AS usual the supporting card for the Grand National lacks nothing in quality, with pride of place going to the £120,000 Martell Aintree Hurdle.

The glittering all-star line-up includes the 1999 track and trip winner Barton, Hors La Loi 111, Mister Banjo, and Henrietta Knight's Best Mate, who returns to the smaller obstacles following three spectacular victories over fences.

If you excuse Teaatral for his recent inexplicable flop at Ascot, he could also figure prominently. But the one I favour is Barton (2.20), whose relentless style of galloping carried him to an incredible seven straight wins the season before last.

Tim Easterby's wondrous chestnut, laid off through injury for the whole of last term, was not at his best when beaten at Cheltenham in January, but the vibes from Great Habton suggest he's now back to his brilliant best.

The build-up to the National begins slightly earlier at 1.45 with the 22-runner Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle. A contest which by virtue of its degree of difficulty might well have been specifically cooked up by the bookies to get a few quid in their satchels prior to the big race.

Despite a healthy hike of 10lb in the weights following an emphatic win in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Sandown, Ibal (1.45) still has the perfect profile.

He's only a five-year-old and therefore in all probability remains capable of significant improvement. The West Sussex raider also has the services of the top amateur, Ben Hitchcott, who is poised to join the professional ranks in the near future.

Joe Tizzard gets the leg-up on Whitenzo (2.20), fancied to complete a money-spinning four-timer in the Martell Maghull Novices' Chase.

Paul Nicholls has an embarrassment of riches in the novices chasing department, the selection putting up a much-improved effort to slam Rodock by 14 lengths at Warwick in February.

The standard of the Weatherby's Champion Standard National Hunt Flat Race is somewhat devalued due to the conspicuous lack of an Irish contingent.

But it will still take a very smart performer to capture the prestigious prize, bound in my opinion for Scotland and The Bajan Bandit (5.15).

Len Lungo's charge is unbeaten in three starts, clearly impressing his regular pilot Tony Dobbin, who rates the son of Commanche Run as a fabulous prospect for next winter's campaign over timber.

Newbury try their best to match Aintree and the Stan James Handicap Chase is an event to savour.

Yet more hock deep ground, although it technically shouldn't do the prospects of Ambleside (1.40) any harm. Jody Mogford's mount is long overdue a win at this level after a string of consistent, if frustrating, placed outings in slightly superior company.

The versatile Open Ground (2.40) returns to hurdles, having won on the level at Lingfield 19 days ago.

The Ian Williams-trained four-year-old is an exceptionally tough sort, who really does relish his racing. At first glance Open Ground does appear to have an extremely stiff task taking on older and more experienced horses.

On the other hand, such is his rate of progress, it is better to strike again while the iron is hot.

Musselburgh's hastily arranged fixture replaces the fixture at Hamilton, abandoned due to the waterlogging.

The talented but quirky Get Stuck In (1.55) will hard to beat if in the mood for the Ben More Handicap.

Linda Perratt's sprinter came out all guns blazing at Doncaster a fortnight ago, when he appeared to be home and hosed only to be nailed on the wire by Pure Coincidence.

Three previous juvenile winners, In 'N' Out, Simianna, and Steely Dan (2.30), turn out for the Scottish Racing Novice Stakes.

Track and trip scorer Simianna is a typically sharp Alan Berry filly, however the one with the scope to go on to better things is Steely Dan, a pocket battleship of a two-year-old who floored a decent field at Southwell eight days ago.

In the closing division two of the Come Racing in Scotland Maiden Stakes, Desert Deer (5.20) should not be missed.

Mark Johnston's colt, denied a winning opportunity when Ripon fell foul of the wet weather on Wednesday, has been fortunate to find such an easy alternative so soon afterwards.

Desert Deer, a half-brother to the record-breaking mare Branston Abby, has developed over the past few months into an imposing racehorse. He works in the style of an extremely useful three-year-old on the gallops at Middleham, although he is unlikely to start at a working man's price in such a weak field.