We’re getting closer to the world’s most famous steeplechase, but before then, we have some Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 2 tips to share.
Yesterday didn’t go well. Jango Baie was frustrating, but Ahoy Senor and Petit Tonnerre are off the backing list, and everything just happened a bit too quickly for Willitgoahead.
My hands are firmly in the air; we’re not in great form currently. We can only hope for change.
Aintree Grand National 2025 Day 2 Tips
Grade 1 Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Chase (1:45, Friday) – Handstands @ 9/4 with William Hill – 1pt Win
In the Mildmay, Handstands ticks plenty of boxes and is fairly priced at 9/4.
He stays the trip, he should go on the surface having won his first run over hurdles on good ground, and he has some nice pieces of form in the book.
Although Jango Baie finished third in the Manifesto, he still ran a cracker on the opening day of the Aintree Grand National Festival meeting and his win in the Arkle is a good form boost.
He has also beaten Resplendent Grey and Lord Of Thunder over fences so far this season, both of whom have gone on to frank the form.
The six-year-old also missed Cheltenham, which means he has the fresh angle against Caldwell Potter and Dancing City, so he gets the vote.
William Hill Handicap Hurdle (2:20, Friday) – Helnwein @ 12/1 with William Hill (5 places) – 1pt EW
Helnwein is returning from a stint over fences in the second race, and there’s plenty of form to suggest he can continue to improve off 127.
He won the Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle at Sandown in April on good ground, beating Be Aware, Steel Ally, Secret Squirrel, Act Of Authority, and Fiercely Proud.
Those horses have improved 13lbs, 13lbs, 7lbs, 10lbs, and 7lbs respectively, though Helnwein is running off just a 6lb higher mark.
He tried fences this season, and while he wasn’t bad, connections have opted to come back over the small obstacles.
Despite this yet, his maiden outing over fences at Warwick when second to Telepathique looks like a nice piece of form as she has improved 32lbs since to a mark of 148, and Helnwein had to give 10lbs away that day.
On his next start, he ran a fine race behind Vincenzo and The Famous Five, both of whom have also improved 12lbs and 5lbs, respectively.
He’s a horse who has form on nicer ground, and this will be his second start after a wind-op.
William Hill Handicap Hurdle (2:20, Friday) – Hansard @ 25/1 with William Hill (5 places) – 0.5pt EW
It’s double trouble in the 2m4f handicap hurdle for the Noel Fehily Syndicate horses as Hansard could be interesting at a nice price.
He’s dropped down to a mark of 141 and Freddie Mitchell claims 5lbs in the saddle, which effectively puts him on a 1lb higher mark than the official rating he was on when winning the Gerry Feilden last season.
He beat Bad (improved 20lbs since), Brentford Hope (improved 8lbs since), and Our Champ (improved 7lbs since), so the form of the race is nice.
His subsequent form with Luccia, Impose Toi, and Altobelli from the Betfair Exchange Trophy in December 2023 also looks very good, and he ran a fine race behind Golden Ace in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle in February.
This new trip is interesting, and the cheekpieces that were put on for the first time in the County Hurdle are retained. The slightly slower nature of this 2m4f contest could help him, and he will appreciate this nicer ground.
Grade 1 Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (4:40, Friday) – Califet En Vol @ 4/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
“We’ve kept Califet En Vol for this,” Nicky Henderson told the Racing Post, and I’m hopeful that he can reward his connections with a win in the Sefton.
If you’re one for trends, he has the correct profile. He’s the right age, he’s won at least twice over hurdles, he missed the Cheltenham Festival, and he’s trained by Nicky Henderson.
His form with The New Lion from Newbury looks very good, and he smashed up As Legends Have It, a nifty horse for Ben Pauling, on his hurdles debut at Kempton.
He needed every yard of the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon in February, so this step-up in trip should suit him, and he’ll relish the nicer ground.
He looks like a solid contender in the Sefton.
Hallgarten And Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle (5:15, Friday) – Celtic Dino @ 7/1 with Betfred (5 places) – 1pt EW
It’s a fairly obvious case, but Celtic Dino should run well in the finale.
He’s making his handicap debut off 132, and with Dylan Johnston’s handy 3lb claim, he looks like a well-handicapped horse who is getting run on good ground again.
He beat the subsequent 130-rated Ma Shantou on hurdles debut before beating Wade Out (rated 128) and Joyeuse (rated 142) at Ascot on good ground in February. He gave 7lbs away to Joyeuse that day, though Nicky Henderson’s mare was making her first start of the season.
The six-year-old by Doctor Dino ran a fine race in the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle on soft ground behind Miami Magic and Potters Charm, though his effort at Kempton in the Grade 2 Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle was slightly below par.
Still, he arrives here on a workable mark on his first handicap start, and the better conditions at Aintree should really suit. He looks to be improving and can land a touch here for Sam Thomas.
Aintree Grand National 2025 Day Two Betting Guide
How to assess the key Aintree races and form
This guide expands on the Day 2 selections above by giving practical pointers on reading form, selecting markets and managing stakes for Aintree races. It complements the race-by-race suggestions while keeping a clear focus on responsible, informational betting for readers aged 18+.
