Aintree. Not just a celebration of the biggest steeplechase in the world but also a redemption arc for those who were thwarted at Cheltenham. This article focusses on the other six races on Grand National Day, click the link for big race tips here.
Big Race View
The Liverpool Hurdle may take centre stage, but in another Grade One on the day, I’m focussing on the Maghull Novices’ Chase with one of the best performances in the Arkle. Only By Night just came out on top in an incredible four-way battle for the line, and was only denied in the final 100 yards by Jango Baie. But that performance has stuck with me and surely she can go close once more, beating L’eau du Sud. Gavin Cromwell is also in electric form of late and will surely walk away with at least one big prize from today’s racing.
Big Race Bet: Maghull Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Only By Night @ 5/2 (William Hill)
Excellent at Each-way
The Mersey Novice’s Hurdle looks a wide-open contest this year. People will side with Lulamba, but putting a juvenile in this race and stepping him up in trip just three weeks after his targeted run at the Triumph Hurdle seems like too much of a daunting task. Further down the market Koktail Divin seems overpriced for me. He has great form from novice hurdle runs behind Kawaboomga and William Munny and broke his maiden impressively by 10L at Leopardstown and avoided Cheltenham. The trip will suit him no end, as will the ground and should run a big race.
Excellent Each-way bet: Sefton Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – Koktail Divin e/w @ 9/1 (William Hill)
Handy Handicap Guide
Obviously the biggest handicap of the day is the Grand National, and you can click for tips here, but in this article I’d like to focus on the first race of the day, the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. Plenty of Coral Cup runners feature once again in another competitive renewal. The immediately is drawn to Coral Cup third Catch Him Derry. Despite such a good finish, he’s very low in the weights and ticks all the main boxes for winners of this race. Dan Skelton loves to train horses like these and seeks a third win in as many years in this race.
Irish raider Park Of Kings has had his form boosted to no end thanks to runner-up finishes from Wodhooh in a Grade One and Kopek De Mee in a handicap hurdle yesterday. He finished fifth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham but recorded two runner-up finishes at Leopardstown prior. Holds every chance to go near again.
Surprisingly, the ever consistent Double Powerful carries a low weight in this race. He’s on a roll at the moment recording a top three finish in every start since January 2024. He ran a good race behind Aston Martini at Cheltenham and was just beaten by a head at Ascot prior. Will appreciate the step up to three miles and the better ground.
Handy Handicap Bets: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – Catch Him Derry @ 6/1 (General), Park of Kings e/w @ 12/1 (General), Double Powerful e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill)
Selections:
13:20 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier H’cap) – Catch Him Derry @ 6/1 (General), Park of Kings e/w @ 12/1 (General), Double Powerful e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill)
13:55 – Mersey Novice’s Hurdle (Grade One) – KOKTAIL DIVIN E/W @ 9/1 (William Hill), Kappa Jy Pyke e/w @ 16/1 (General)
14:30 – William Hill Freebooter Handicap Chase (Premier H’cap) – Weveallbeencaught e/w @ 11/1 (William Hill), Richmond Lake e/w @ 12/1 (William Hill)
15:05 – Liverpool Hurdle (Grade One) – Teahupoo @ 11/4 (General), The Wallpark e/w @ 11/1 (William Hill)
16:00 – GRAND NATIONAL: CLICK HERE FOR TIPS
17:00 – Maghull Novice’s Chase (Grade One) – Only By Night @ 5/2 (William Hill)
17:35 – Weatherbys National Hunt Flat Race (Grade Two) – Destination Dubai e/w @ 16/1 (William Hill), Edward Sexton e/w @ 40/1 (William Hill)
Best of Luck!
