Aintree Grand National Festival: Day 1 Picks

13:45 – EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – Jango Baie

DESPITE the quick turnaround from the Cheltenham Festival, Jango Baie gets the pick thanks to qualities he put on show last month. Quick, efficient jumping and an ability to stay beyond two miles were key to his victory in the Arkle. With sun forecast Henderson’s runner is guaranteed ground some description of good and should continue his impressively consistent record of never finishing outside the top two in nine starts. Croke Park boasts two grade ones as a novice chaser, including a victory by a neck to Ryanair Chase runner-up Heart Wood, a really good bit of form considering the brave effort that horse put in behind a brilliant winner in Fact To File. Croke Park would have got the pick here if ground was softer but the speed of the surface may just give the selection the edge. A forecast or even a tricast is very doable in this race in my opinion thanks to the quality at the top of the market compared to the field. Impaire Et Passe rounds off these places, with a grade one success in the Faugheen Novices’ Chase to his name and solid festival form after last year’s Aintree Hurdle success.

14:20 – Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)
(GBB Race) – Puturhandstogether

ONCE again, this pick defies the quick Cheltenham turnaround but the victory in last month’s Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap looked like this horse could have been competitive in the Triumph Hurdle. The ability to cruise late into the race and the extra gear in the final furlong was very impressive with athletic ability clearly passed down from his sire Caravaggio. He boasts form ahead of a few rivals here from that run and hasn’t been out of the top three since changing disciplines so justifies favouritism. Live Conti runs for the Skeltons and
Sir Alex Ferguson who can be very prolific at this meeting. He looked like he could be anything when bolting up at Wetherby in February and has only missed out thanks to the solid evidence the favourite produced last time out in a big field at a big meeting. Mambonumberfive makes 3rd spot after winning a grade two at Kempton last time out against some useful horses where he easily coped with the pace and looked like he could step up in competition for the
Ben Pauling yard.

14:55 – Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase (Grade 1)
(GBB Race) – Spillane’s Tower

THIS runner would probably be my pick of the day. Jimmy Mangan has kept this horse fresh since finishing 5th in the King George VI Chase in December, where a rapid pace was set and his jumping wasn’t up to his usually good standard. This horse has tonnes of ability which was perfectly demonstrated when a close 2nd to Fact To File at Punchestown in November. The winner most recently put in the most impressive performance of the meeting at Cheltenham last month when winning the Ryanair and that form alone feels too difficult to ignore in this race. Ahoy Senor boasts great form at this meeting from previous seasons and the good ground should see him make the picture here provided he jumps as soundly as he is capable of. I wouldn’t risk betting on a forecast or tricast for this race however because the 2nd and 3rd pick here do have a mistake in them at times. Grey Dawning could make the remaining place after getting a win on the board at Kelso last month. Missing Cheltenham seems important as, although he won there last season, the exertion to get the win seemed to make him run flat at Aintree and after winning an easier race last time he might be fresher.

15:30 – William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – Constitution Hil

THE winner of this race in 2023 returns after a dramatic renewal of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham saw Nicky Henderson’s superstar take a dramatic fall at the top of the hill. It was very uncharacteristic for what we have come to expect from this horse from the past few seasons but there were warning signs that nobody could have anticipated would lead to a fall. He often stands outside the wings over some of his hurdles and clears them spectacularly, but he put in a messy jump in the back straight at Kempton when winning the Christmas Hurdle and he blundered massively at the last in the Unibet Hurdle in January. The ridiculous pace set by King Of Kingsfield and Brighterdaysahead forced the mistake from Constitution Hill because of the intensity, as well as State Man who fell at the last when drawing clear but looked tired when trying to land. The prediction is that the pace should be quick given the quality on show but that this horse will bounce back to his best and that the mistake has been ironed out. It is also forgivable because this is jumps racing and it is the nature of the sport. Lossiemouth could finish 2nd to
Constitution Hill for a second time after what was a routine win for her in the end in the Mares’ Hurdle. She fell in February when losing to State Man but much like the Constitution Hill fall, the pace that day was very quick and the decreased intensity in the Mares’ suited her much better. Wodhooh has built an incredibly impressive winning streak of six wins, with a win in the Martin Pipe last time out. If the other two don’t fire she should be able to pick up the pieces but it is difficult to pick against the big two.

