Magical Merseyside can turn Cheltenham agony into Aintree ecstasy

After Cheltenham, there is always Aintree. Okay, that might not have been the case last year, but there are those represented on Merseyside today particularly grateful the normal order has been restored.

Take those connected to Politologue, the standout performer on Aintree's day two card, who suffered the despair of seeing the brilliant grey taken out of the Champion Chase battle before the first shots had been fired.

The reigning champ was denied the chance to defend his Cheltenham title at the last minute after blood was found in his nose during the preliminaries.