while Andy Oliver lets First Cornerstone take his chance.

But, for me, the strongest chance is the Jim Bolger trained Trading Leather who is still unexposed, after only three starts.

Bolger's Zip Top chased home Camelot 12 months ago and he admits this race has more strength in depth.

Trading Leather sprang to prominence for next year's Derby by winning the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket on Future Champions Day.

"He's very well. It's an attractive Group One and as he came out of the Newmarket race very well, he deserves a shot at a race like this," said Bolger.

Over the M62, Aintree get their new season under way and my nap of the day goes in the Veterans' Chase at 2.25pm in the shape of Big Fella Thanks.

Twice the ten-year-old has been towards the head of the market in the Grand National itself, running a big race both times before stamina ran out.

He is coming back from a long time away from the track which doesn't bother me as he's gone very well fresh in the past and another plus is he's having his first start with Tom George since leaving Ferdy Murphy.

The handicapper has also dropped him in the weights and it will be surprise if he's not involved under Paddy Brennan in a race that should be run to suit.

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to spend three days with champion trainer Paul Nicholls who looks poised to have another stellar season, and has plenty of chances at both Chepstow and Aintree this afternoon.

Stable jockey Ruby Walsh has opted to go to Chepstow, the reason being is Wonderful Charm in the Grade 2 Persian War Novices Hurdle at 3.40pm.

Nicholls is well represented at Aintree, Pacha Du Polder goes in the Betfred Old Roan Chase but I like his chances with a couple of greys on the card.

Sir Alex Ferguson's Empire Levant goes well fresh and can go close in the opening handicap hurdle while there was plenty of stable chat about the four-year-old Unioniste who starts his career with Nicholls in the novices' chase at 4.35pm.

The grey runs in the colours of John Hales who has owned many a famous grey including Neptune Collonges and One Man, he might just have another star on his hands here.