Aintree Grand National 2025 Early Thoughts

STUMPTOWN

FOUR of the last six winners have won at the Cheltenham Festival before running at Aintree, with Tiger Roll winning the Cross Country before both of his victories in 2018 and 2019. Stumptown is coming off the back of a victory in that race and just meets positive age trends being an eight year old, while more winners tend to be nine or ten. A win here would be his fifth win in a row going back to May and he has developed into a really efficient, tough chaser who travels very late into a race. This was evident in his victory over the cross country course at Cheltenham in December, before carrying top weight to victory over the same course at the Cheltenham Festival last month. He makes his National debut which is a positive trend. A massive 13 of the last 15 winners have won on their first national run. He runs for Gavin Cromwell who has hit a nice bit of form lately. During the Cheltenham Festival he recorded two winners, but it could easily have been three with Sixandahalf pipped on the line in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and plenty of places in the week too. He was only 2nd to Willie Mullins who boasted a ridiculous ten winners and will likely saddle plenty in this race. The travelling ability and jumping accuracy of Stumptown could be a difference maker here though and he gets first pick and also has a fair amount of support with his price going from 14/1 to around 10/1 since Cheltenham.

PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS

ANOTHER Gavin Cromwell runner, Perceval Legallois, has won on his previous two runs and consistently performs well in big fields, with those wins coming in fields of 25 plus runners which can be crucial here. He finished ahead of a promising looking runner Nick Rockett for Willie Mullins last time and the weights even more in favour of Perceval Legallois this time round. Mark Walsh was quick to sing the horse’s praises after the earlier of his two recent victories in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December, saying the horse got him out of trouble. It feels like after competing at listed and grade 3 level for a while, this horse has developed some good form so might just be ready for a race of this magnitude. He could run a personal best to make the frame here and it feels unlikely that a J P McManus horse won’t feature in the business end. This horse could be the owner’s best chance, with last year’s winner
I Am Maximus yet to show his best form this season and lumbered with top weight. multiple Grand National winning jockey Derek Fox is set to miss the National through injury this season but has been quoted by the Racing Post recently saying this is the horse he would pick to ride from the whole field. He also heaped praise on Mark Walsh who is likely to take the ride.

HYLAND

Hyland has squeezed into the field at the bottom of the weights thanks to recent withdrawals. Nicky Henderson’s grey gave the Cheltenham Festival a miss and would have been my pick for the Ultima. With hindsight he may have just come up short against an athletic Myretown that day, but his late inclusion knocks Nick Rockett down a place to slot him in at 3rd in the verdict. Good ground, a low weight and staying ability are in his favour over this long 4-mile 2^1/2 furlong trip and he ran well in a big field when 2nd of 13 runners last time out at Kempton. His downfall that day was probably having to carry top weight which won’t be a concern here under a very generous 10 stone 6lbs. He started the season as a novice, but he ran regularly through the summer last year and has developed into a consistent staying handicap chaser. The competitive handicap he placed in last time out with a change of tactics only confirmed to me that he wouldn’t be out of place in a Grand National field and the yard sound positive about his chances.

NICK ROCKETT

JUST one of what is likely to be many Willie Mullins runners, Nick Rockett beat the current favourite at the time of writing, Intense Raffles in the grade three Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February. This is strong form considering it came at the course where Intense Raffles won the Irish National last season on his preferred soft ground. He also placed 4th behind Perceval Legallois in December whilst conceding an 8lb advantage to Cromwell’s runner. He appears to be coming into his own at the age of eight, just scraping in at the bottom end of the age trends for the race and a win here would make it a hattrick. Giving Stumptown a 6lb advantage in the weights feels like a tough ask, but this horse makes the top four thanks to recent results, good form in big fields and the yard being in red hot form after dominating the Cheltenham Festival. With seven of his likely to make the field at the time of writing, it is hard to imagine that at least one of Mullins’ runners won’t at least make the places and he is a very big price considering his profile.

