Aintree Day Four Tips, Analysis and Selections
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This expanded guide complements the original Aintree Day Four tips and race-by-race notes already on the page. Read on for deeper form context, staking guidance and ways to compare bookmaker offers responsibly.
How to use these Aintree tips and bookmaker offers
Treat the selections as informed viewpoints, not guarantees, and use them to inform your own judgement when comparing markets. All readers must be 18+ and bet responsibly; consider backing tips for fun and within a pre-set budget.
Only four winners yielded from the last two days of the Festival, but with one more day to go I feel as though we can find a winner or two with plenty of value to end on a high. Plus, the nation stops at 4:00 for the big one. The Grand National, for which I’ve written dedicated tips just for the race, check it out by clicking here. This article is for the rest of the action.
NAP: Maghull Novices’ Chase (GRADE ONE) – Found A Fifty @ 15/8 (General)
Found A Fifty has found it tough since Christmas. A narrow defeat to Il Etait Temps, who won on Thursday, and well beaten by Gaelic Warrior in the Arkle. His second was dominant, beating Il Etait Temps by four and three quarters of a length. Without Gaelic Warrior, he’s the one to beat and Aintree may be a course that suits him slightly better.
Djelo made it a British 1-2-3 in the Turners’ at Cheltenham, getting the better of Zanhiyr up the run-in. He was eight lengths down to the winning pair, which makes the drop back to two miles make sense. Venetia Williams isn’t in the best of form, but Djelo is never far from hitting the frame. Each-way claims at 14/1 (William Hill).
E/W Bet: Liverpool Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – Strong Leader @ 7/1 (General)
It was worth a second look, but I forgot that Strong Leader ran a good race in the Cleeve Hurdle. The form isn’t strong, but Strong Leader looked as though he had a future ahead of him. He finished second in the Top Novices’ Hurdle last year splitting Inthepocket and Lucccia and clearly has a liking for Aintree. He won as a novice last season here, then finished second in a Grade One. Horses for courses as they say.
Handicap Best: William Hill Handicap Chase (Premier) – The King Of Ryhope @ 4/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports)
The King Of Ryhope has been in my tracker all season and something says he’s been building up to a handicap like this. He missed Cheltenham and on the evidence of his Ascot run, he’ll get the trip. Had he not hit the last, he could have finished a lot closer than three lengths. He looks well-handicapped as a Dan Skelton horse should when in races like these. If he stays the trip, he could feature in a future National?
Falco Blitz also took the eye for the Irish. His last two runs have been won by a combined 13 and a half lengths, in handicaps. He’s been raised 11lbs for this major test, but he’s no stranger to the big stage after being with Nicky Henderson until 2022. He’s well worth a watch, and the ground won’t be a problem. 18/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports).
Selections:
13:20 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier) – Johnnywho @ 8/1 (General), Lord Snootie e/w @ 16/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports), Johnson’s Blue e/w @ 28/1 (BetVictor, Betfred)
13:55 – Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – Brighterdaysahead @ 5/4 (Boylesports)
14:30 – William Hill Handicap Chase (Premier) – THE KING OF RYHOPE (HB) @ 4/1 (William Hill, BetVictor, Boylesports), Falco Blitz e/w @ 18/1 (BetVictor, Betfred, Boylesports)
15:05 – Liverpool Hurdle (GRADE ONE) – Flooring Porter @ 7/2 (General), STRONG LEADER E/W @ 7/1 (General)
16:00 – THE GRAND NATIONAL
17:00 – Maghull Novices’ Chase (GRADE ONE) – FOUND A FIFTY (NAP) @ 15/8 (General), Djelo e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill)
17:35 – Weatherbys Standard NHF (Grade Two) – Ma Shantou @ 15/2 (William Hill), Good And Clever e/w @ 11/1 (William Hill, BetUK), Horaces Pearl e/w @ 16/1 (General)
The very best of luck!
