RACING: Enigma of Egypt at Aintree

The Grand National meeting, which starts a fortnight on Thursday, will provide a swift opportunity for several of the horses that failed to collect at Cheltenham.

Egypt Mill Prince mystified his owner, Steve Webb, when a well-beaten seventh to Viking Flagship in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and will now attempt to re-establish his reputation in the Martell Aintree Handicap Chase over two miles on National day. "It's as if he's become a Jekyll and Hyde character who runs well when he wants to," Webb said.

Even more reluctant these days is the 1993 Champion Hurdler, Granville Again. He has been dropped 7lb by the handicapper following his poor run behind Alderbrook last week - to 22lb lower than his rating after he won the title.

"He is entered in Aintree's Cordon Bleu Handicap and I feel it is time he was given a chance in a handicap," Phil Judge, the BHB handicapper, said. "He hasn't won since his Champion, nor has he shown anywhere near that class for some time, so I don't think he is getting his chance out of turn."