Verdict

Aintree Grand National Festival Day 1: My Picks

13:45 – Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – Stage Star

CHELTENHAM-Aintree doubles can be very rare and tend to only be completed by the best in class, such as Buveur D’Air after his first Champion Hurdle, and more recently Shishkin and of course Tiger Roll. Stage Star has had a brilliant season over fences and his superb jumping should see him in with a great chance of doing the double against only four opponents. Joint favourite Banbridge isn’t without a chance and gave Cheltenham a miss last month, but has come up short to top class opposition in his last two starts against the likes of El Fabiolo and Mighty Potter. This horse has the best form in the field after winning the Turners Novices’ Chase last month, where he finished ahead of multiple grade one winners Mighty Potter and Appreciate It.

14:20 – Jewson Anniversary 4yo Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) – Nusret

THIS horse has placed behind top class opposition like Lossiemouth and Blood Destiny during the course of the season but has been saved for Aintree. He will also appreciate the ground if it stays good as his last start showed, where Perseus Way and Scriptwriter both finished in behind him at Kempton. It is worth noting that the favourite, Zenta has a good chance and placed behind Lossiemouth at Cheltenham last month. It was a much closer affair than when Nusret finished 16 lengths behind the star mare on Boxing Day. The reason Nusret gets the pick is because Zenta is coming off the back of a tough contest at Cheltenham, Nusret picking up a win in his most recent outing and some similarities to O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies. He is Joseph O’Brien’s most successful Aintree runner, a dual grade one winner at Aintree who could also perform on good going. He also often placed behind top class horses and last season skipped Cheltenham before winning the Marsh Chase.

14:55 – Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase (Grade 1) – Ahoy Senor

FESTIVAL form can be at a premium at the Grand National meeting and this horse could make it three wins in three seasons here. Despite the classy Bravemansgame finishing behind this horse on both occasions, the withdrawal of Paul Nicholls’ Gold Cup runner-up will only improve the chances of this horse. He often runs enthusiastically out front on the good ground at Aintree at this time of year and his trainer Lucinda Russell as descried him as a “spring-time horse”. She has remained positive after this horse suffered a fall in the later stages of the gold cup last month, but based on his previous results from the last two years he will take some beating. His powerful travelling ability should be able to cause A Plus Tard, Shishkin and Conflated problems, provided his jumping has improved as it did here last season.

16:05 – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (National Course) – Winged Leader

THERE will be an element of unfinished business with this pick for anyone who backed this horse at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. He travelled powerfully once in front, displaying excellent jumping and, for a hunters’ chaser, great agility. The one thing the performance was missing was restraint and a brilliantly judged late surge by Billaway under Patrick Mullins saw the race slip from his grasp in the final strides up the hill. This horse is a perfect three from three this season in point-to-points and steps down in trip to two-miles-five-furlongs here. If he displays the same relentless late gallop here, with a flatter course and the shorter distance, he will be hard to stop.

17:15 – Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) – Seeyouinmydreams

THIS horse really caught the eye at a bumper at Newbury six weeks ago. The run followed a wind op and provided similar conditions to what is expected here. She looked like pure class and although it is difficult to put into context due to many runners on that occasion being lightly raced bumper horses, the nature of the victory was very promising. She set a strong pace, stretched the field putting in all the hard work herself and cruised late on, all whilst on the bridle and extended the lead to a winning margin of 11 lengths. The eye test says this is a very worthy favourite and could be the pick of the bunch.