Factors to consider before backing a horse at Aintree
Check recent race distances and the way a horse travelled in its latest runs rather than relying only on finishing positions. Aintree’s fences and undulations can expose stamina and jumping flaws, so prioritise horses that have shown stamina and fluent jumping under pressure.
Reading recent form and interpreting weights and marks
When assessing Helnwein, Hansard or other handicappers, compare the official mark with the quality of the opposition they beat or were beaten by. Look for upward-trending marks among rivals and adjust your view if a horse has been given weight for a recent good effort or carries a useful claimer.
How ground, trip and race tempo influence outcomes
Aintree often rides quicker than some other tracks; horses who prefer nicer ground should be favoured when the going is described as good. Consider whether a race is likely to be run at a strong pace, which can set it up for closers, or at a steady tempo that helps front-runners hang on.
Using trends, trainers and jockeys to find value bets
Trainer patterns and jockey bookings matter at Aintree; trainers who target this meeting will have a clear plan and fitness regime. Nicky Henderson’s decision to keep Califet En Vol for the Sefton is an example of purposeful placement that can give extra confidence.
Practical staking and money management tips
Decide a consistent staking plan before the card begins and avoid increasing stakes after losses. Consider small, fixed stakes for early markets and scale up only if you have clear edge and value across multiple bookmakers, keeping all betting within a pre-set budget.
How to use bookmaker offers and comparison tools
Shop around for the best available odds and place terms, and use comparison tools to find the most competitive places or enhanced offers without chasing odds. You can explore current bookmaker offers through our comparison tools if you choose to bet responsibly and always check the full terms and eligibility.
Responsible gambling guidance and age restrictions
Gambling is for adults only — 18+. Betting should be treated as entertainment, not a way to make money. If you feel betting is becoming a problem, seek help through recognised support services and consider self-exclusion or stake limits.
Race-specific notes to complement the Day 2 tips
For the Mildmay Novices’ Chase, Handstands’ fresh energy and season placement make him of interest, but verify any late non-runner information and final ground description before committing. Fresh horses who miss Cheltenham and come here with a targeting plan often handle the unique Aintree test better than horses that have run hard in the spring festivals.
Market selection: win, each-way and alternative bets
Each-way value is often the best route in competitive handicaps such as the William Hill Handicap Hurdle where Helnwein and Hansard are named. Use place terms, late market moves and exchange prices as guides to where professional money is leaning, but do not assume that movement equals certainty.
When to accept odds and when to wait for more information
Take advantage of strong early odds when they reflect genuine value backed by form facts rather than hype. Conversely, wait on firm declarations and any late rain affecting the going if the horse’s form is ground-dependent.
How weather and going reports should change your approach
Monitor official going updates and consider how ground changes affect each horse’s form line highlighted in the selections above. A drop to soft ground can alter the appeal of horses who prefer better conditions, while a drying track can enhance the chances of recent winners on good ground.
Practical checklist before placing a bet
Confirm race declarations, jockey bookings and any veterinary notes or wind operations that may affect performance. Cross-check the odds across bookmakers and exchanges and set maximum exposure for the day to avoid emotional staking.
Summary and safe-betting reminders for Aintree racegoers
The Day 2 selections provide focused options across distances and grades, but they should be viewed in the context of the full card and your own staking limits. Always bet responsibly, stay within your budget and remember that no tip is a guaranteed outcome.
Explore the current free bet offers and bookmaker comparisons on our free bets page to find competitive terms before you place a wager: https://bestofbets.com/free-bets.
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Frequently asked questions about Aintree Day 2 betting
Do I need to be 18 or older to use bookmaker offers?
Yes, all legal gambling in the UK is for people aged 18 and over only. Bookmakers will require age verification before allowing account registrations or offer claims.
How should I manage stakes across a busy festival day?
Set a clear daily budget and fixed stake size before the meeting starts, and avoid increasing stakes after losses. Treat betting as entertainment and never stake money you cannot afford to lose.
Are each-way bets sensible for Aintree handicaps?
Each-way bets can offer value in large handicaps with extended place terms, but make sure the place terms justify the price and your staking plan allows for possible smaller returns.
What sources should I check for late-breaking information?
Use official racecards, stable declarations, jockey confirmations and bookmaker non-runner updates. Late rain and veterinary notes can change the picture significantly.
How do wind-ops or equipment changes influence form lines?
Wind surgery or new equipment can produce noticeable improvement; note when a horse runs well first-time back after such a change and weigh that when assessing current chances.
Should I always take the favourite at short odds?
No. Always assess value compared with the market and form; short-priced favourites are often justified, but value lies where the price underestimates a horse’s chance relative to rivals.
Where can I find best odds and safer place terms?
Compare multiple bookmakers and exchanges to find the most competitive odds and place terms. Our comparison tools can help you check prices before committing to a bet.
What support is available if gambling causes concern?
If gambling is causing stress or financial strain, seek help from UK support services and consider tools such as deposit limits, reality checks or self-exclusion. Gambling should never be viewed as a solution to financial problems.
