Empire Of Dirt has a crack at Bowl Empire Of Dirt is the sole Irish challenger among a field of seven declared for the Betway Bowl at Aintree on Thursday. Gordon Elliott's 10-year-old could manage only fourth when fancied for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and will be stepping up in distance on Merseyside. Last year's Bowl winner Cue Card bids for a 10th Grade One win on the back of a fall in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He came down at the third-last, just as he had done 12 months previously. Other Gold Cup also-rans seeking redemption are Nigel Twiston-Davies' Bristol De Mai (seventh), Alan King's Smad Place (eighth) and Tea For Two, who unseated Lizzie Kelly at the second fence. The Paul Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti will attempt to land this prize for a third time after coming out on top in 2014 and 2015, while Aso, from the Venetia Williams stable, completes the septet.