Aintree Grand National Festival: Grand National Day 3 Tips

14:25 – Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Walking On Air

This horse was last seen winning a novices’ hurdle at Newbury, pulling away emphatically and was a similar path Nicky Henderson’s star two miler, Shishkin, took in 2020. This horse however, gave Cheltenham a miss so goes into this race fresh and will get good ground which can only benefit his speed. He will face tough competition from multiple graded winners with more form to reference. Nicky Henderson said he missed Cheltenham because he wasn’t ready and is a “big baby” but he could be anything. This horse is fresh and appeared to have excellent finishing speed last time out and could be a lightly raced, quality horse.

15:00 – Poundland Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – Edwardstone

Edwardstone is the reigning Arkle winner and has been the star novice two miler this season. Currently on an unbeaten run of five wins, with four at graded level, this horse has shown exceptional consistency all season. His trainer Alan King has said he has no concerns ahead of the race after giving the horse a two month break after Christmas. He already holds form where he finished ahead of For Pleasure and Third Time Lucki who run here. The most threatening rival here is Gentleman De Mee but he doesn’t have the leading form claims of Alan King’s stable star. This is a great chance for him to complete a rare Cheltenham-Aintree double.

15:35 – JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) – Thyme Hill

Thyme Hill won last year’s renewal of this race and comes into this race as a very respectable runner-up of the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. With the likes of Clan Des Obeaux, Ahoy Senor and Fakir D’oudairies all claiming victory so far at the festival, course and festival form is at a premium. If Flooring Porter turns up at his best the reigning Stayers’ Hurdle champion will take some beating, but he can be quirky and Thyme Hill only has about 3 lengths to make up based on the Cheltenham form. He also has form ahead of many of the runners here, from last year’s renewal of this race and the Stayers’ at Cheltenham.

16:15 – Betway Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – Killer Kane

This horse has made five starts this season but has won both starts since the application of a tongue-tie in February. He was last seen achieving a career best by winning a listed success at Sandown last month. He comes into the race carrying the 2^nd lowest weight in the race and the jumping test at Aintree will suit this horse if his last run was anything to go by. He faces tough opposition in winner at grade one level Shan Blue, but he will be carrying 1 stone 3lbs more than Colin Tizzard’s runner and is winless since Boxing Day last year. Shan Blue has been competing at a higher level than this horse, but this horse showed a lot of promise at Sandown. He also has a win over the three mile trip which makes this horse less of an unknown quantity.

Randox Health Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Longhouse Poet

This horse made a good impression when winning an ungraded event at Gowran Park in January. Escaria Ten, Death Duty, Coko Beach, Brahma Bull and Class Conti all finished in behind and all run here. His best results have come over long distances, having run twice over trips that were three miles one furlong and he won both. He will carry 11lbs more than Death Duty here who is a well fancied runner for Gordon Elliott but the winning margin when they last met was over 20 lengths in this horse’s favour whilst 6lbs worse off in the weights. Longhouse Poet also has form ahead of Run Wild Fred, another fancied runner, in a beginners chase in December 2020. Longhouse Poet has had two months off the racecourse and will be relatively fresh. His last run he finished a disappointing 7^th of nine runners in the Boyne Hurdle at Navan. This is a race that Tiger Roll often won in the build up to the Grand National and although he lost, this will have acted as a good prep-run for Martin Brassil’s runner. The return to a longer trip and fences will suit his strengths and he is in with a great chance in the big one.

18:20 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) – Henri The Second

This horse was last seen winning a listed NH flat race at Ascot in December. The race produced two smart winners in Authorised Speed and Top Dog, with many of the others finishing in the places in their following races. Paul Nicholls has kept this horse fresh with a three month lay off. Paul Nicholls told Betfair that he could be his best chance on the day but has stated that if the ground gets too good it could be a worry. Henri The Second has followed the same path this season as Nicholls’ Knappers Hill, who completed the hattrick last season and this horse has a good chance of emulating that success.

