Nap of the Day: Honesty is the best Policy on Grand National day

I've slept since, so it's safe to talk about Highlands Legacy in the Red Rum on Thursday. Jonjo & A J O'Neill's seven-year-old was going to win but for that mistake at the last, wasn't he? I'm sure of it.

Hopefully it's a swift return to the winners' enclosure for Nap of the Day followers at Aintree on Saturday, Grand National day, courtesy of one in the last of three Grade 1s on the card.

If he hasn't already done so by three-o-clock, Gordon Elliott can complete a Grade 1 hat-trick at this year's Grand National Festival courtesy of HONESTY POLICY in the Liverpool Hurdle on Saturday.

The six-year-old son of Jukebox Jury was in the winners' enclosure at this meeting 12 months ago, beating Mildmay Novices' Chase runner-up Regent's Stroll in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle, and I think he's got a huge chance of being there again on Grand National day.

After last year's exploits on Merseyside, Honesty Policy was just touched off by 2025 Albert Bartlett hero Jasmin De Vaux, and in front of recent WillowWarm Gold Cup winner Fleur In The Park, at the Punchestown Festival on his first attempt over three miles.

That was the last we saw of him as a novice, reappearing exactly 234 days later in the Long Walk at Ascot in December. I thought he ran a blinder in Berkshire. It was his first run in open company, as just a five-year-old, and he was lacking fitness unlike Impose Toi and Strong Leader, who reoppose on Saturday. The selection was within a couple of lengths of that pair, closing with every stride.

His next outing was in the Stayers' Hurdle at last month's Cheltenham Festival. I don't know if that 82-day layoff was by design or due to a setback, but I felt it told up the hill at HQ. Still, he was fifth of 10, just under seven lengths off the pace. Not a bad effort at all.

He ought to strip fitter here, which can bring about improvement - of which he's open to plenty given his age and inexperience. He'll love the ground, too, and we know he acts on the track.

On top of all that, I feel there's significant questions to answer from a majority of his 10 rivals in the Liverpool Hurdle.

It's been another busy campaign for Strong Leader, and the nine-year-old sports a tongue tie for the first time after undergoing wind surgery in March. Warning signs or what?

Jingko Blue was excellent in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, but he did get things his own way out in front and this is a step up in grade. A line through Kabral Du Mathan in the Relkeel Hurdle suggests he's got a bit to find.

Last year's winner Hiddenvalley Lake has looked out of love with the game in two starts since, while Impose Toi is another who might just be feeling the effects of a long, hard season.

Stayers' hero Home By The Lee has pulled-up on his last two visits to Merseyside, so can't be advised, and Air Of Entitlement has over 10lbs to find on official ratings.

The others - namely Take No Chances, Hewick, Doddiethegreat and Lavida Adiva - will surely find this too hot.

As far as I'm concerned, this is a fantastic opportunity for Honesty Policy to establish himself as the new force in the three-mile hurdling division. I expect him to do just that.

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