Aintree Day Two Tips and Race Analysis Guide
Detailed Race-by-Race Analysis And Betting Notes
This guide expands on our Aintree day two previews with extra form context, market strategy and going analysis for the highlighted selections. Please note this content is for readers aged 18+ and is informational; gamble responsibly and only with what you can afford to lose.
1:45 Mildmay Novices’ Chase Form Summary
The Mildmay Novices’ Chase is highly competitive and race shape can change quickly with late entries and market moves. Consider recent hurdle-to-chase form, recovery runs and whether the horse has previously handled Aintree fences before backing any selection.
Betting Angles And Each-Way Thoughts For Giovinco
Giovinco’s chase form this season gives an each-way profile that appeals at the quoted price, with course and distance form strengthening the case. If the market shows support for Inothewayurthinkin, that will change the dynamic, so size your stake relative to market confidence rather than stake more simply because odds look generous.
2:20 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle Key Observations
This Mersey heat often exposes young improvers and recent Grade 1 form will be closely assessed by the market on the day. Connections, weight and how the horse finishes off strongly over the last two furlongs at Aintree are crucial traits to prioritise.
Form Patterns And Trainer Notes To Consider
Look for horses that have shown stamina and toughness in big-field novice hurdles, and note trainers who target Aintree successfully at this meeting. Jockey bookings and small breathing or wind-operation reports can be the deciding marginal gain in a competitive renewal.
4:05 Topham Handicap Chase Selection Notes
The Topham at Aintree is won by stayers who can manage the unique Grand National-style fences and cope with soft ground if the going remains cut up. Handicapping hinges on recent runs over the larger obstacles, current mark, and whether a horse is improving or in decline.
Topham Handicap Fences And Course Considerations
Past performance over Grand National-style fences is especially valuable; small margins on heavy or soft going can become decisive in transit and jumping. Frero Banbou’s record over similar fences and easing mark are valid angles, but form around Venetia Williams’ yard should be weighed against recent results.
5:15 Plate And Maiden Options Betting View
The Plate and similar maiden chases can produce market-related surprises as travelling form from Ireland or handicaps over hurdles translates to chasing aptitude. Assess the impact of short turnarounds and claims; a lightweight claimer or a stable in-form can alter a horse’s winning chance materially.
Comparing Bookmakers For Best Odds And Offers Responsibly
Compare prices and terms across bookmakers rather than backing the first price you see; value is found by comparing places, each-way terms and non-runner rules. You can explore current bookmaker offers through our comparison tools if you choose to bet responsibly and within your limits.
Original Day Two Tips And Race Previews
After a shaky start with Grewy Dawning, day one finished strongly with Gerri Colombe and Sans Bruit winning alongside a big-priced place from La Marquise, setting us up for day two at the Aintree Grand National meeting.
Good to get an 8/1 and 7/4 winner for @BestOfBetsUK on the first day of the Grand National meeting 😃
Good EW money from La Marquise at 33/1 and money back on Annamix.
Let’s hope for similar form tomorrow. #GrandNational | #HorseRacing https://t.co/JSNMl4qzbF
— Ash Symonds Journalism (@ASymondsJourno) April 11, 2024
With rain hitting the track before the end of play on Thursday, the ground should be on the soft side and it’ll be interesting to see how much the surface has cut up.
So, let’s dive in.
1:45 Aintree – Giovinco @ 9/1 with William Hill – 1pt EW
The Grade 1 Mildmay Novices’ Chase is one of the most competitive Grade 1s of the whole week as you can make positive and negative points about most of the runners.
However, the one who I can’t get away from is Giovinco at 9/1 for Lucinda Russell and Stephen Mulqueen.
His effort in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase was superb, and I would rate the form of finishing behind Fact To File and Monty’s Star among the best pieces of form in this race.
If you can ignore the pulled-up effort in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase – which was on good ground and 18 days after a big run at Sandown – his season looks very solid on paper.
Easy for Giovinco!
He isn't foot perfect at his fences but has plenty of ability and wins at a canter for @MulqueenStephen and @lucindavrussell at @NewcastleRaces… pic.twitter.com/0RvYLx4YJE
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 15, 2024
He’s also got course and distance form and connections gave him a 51-day break between Boxing Day and his facile success at Newcastle on heavy ground in a match race over an inadequate trip.
Inothewayurthinkin could see plenty of money for him at the off and therefore show his superiority, but Giovinco is a solid each-way angle.
2:20 Aintree – Kateira @ 11/2 with William Hill & Jango Baie @ 10/1 with William Hill (6 places) – 1pt EW for both
Regular watchers of the Only Fools Love Horses YouTube channel might have seen that Masaccio was a big fancy of mine for this race at the entry stage.
However, Alan King didn’t declare him for this, so both Kateria and Jango Baie are his replacements.
The market has found Kateria, who was highlighted as a good handicap chance by Dan Skelton earlier this week, and she will come on for her staying-on fourth at Kempton last time out.
Having finished second in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree last season, a race that has worked out well thanks to Irish Point, Hermes Allen, Crambo, and Letsbeclearaboutit, a mark of 136 looks lenient.
👏 If the 2023 Randox Grand National Festival is his swansong, lovely to see @_Davy_Russel_ record another G1 success & that famous celebration @AintreeRaces pic.twitter.com/74mtekhTwb
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 14, 2023
As for Jango Baie, he is a proven Grade 1 horse in this field but doesn’t have to carry top weight.