Aintree Grand National Festival: Day 2 Tips

13:45 – 20 Years Together, Alder Hey & Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – Cobblers Dream

Moved to Ben Case’s yard for £85,000 and won his first start for new connections in September last year. Cobblers Dream has made six starts over hurdles this season, not once finishing outside the top three and, more recently, won the listed Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton. He then went on to be runner-up in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham and these two results have shown smart speed in the closing stages in fields with lots of runners. The runner-up in the Lanzarote, Highway One O Two, also runs here and there will be a swing of 11lbs in the weights between these two. However, the speed of this horse proved too much for Highway One O Two late on and the subsequent run at Cheltenham showed this horse has good stamina. He should be able to defy the rise in weight and is still 5lbs below his rating thanks to his jockey Jack Andrews.

14:20 – Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Jonbon

This horse comes to Aintree after a distant 2^nd in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle behind the impressive Constitution Hill. This was a high class renewal and it was run at an incredible pace, with the winner looking to be something special. This horse does boast two graded successes so far this season. His trainer Nicky Henderson has said that he has the stamina to go two and a half miles, but ultimately has the speed to stay over two miles here. He also said better ground would suit, but this horse is a classy traveller and he claimed some impressive scalps in the Supreme despite not winning the race. He should be able to shine again in the absence of his talented stablemate.

14:55 – Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – Bravemansgame

Paul Nicholls’ star staying novice gave Cheltenham a miss last month, after some rain saw the going description change to heavy for the Brown Advisory. Having been kept fresh for Aintree, he should be in top shape to face three classy rivals from the division. L’homme Presse ran out the emphatic winner for Venitia Williams at Cheltenham and will run again here. Bravemansgame is undefeated in four runs over fences, including a grade one victory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton in December. There he beat an exciting prospect in the Lucinda Russell trained Ahoy Senor, who runs again here after finishing 2^nd to L’homme Presse at Cheltenham. Paul Nicholls’ runner is an exceptional jumper and travels powerfully and this should see him through in such high company. Nicholls has stated that his runner’s freshness is a bonus here, one that his opponents don’t have after all running at last month’s festival.

15:30 – Marsh Chase (Grade 1) – Funambule Sivola

This horse has impressed this season by winning the grade two Game Spirit Chase at Newbury, before finishing a very credible runner-up in the Champion Chase last month. Despite being more than 8 lengths behind eventual winner Energumene, the remainder of a classy field was well strung out and this horse kept on well to the line. A touch of rain won’t hurt his chances and this horse is a likeable, reliable type. Last season only finished 3^1/2 lengths behind multiple winner at graded level and Nicky Henderson’s star two miler Shishkin. With the absence of both Shishkin and Energumene, this could be an excellent chance for this horse to shine. He faces Fakir D’oudairies who is fresh of the back of a grade one success at Ascot, but he took his time to see off Two For Gold who runs in the Grand National tomorrow. Joseph O’Brien’s charge isn’t without a chance, but this to me would suggest his turn of foot isn’t unbeatable. Funambule Sivola has the Champion Chase form behind him and his fighting spirit in the finish could prove to be a big problem.

16:05 – Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – Killer Clown

Since the application of a tongue tie in January, this horse has notched up two victories in three starts including a handicap at Kempton 19 days ago. He finished well ahead of smart types in Pistol Whipped and a fading Diego Du Charmil. He progressed through the field during the race ticking off opponents one by one which is a useful trait to have in a field with so many runners over the Aintree fences. Despite being 7^th in the weights he will carry nearly a stone less than some of the prominent Irish runners. He also has better form than some of those lower in the weights, thanks to that Kempton success. After that race his trainer, Emma Lavelle stated that good ground is crucial to his chances and there is no rain forecast with the ground currently good-soft.

16:40 – Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Banbridge

Horses that complete the Cheltenham – Aintree double are a rarity, but this horse might be able to do it. He won the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, seeing off winner at listed level Cobblers Dream by a length and a half. He did so while carrying 1lb more than his rival and here he will be on level terms with his rivals, making it a case of who is the best horse. He ran emphatically through the finish line, a positive sign he could step up to three miles with success here. He faces the likes of grade one winner Green Book, who hasn’t reproduced that form in two more recent runs, and one of those was at Cheltenham. Sam Thomas’ Skytastic also looks an exciting prospect, but Banbridge finished ahead of more proven runners than those found in Skytastic’s form.

