TV TIPS (FRIDAY)

ITV Racing heads to Aintree and Hexham this Friday, with eight live races to get stuck into. Team Skelton are out in force at Aintree, but there’s plenty of value to be found away from the big yards too. From a bold forecast and tricast play in the opener to an each-way chance in the finale, here are our selections for every televised race, plus the one we’re happy to sit out. 13:15 AINTREE

Barnpark's recent stable debut for Team Skelton was too bad to be true, and surely more can be expected here. However, despite the powerhouse yard he represents, others make more appeal.

Handicap debutants Geezer Rockstar and Stride On look major contenders who should make any punter's shortlist. Fellow handicap newcomer Leader Crik looks like he'll be suited by bigger obstacles but will need to improve further to feature.

Top-weight Off The Jury is aiming for a hat-trick and has proved, albeit in a point-to-point, that he can handle this extended trip.

Dixie Mafia is another who has shown he's capable at this distance and should be staying on when others are fading.

Frustratingly, with just seven runners set to go to post, it's tricky to find value, so the bold move of trying to land the tricast and combination forecast is the brave – yet potentially mad – way we're going to play it.

OFF THE JURY - GEEZER ROCKSTAR - DIXIE MAFIA (COMBI FCAST) (REV TCAST)

13:35 HEXHAM

Last-time-out winner C'Mon So has naturally attracted plenty of market support after his recent success and looks capable of going well again. That said, he doesn't tend to win back-to-back races, and it's top-weight Walk Tall who could put paid to his chances.

Walk Tall went close when last seen and looks fairly weighted to go one better, especially dropped into this grade. If he's primed for this after a summer break, he'll take some beating.

WALK TALL (WIN)

13:50 AINTREE

There's talk of a potential Skelton whitewash at Aintree today, and it's hard to look anywhere but their contender here. Lyssenko is unbeaten in three starts and is held in high regard by many. He's been found a relatively straightforward contest for his first foray into handicap company and looks likely to keep his 100% record intact.

Of the remainder, Manuelito and All In You look the best of the rest and the most likely to challenge if the selection fails to come out on top.

LYSSENKO (WIN)

14:10 HEXHAM

Former course winner Ruby Island often goes well and, with a liking for Hexham, is rightly heading the betting. It'd be a shock if Nicky Richards' charge didn't throw down a major challenge.

That said, Hombre De Guerra gets the nod. Although the eight-year-old hasn't won for a while, his third behind Twinjets in a much better race looks eye-catching form, and if he remembers he's meant to get his head in front, he could go well.

The Mother Mozzie looks generously priced and could sneak into the top two if any of the major players fail to produce their best.

HOMBRE DE GUERRA (WIN)

14:25 AINTREE

Despite the small field, this could be the toughest of the live ITV races to figure out. Klimt Madrik's 5lb weight advantage could be a major plus, but equally he didn't win last time out, whereas both his rivals did.

Royal Infantry produced a dominant display at Hexham, but it'd be foolish to write off fellow last-time-out winner Intosomethinggood.

Of the trio, I'm hoping Royal Infantry's recent win wasn't a fluke and that a repeat of that performance will be enough to see him follow up.

ROYAL INFANTRY (WIN)

14:45 HEXHAM

In all honesty, a case could be made for well over half the field in what looks an utter head-scratcher.

The likes of High Dancer and Kool Raoul make clear appeal, but I couldn't entirely rule out Sunset Hill, Snowrocco, Titanium Ring, Colonel Jack or Hopeless Dancer either.

As such, it'd be foolish to put up a selection with any confidence, so this is simply a no-bet race and one you're better off watching. It's a possible placepot killer if some of the lesser-fancied runners fill the places. (NO BET RACE)

15:00 AINTREE

When a Grade 1 winner lines up in a handicap, he needs to be taken seriously, and it's hard to look past course-and-distance winner Mirabad. A solid second on his seasonal return should stand him in good stead, and now that he's dusted off the cobwebs, he can go one better.

JPR One did well to win exactly two weeks ago and is likely to go close again; however, with more weight on his back this time, it could be a tougher ask.

Although they're among the outsiders, it's actually Brookie and Daytime Dreaming I fear most.

MIRABAD (WIN)

15:35 AINTREE

Although the market suggests Here Comes Georgie and Montregard will fight out the finish, with 12 runners set to go to post there are more contenders worth noting.

Konfusion is an ultra-consistent type who looks likely to be in the mix once more if fit for his seasonal return.

Marble Sands and Jasmin De Grugy are others who could outrun their odds and perform better than the bookies may have you believe.

A chance is taken on Master Chewy, who often goes well after a break. If his recent wind operation sparks further progress, he's capable of running a big race at a course he enjoys.

MASTER CHEWY (E/W) written by Rory Paddock