Reading into his form, the second from the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle, Favour And Fortune, ran well to finish sixth in the Supreme and even Making Headway, a 15-length fourth, won a nice maiden hurdle at Newbury before finishing fourth in the Imperial Cup.
A big boost for @sevenbarrows! 💪
Jango Baie races away to win the William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle!#ITVRacing | @AintreeRaces | @james_bowen pic.twitter.com/PisvBYus1p
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) December 26, 2023
On debut, he looked like a proper animal to beat Tellherthename at Ascot over two miles and running into both Personal Ambition and Handstands while giving weight away is no mean feat.
4:05 Aintree – Frero Banbou @ 14/1 with William Hill – 1pt EW
This weekend’s Topham Handicap Chase sees Frero Banbou running off his lowest mark for three years, and he is a horse who has run well over the Grand National fences before.
The nine-year-old last tasted success in January 2021 which, admittedly, is a long time ago, but that was off a mark of 134 and he looked stylish that day on heavy ground, so conditions shouldn’t cause any issues.
Fast-forward to November 2023 and he finished a good third in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase off 133 and Nassalam was behind him in fourth who has since won a Welsh Grand National while simultaneously improving 19lbs.
Gesskille holds them all at bay to win the Boylesports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase
The @Timeform star of the day shone the brightest#ITVRacing | @AintreeRaces pic.twitter.com/FINzL3FeJd
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 11, 2023
Furthermore, Fantastic Lady, a horse who has been backed over the last few hours for the Topham, was back in fifth.
He then ran off a mark of 140 (when four pounds out of the handicap) at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day in a race that Shakem Up’Arry won; Ben Pauling’s 10-year-old has won the Plate since which means Frero Banbou gets an 18lb swing with Shakem Up’Arry who is the 13/2 second-favourite.
The Venetia William stable form would be a cause for concern, but she had a winner yesterday and the ground won’t cause any issues.
5:15 Aintree – Maidenstreetprince @ 5/1 with Bet365 – 1pt Win
Charles Byrnes doesn’t waste too many darts when he comes over to the UK, so with the form Maidenstreetprince has in the book, he is worth a long second look.
The seven-year-old had plenty of time off the track between his third to Gaelic Warrior at Clonmel in January 2023 and his return at Galway in October 2023, but he showed great promise at Cork on his last start.
He travelled very well through the race and looked to challenge Sir Gerhard, a 155-rated former Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner, before falling at the second last.
Back in trip. Back in business 👀
Three-time Grade One scorer Sir Gerhard cuts loose in the @BarOneRacing Hurdle @corkracecourse 🔴⚪️🔵@CPStudOfficial | @WillieMullinsNH pic.twitter.com/xtNnRVofKU
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 31, 2024
Furthermore, the form of his Limerick maiden hurdle in December 2022 is superb as Sa Fureur, rated 143 over fences, finished fourth in the Grand Annual, Aime Desjy will contest tomorrow’s Topham Handicap Chase off 141 after a facile beginners chase success in March, and Shanbally Kid finished a good third in the Coral Cup which received a form boost yesterday thanks to Langer Dan’s third in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle.
So, off a mark of 128 with Phillip Byrnes’ three-pound claim, he looks well-handicapped for a big run. The worry would be the 12-day turnaround, but one would suggest connections wouldn’t come here unless he was sound at home.
How To Use Bookmaker Offers And Odds Responsibly
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If you are unsure which bookmaker offers the best terms for a specific market, compare their each-way terms and place coverage before committing. Remember that odds can move quickly before off and that early markets often misrepresent a horse’s real chance.
You can explore current bookmaker offers through our comparison tools if you choose to bet responsibly: BestOfBets Free Bets.
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Frequently Asked Questions On Aintree Tips And Bets
What should I check before placing a bet at Aintree?
Check the official going report, any late withdrawals, jockey bookings and recent form over similar fences. Factor in trainer notes and watch the market for confident-backed runners rather than following impulse bets.
How important is the going at Aintree for my selections?
Going is often decisive; horses who have shown they handle heavy or soft ground hold a clear advantage if the surface is cut up. Always consider how a horse performs on similar ground rather than relying on overall form alone.
Are each-way bets sensible in large Aintree handicaps?
Each-way bets can be sensible when bookmakers offer extended place terms, especially in big fields with clear pace maps. Size your each-way stakes according to the market and avoid overbetting when value is marginal.
How should I manage stakes across multiple races at a meeting?
Use a staking plan consistent with your bankroll and avoid chasing losses after a losing selection. Spread risk across managed stakes and prioritise value over volume to protect your gambling funds.
Can I rely on Irish form when betting in UK Aintree races?
Irish form often translates well to UK tracks, particularly when the horse has performed on similar ground or fences. Evaluate the distance, class and how the horse finished in previous runs rather than using nationality as the sole guide.
What are useful signals from the betting market before race off?
Significant money late in the market can indicate confidence from informed connections or syndicates, while static prices may suggest balanced views. Use market moves as one of several signals and avoid making decisions based on market noise alone.
Where can I compare bookmaker terms for the meeting?
Use bookmaker comparison resources to check best odds, enhanced each-way terms and free bet promotions before placing a wager. Compare responsibly and ensure you meet eligibility and wagering requirements.
Who should I contact if I have a gambling problem?
If gambling is causing harm, please seek help from a licensed support organisation such as GamCare or Gamblers Anonymous and consider self-exclusion tools offered by bookmakers. Gambling should be for entertainment only and only by those aged 18+.