Aintree Grand National Festival: Day 1 Tips

13:45 – Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – Gin On Lime

The Henry De Bromhead trained Irish raider was last seen in a memorable novices’ chase at Cheltenham in November. Gin On Lime was head to head with winner up to grade one over hurdles, My Drogo, when both effectively fell, clearing the fence but losing their footing on landing. This horse sprawled on landing and Rachael Blackmore sat brilliantly to stay on claiming victory. My Drogo still provided a good standard acid test and this horse was on terms before the incident. Otherwise, this horse has quite a prolific record with five wins from eight starts over fences, including a grade three. In that grade three she reversed form ahead of another winner at graded level, Fan De Blues, and beat the Mullins trained runner by 12 lengths. The absence of undulations at Aintree will lower the chances of another error like we saw at Cheltenham. Opponents include grade two winning Pic D’orhy who has two successes this term. It is arguable that My Drogo’s form over hurdles poses more quality than any horses in Pic D’orhy’s form. War Lord is also an interesting runner, but lacks grade-winning form, with his best effort 16 lengths 2^nd to eventual Arkle winner Edwardstone.

14:20 – Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) – Pied Piper

The Triumph Hurdle third and impressive juvenile Pied Piper is the heavy favourite here. he only finished 2^1/2 lengths behind the eventual winner Vauban, which is impressive in itself. However, he also won his maiden hurdle ahead of the Triumph Hurdle winner and had an impressive display at Cheltenham in January, which showed us that this horse can produce something special. The Triumph Hurdle form will surely prove better than the form Boodles Hurdle winner Brazil holds. This horse also has form ahead one of the more dangerous challengers this field has to offer in Knight Salute, who is a multiple winner at graded level this term.

Each-way mention – Knight Salute

Despite running a disappointing 9^th at Cheltenham, that was the first blemish on the record of this horse in six starts over hurdles. Given the class of the race it is nothing to be ashamed of and as mentioned before this horse has won multiple graded events this term. Available at 16/1 this is extremely generous considering what this horse has achieved. What runs well at Cheltenham doesn’t necessarily repeat at Aintree, due to only a month separating the two and the differing nature of the courses. Considering this horse didn’t perform last month in a tough race, he could put in a good bid for a place here.

14:55 – Betway Bowl Chase (Grade 1) – Royale Pagaille

This year’s Gold Cup 5^th won the grade two Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock in January, but that has been his only success this term. He has ran bravely in defeat, twice behind Gold Cup winning A Plus Tard and he couldn’t reach a vastly improved Eldorado Allen in the Denman Chase in February. Here he will get favoured soft conditions on a flat course with big jumps, perhaps recreating the conditions he often thrives in at Haydock. He will face tough competition in Dan Skelton’s runner and Gold Cup 3^rd Protektorat who could definitely come out on top here. He picked up the grade two Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December where conditions were very soft. However, although a class field, the likes of Native River and Tiger Roll were arguably slightly past their best. Royale Pagaille only finished about a neck behind this horse in the Gold Cup, with conditions that suit Royale Pagaille could have a good chance here.

15:30 – Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) – Epatante

This year’s Champion Hurdle runner-up kept on well behind Honeysuckle last month, only losing by just over 3 lengths. The 2020 Champion Hurdle winner will step up to a trip of 2^1/2 miles for the first time here and has looked to be near her best form this season. She showed class to fight for a dead-heat in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle last November in tough conditions, and claimed the grade one Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Her trainer Nicky Henderson said in the build-up to Cheltenham that she was back to her best and her hurdling has been slick, which showed in the result. The likes of Zanahiyr ,who finished a length 3^rd behind this horse in the Champion Hurdle, and winner up to grade two Brewin’upastorm appear her biggest threats. However, in terms of graded results this horse is probably the most consistent performer in the field and has looked sharp so will take some beating.

