Aintree Grand National Day Betting Tips and Race by Race Preview
13.20 – William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
A very competitive handicap to kick off Grand National Day but one I think will go to one of the market principles in Act of Authority. The Olly Murphy trained charge comes here after a great run behind Wodhooh in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival 22 days ago. That form showed a sign of being franked on Thursday when the winner there ran Lossiemouth close in the G1 Aintree Hurdle. 7lb claimer Lewis Saunders gets on well with the horse and keeps the ride here and even though it will be the 1st time over the 3m trip, I’m expecting a big run from the horse.
Back Act of Authority 8/1 EW Betfair (6 places)
13.55 – Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Lulamba has to be taken on with all things considered here. Now as short as Evens, I’m happy to look elsewhere after trainer Nicky Henderson first mentioned the 4yo didn’t come out of Cheltenham that well and then rerouted the horse to this race when originally stating the 2m juvenile hurdle on Thursday was the plan.
My selection goes to a horse who bypassed the festival and comes here relatively fresh in Koktail Divin. A mixed bag of form coming into the race, it’s not easy to know the level of ability the horse brings but I’m hoping we find out here. A well-beaten 3rd to Kawaboomga and William Munny in January could suggest he’s just below G1 level but that was over a trip far too short and I’m willing to chance him at the prices and with some uncertainties over the favourite.
Back Koktail Divin 15/2 EW Betvictor (3 places)
14.30 – William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase)
Now Myretown is a NR, this is now a competitive race with chances potentially being made for a few. My fancy has now shot to the top of the market following the favourite coming out and that’s Imperial Saint. Having been kept busy throughout the autumn/winter (6 runs this season) he arrives here fresh, having run in the graded Pendil Novices’ Chase last time out, 42 days ago.
My mount is back into handicap company today, having run well in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham on trials day. His prior start was a winning one at this course, and I think he can add another 1 to his figures today. A theme of today seems to be backing horses stepping up in trip and that’s what this horse is doing as well. His 6 races have been over 2 or 2 ½ miles, so this 3m1f trip will be a test,t but I believe it’s one he will relish.
Back Imperial Saint 13/2 EW Bet365 (5 places)
15.05 – Ivy Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1)
I took Teahupoo on at Cheltenham and I’m willing to do the same today even though he is at a more backable price here. There’s no doubt about it that he is a better horse when there’s give in the ground, and even though they have watered plenty, the sun and wind means it will dry out more than the horse would like.
Chance is given to Kitzbuhel, who still has untapped potential, especially over this distance. Being trained by the master Willie Mullins will make him a popular horse on the day, and I would be amazed if he went off its current price. Willie has only ran him twice this season (December & February) and shown great patience with him being only a 5yo. I would say he clearly likes him, and this meeting has been the target for a while. He steps up a mile in trip, which is an unknow,n but having won on heavy over 2m2 in France, I can’t see the distance being an issue.
Back Kitzbuhel 9/2 EW Betvictor (4 places)
16.00 – Randox Grand National Handicap Chase
For an in-depth read on the National then please read Ciaran’s article HERE, where he goes through what his 1-2-3 will be.
Without going into too much detail on the chances of many horses here, I have decided to talk about 3 horses that I like and are worth EW plays.
I think trainer Gavin Cromwell has a great hand to play in the race, and I have backed 2 of his mounts to try and help him cap a fantastic few weeks (following winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup) by winning the biggest prize. Vanillier is a horse that sat in the ‘unlucky’ camp at Cheltenham, running a stormer having been hampered by the jockey nearly taking the wrong course. He was 2nd in the race 2 years ago and has another great chance this year.
Stablemate Perceval Legallois comes here off the back of 2 wins in competitive handicaps over the winter. He followed up his win over Xmas in the Paddy Power Chase with a win over hurdles at the DRF, and he comes here in great form and his chase mark protected from his last run. Often seen in big field, staying handicap chases, he will love the hustle and bustle of a National.
Last pick goes to Hyland who has been aimed at the race all season and comes here off a good season where he has contested competitive graded and handicap contests. After a mixed Cheltenham and a horrific few weeks for Constitution Hill, is this the horse that gives trainer Nicky Henderson the joy of winning the National for the very first time?
Back Vanillier 14/1 EW William Hill (6 places)
Back Perceval Legallois 12/1 EW Bet365 (6 places)
Back Hyland 20/1 EW Bet365 (6 places)
17.00 – Rosconn Group Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Half the field in this went to post in the Arkle at Cheltenham 3 1/2 weeks ago, and it will be the case of who has come out of that race the best for me. Preference goes to the mare Only By Night, who will be getting 7lb from market rivals. I think the trip will be on the short side for Kalif Du Berlais and I can only see the winner coming from the top 2 in the market. L’eau Du Sud lacks the fight in a finish for me and even though my selection was beat on the line at Cheltenham, I think she has more in her to get her over the line at Aintree.
Back Only By Night 7/4 win only Bet365
17.35 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race
The last race of the festival ends with a bumper and it’s one I don’t have a strong opinion on. 2 in the field that I believe will run well are Mossy Fen Road & Koktail Brut. At the prices, I’m siding with the latter and I hope Gordon Elliott will take home the last race of this festival, just like he did at Cheltenham. Having been slightly disappointing after winning on debut in December, I would be hopeful of a better run here and he shouldn’t be without a chance.
Back Koktail Brut 10/1 EW Skybet (4 place)
Bookies Sign-up Offers for Grand National Day
Bet £20 on the Grand National get 3x £20 Free Bets
✅Best odds Guaranteed
✅NRNB
✅Extra Place Races
Bet £10 get a £30 Free Bet
Bet £25 on the Grand National get a £50 Free Bet
Bet £50 get £50 in Free Bets
7 Places for Each-way Bets in the Grand National
✅Best odds Guaranteed
✅NRNB
✅Existing Customer Offers
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets
Bet £10 on the Grand National get a £10 Free Bet
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets (Promo code TAG30)
Bet £10 get a £10 Free Bet
Relevant news
Predicting the 1-2-3 in the 2025 Grand National
The modern Grand National bears little resemblance to the race of old, but from a…
Aintree Lucky 15 Tip for Grand National Day 2025
Our four betting tips for Grand National day at Aintree start with the 1.55pm race…
Aintree Day 2 Betting Tips & Predictions for Friday 4th April
Aintree's Grand National rolls into day 2 and once again we have Ciaran Murphy to…
Aintree Lucky 15 Tip for Friday 4th April – £1 Lucky 15 Returns £4319
Our lucky 15 tip for day 2 of the Grand National Festival at Aintree covers…
Aintree Lucky 15 Tip for Thursday 3rd April to win upto £231 from a £1 Lucky 15
Our day 1 Aintree lucky 15 tip covers four of the ITV races including the…
Aintree Day 1 Betting Tips for Thursday 3rd April 2025
Our Aintree Grand National betting tips kick off with Thursday's card and the action gets…