Maghull Novices’ Chase detailed form analysis
Found A Fifty appeals as a NAP because his recent second to Il Etait Temps reads well against Cheltenham form that stayed strong. Aintree’s sharper finish can suit a horse that handles pressure and picks up late, so consider how the pace maps.
Djelo’s Cheltenham effort shows he handles class drops and a return to two miles could see him improve markedly. Look closely at each-way terms and jockey bookings before committing, and weigh in-season progression when setting stakes.
Liverpool Hurdle: stamina, course and betting notes
Flooring Porter has shown top-level form over staying trips and will be hard to ignore if the ground stays testing. Strong Leader is an interesting each-way option; evaluate ground, draw and likely pace to judge whether he can track or close effectively.
When weighing up staying hurdles, factor in how horses have finished their most recent races rather than only raw finishing position. A consistent late kick or proven course record often matters more than a single flattering run.
Premier Handicap Chase strategies and runner focus
The King Of Ryhope carries a progressive profile from Dan Skelton and looks well-handicapped for this sort of race if he can avoid mistakes over the larger obstacles. His Ascot run suggested he stays and has tactical pace for Aintree fences.
Falco Blitz is now handicapped higher but the trainer change history and rapid improvement in Irish handicaps means it cannot be ignored. Monitor final declarations and any ground or wind changes that might influence his chance.
Selections explained: why each pick made the list
Selections combine form, trainer and jockey trends, track suitability and recent performance trajectory rather than single metrics. Each choice is aimed at offering a blend of value and credibility across Grade One and competitive handicap races.
Use this list as a starting point and cross-check markets, live odds and non-runner declarations before placing any stakes. All readers should remain mindful that outcomes are uncertain and to bet only within means.
How to compare bookmaker prices and free bet offers
Compare odds across several firms for the same market to identify value swings and use comparison tools to spot where free bets or enhanced terms change the effective value. Pay close attention to minimum stake rules, wagering requirements and withdrawal restrictions for promotions.
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Responsible betting: staking and loss management tips
Adopt a fixed staking plan or percentage-based approach that suits your bank; never stake more than you can afford to lose. Set limits, take breaks and use bookmaker tools such as deposit limits, reality checks and self-exclusion if needed.
If gambling is causing harm or stress, seek help and support through UK services such as GamCare or your local advisory services. Remember, betting should be entertainment for those aged 18+ only.
Understanding form: trainer, jockey and course trends
Assess recent trainer form and whether a handler targets Aintree specifically; some trainers place to win at this meeting and others use it as a target for second-tier entries. Jockey bookings indicate confidence levels and are worth tracking especially for big-field handicaps.
Course form is important: horses that have shown they handle Aintree’s fences and the undulating finish often outperform seasonal form figures. Check how each horse has coped with soft or good-to-soft ground across the season.
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How should I interpret these Aintree tips today?
Use the tips as informed guidance rather than certain outcomes and check live markets before placing a bet. Always confirm non-runners and market moves and remember to stake within your budget.
Are these selections suitable for small stakes only?
They suit bettors of all sizes; adjust your stake proportionally to your bankroll and risk tolerance. No selection is a guaranteed winner and to be 18+ is required to bet.
Do affiliate links affect the bookmaker odds shown?
Affiliate links on this site do not change the odds offered by bookmakers, they simply connect readers to partner sites. We aim to present neutral comparisons so you can choose the best available market responsibly.
What is the recommended approach to staking on festivals?
Festival staking should be conservative — consider unit-based staking to manage exposure across multiple races. Avoid increasing stakes to chase losses and use bookmaker limit tools if needed.
How do I assess a horse’s chance from past course form?
Look for previous runs at Aintree or similar tracks, examine finishing positions and the manner of those finishes to judge suitability. Note trainer/jockey combinations that perform well on the course.
Are there age limits or rules for betting customers?
Yes — you must be 18 or over to place bets in Great Britain and to use bookmaker websites. Bookmakers have legal responsibilities to check age and