16:05 – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase – Latenightpass

Latenightpass came 2^nd in this race last season to shock 66/1 winner Cousin Pascal. He has won this term on heavy ground at Haydock, but was last seen pulled up at Cheltenham. Tom Ellis decided to skip Cheltenham in order to target this race after a season of point-to-point contests which has seen this horse win two and fall when two at in the other at Alnwick. Ellis has been happy with preparation despite that fall and the horse has had a wind op, leaving the horse in prime condition for his main target of the season.

16:40 – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – Frero Banbou

Venitia Williams’ charge finished 3^rd in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month, 6 lengths behind the eventual winner Global Citizen who runs here. Frero Banbou was delivered very late after initially struggling with the early pace. The winner carried 5lbs less than Frero Banbou, but here will be 1lb worse off than this horse and carry 10lbs more than he did in last month’s success. He finished a respectable 4^th in this race last season but reversed form with the winner Editeur Du Gite last month. He is likely to be delivered from off the pace again, with some rain forecast this should be a test of stamina and it is plausible these tactics will work here. Recent form and adjustments in the handicap see this horse in with a decent chance of making a big improvement here for an in form yard.

17:15 – Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) – Lady Excalibur

Rachael Blackmore takes the ride on this small and gutsy mare in her 4^th contest. She boasts two wins, with one at Aintree, and a brave effort at Uttoxeter in October that saw her finishing the quickest with the line coming too soon. She made her way around most of her rivals, having to come very wide and lost by less than a length, an unlucky finish. Her trainer Alan Jones said that the race didn’t suit her staying ability and turned into a sprint at the end but said his mare was unlucky to have lost her unbeaten tag. He is hopeful Blackmore in the saddle will benefit his mare and it would be a feel good success for a stable that only has 12 horses in training.

Grand National Festival Aintree: Day 3 tips

13:45 “ETF SYSTEMS HANDICAP HURDLE” – TEA CLIPPER

A young promising hurdler who is stepping up in trip to three miles for the first time.

Last seen finishing 3rd in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham last month.

Finished 11 lengths behind impressive winner Heaven Help Us, with Janika gaining late and finishing 5th by a neck.

Burbank was a few lengths back in 10th on this occasion.

the weight difference between this horse and Janika remains the same at 3lb in this horse’s favour, but he will carry 4lb more than Burbank than last time.

This is a penalty this horse should survive as Burbank faded in the finish at Cheltenham.

Tea Clipper also avoided a falling horse late on and still finished well, with Janika having a clean run on the outside.

The thinking behind the step up in trip is surely because of this horse’s travelling ability and the flat, fair course will suit.

Market rival Come On Teddy isn’t without a chance on form, but may be a horse that gains an advantage on undulating courses and he won’t get that here.

This horse has strong claims.

14:25 “MERSEY NOVICES’ HURDLE” – DREAL DEAL

Has notched up an impressive six in a row this season, with the last at Punchestown in January the most impressive.

He beat Ganapathi by 3 lengths after a massive leap at the last put him on terms, coming from a long way back to win.

Echoes In Rain was also back in 4th and she is on two wins from two starts since.

The manor of the victory did suggest he needed more distance because of how late he got going.

It was also a great display of stamina as the ground was heavy and he isn’t a horse that is dependant on heavy going.

The trip here is half a mile further and didn’t run at the Cheltenham Festival so should be fresh to go.

15:35 “THE LIVERPOOL HURDLE” – THYME HILL

In the absence of Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter, the rivalry between Thyme Hill and Paisley Park will see a third and deciding clash this season.

In their previous results they have shown to be at the top of the staying division in the UK.

They finished ahead of the likes of multi grade two winning Mcfabulous, former Cheltenham Festival winner Summerville Boy and 2019 Mares’ Hurdle winner Roksana.

Paisley Park finished 3rd in the Stayers’ at Cheltenham, but the Paisley Park of 2019 would have finished the race off so he could be worse for ware.

Paisley did well to come back from a heart condition and snatched the Long Walk Hurdle from Thyme Hill by fine margins in December.

Thyme Hill should be fresher here after over three months lay off and could clinch the Liverpool Hurdle.

EACH WAY MENTION – DIOL KER

Representing the Irish here is Diol Ker, never outside the top three in five starts over hurdles and even beat the mighty Monkfish in November 2019. Has started in fields with ten or more runners eight times. Of those eight races has placed or won in six of them. Returned to hurdling from chasing in December, picking up a win and finishing 2nd in a grade two by^1/2 length to Sams Profile.

Aintree Grand National: My Picks

TOP PICK -MINELLACELEBRATION

Jockey: Benjamin Poste

Trainer: Katy Price

A relative outside shot in terms of the market, but makes my first pick.

The 11 year old is just within the 9-11 year old ideal age for a national winner.

Started the season with a listed victory at Uttoxeter over three miles two furlongs on good ground, a course which is a decent stamina test.

Then picked up a 2nd win in a row, winning at Aintree in a class 2 veterans’ chase.

In behind was Vieux Lion Rouge, who went on to win the Becher Chase at Aintree next time out in impressive fashion.

Also back in 7th was eventual Cheltenham Festival winner Vintage Clouds.

This was run on stamina sapping soft ground but he showed a smart turn of foot and clean jumping.

The reason for the big price are the next three results.

bumped against the rail and unseated the rider next time out at Aintree, when travelling and jumping well in the first half of the race.

Then unseated the rider again at Sandown in January only two jumps in, when a rival horse fell in front of him.

Was last seen finishing 7th of 11 runners in a class two handicap at Kempton in January.

He carried top weight and the race was more of a pure speed test throughout.

considering the weight he carried and the nature of the race not suiting him, he did well.

He has had three months to recover and is carrying a kinder weight of 10st 5lb here.

Aintree will provide the stamina test he needs. There is huge value here and has definitely gone under the radar.

NEXT BEST-CHRIS’S DREAM

Jockey:Darragh O’Keefe

Trainer:Henry De Bromhead

a tough Irish staying chaser who has been competing in class one contests consistently since February 2018.

Did run at the Cheltenham Festival last month but was pulled up in the Ryanair Chase where Allaho dominated.

This run shouldn’t have taken too much out of him as he pulled up relatively early.

He will carry 11st 7lb in the big race.

The weight shouldn’t be an issue as he has carried this weight and higher to victory in competitive, high class handicaps before.

Some of the scalps claimed in these handicaps include listed winner over fences Champagne Classic, Discorama who has placed at multiple Cheltenham Festivals and grade three Cheltenham Festival winner The Conditional.

All while carrying the same weight or more.

With the Irish runners in form and the quality this horse has shown in the past, he could easily be in the picture.

GRAND NATIONAL INFORMATION

The Grand National is a national hunt chase horse race that is 4 miles 2 furlongs in distance and the runners will encounter 30 obstacles along the way.

The Aintree fences are made with a wooden frame inside which is then covered with spruce branches.

The race is considered the ultimate test for horse and jockey and a winner needs excellent stamina and great jumping ability.

No woman has ever won the national and the best finish for a female jockey in the race was in 2012 when Kate Walsh rode Seabass to 3rd place.

This year Bryony Frost (Yala Enki), Rachael Blackmore (Minella Times) and Tabitha Worsley (Sub Lieutenant) will all be aiming to go better.

The average age of a national winner tends to be between 9 and 11 years old, while the last five winners were aged 8 or 9.

The last 12 year old to win was Amberleigh House in 2004.

Of the 14 races ran so far after two days at Aintree, Irish trained horses have won six races but British trained horses have won 8.

The Irish have managed this with far fewer runners.

The Irish National this year saw a 150/1 winner, Freewheelin Dylan on Monday.

There have only ever been five winners of the Grand National that were 100/1 or higher.

Trevor Hemmings and Gigginstown House Stud are each aiming for their 4th success in the race. A win for either would make them the most successful owner in the race’s history with four successes.

Linked below are the rest of my tips for Grand National day

Grand National Festival Aintree: Day 3 tips – Hawkinsport