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Aintree Festival Day 1 Tips
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CHELTENHAM IS OVER AND AINTREE HAS ARRIVED! The Grand National meeting gets underway from Liverpool on Thursday. All 7 races previewed in detail.
We’ll include key information like how we think the race will be run and who we see emerging as the main danger (or dangers). Profit and loss will be calculated to level stakes (same as our oddschecker bets and like we did at Cheltenham) and posted daily to Twitter.
Manifesto Novices’ Chase – Grade 1 2m4f
Jewson Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle – Grade 1 2m1f
Betway Bowl Chase – Grade 1 3m1f
Betway Aintree Hurdle – Grade 1 2m4f
Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase – Class 2 2m5f
Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase – Grade 3 2m
Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race – Grade 2 2m1f
Manifesto Novices’ Chase 1.45
ADD PIC D’ORHY TO BET365 BET SLIP
Trends
– 10/11 aged 6-8
– 1/11 favourites have won
– 10/11 top 3 in the betting
– 0/11 won on their last run before Aintree
– 7/11 had at least 1 previous run at Aintree
– 10/11 had at least 4 runs that season
Aintree 1.45 Pic D’Orhy (best price 7/2)
Likeable sort who has won 3 of his 5 starts over fences this season; showed a great attitude to prevail by a length at Kempton when last seen in February; kept fresh since and looks sure to run a big race again.
This looks like a wide open Manifesto Chase with plenty of these in with a chance. PIC D’ORHY does get the vote though as he is rated the best in here. He was beaten by the classy L’Homme Presse before winning the Pendil Chase at Kempton. He beat Millers Bank going away that day giving him 5lb so it is a run worth marking up. The track and conditions should suit and he is the one to beat.
War Lord is the main danger if proving himself over this trip after a few good runs behind Edwardstone this season including in the Arkle last time out. Gin On Lime could still have plenty to come and Erne River has to be respected going for 5 wins in-a-row.
Jewson Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle 2.20
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Trends
– 4/11 favourites have won
– 7/11 top 3 in the betting
– 5/11 won on their last run
– 9/11 at least 3 runs over hurdles
– 8/11 rated 144 or higher
– 9/11 at least 2 wins that season
Aintree 2.20 Pied Piper (best price 11/10) NAP
Made a winning start over hurdles beating Vauban at Punchestown before running out a very impressive winner at Cheltenham in January; excellent third to Vauban in the Triumph; hard to beat on form.
Despite being beaten into third in the Triumph last month PIED PIPER still retains plenty of potential and I think he can resume his progress here. He was beaten less than 3 lengths behind Vauban and Fil Dor and that isn’t form to pick holes in. He still remains open to further improvement over hurdles after just 3 starts and should prove a cut above these. This flat track should play to his strengths given how strongly he travels and he is hard to look past.
Brazil was a gutsy winner of the Boodles and looks most likely to emerge as the danger. Petit Tonnerre is unbeaten having won both starts over hurdles in France and then winning at Market Rasen last time. This is a great deal tougher though.
Bet365 ITV Racing 4/1 Offer is perfect for backing something each in this like Petit Tonnerre
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50) at bet365.
Offer applies to first single bet placed. Applies to Win and Each-Way Fixed Odds markets and Enhanced Place Terms markets only. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply. New and eligible customers only.
Betway Bowl Chase 2.55
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Trends
– 9/11 aged between 8 and 10
– 5/11 were favourites
– 9/11 top 3 in the betting
– 6/11 ran in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham
– 7/11 at least 1 previous run at Aintree
– 11/11 at least 3 runs that season
Aintree 2.55 Clan Des Obeaux (best price 5/1)
Top-class chaser who routed them by 26 lengths in this last year; good second in the King George but not at his best when third at Newbury; first-time blinkers could see him bounce back; could be a danger to all.
The way to go for this race is horses that skipped Cheltenham or didn’t have hard races in the Gold Cup. I give CLAN DES OBEAUX the edge as this time last year really saw him in the best light. He was beaten at Newbury before doing the Aintree/Punchestown double. He finished second in the King George but finished tired so could benefit from the less testing conditions. Nicholls will have him primed for this and should go well again here and surprisingly at a price too.
Plenty of beaten Cheltenham horses in the field with Eldorado Allen looking like the main threat in the forecast conditions. Protektorat is the favourite at the time of writing and he is improving all the time but had a hard race in the Gold Cup where he finished third.
Bet365 ITV Racing 4/1 Offer is perfect for backing Clan Des Obeaux
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50) at bet365.
Offer applies to first single bet placed. Applies to Win and Each-Way Fixed Odds markets and Enhanced Place Terms markets only. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply. New and eligible customers only.
Betway Aintree Hurdle 3.30
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Trends
– 10/11 aged between 6 and 8
– 3/11 favourites/joint favourites have won
– 10/11 top 3 in the betting
– 8/11 ran in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham
– 9/11 had at least 10 runs over hurdles
– 10/11 had at least 3 runs that season
Aintree 3.30 Zanahiyr (best price 2/1) NEXT BEST
Tough sort who has done little wrong this season bumping into the likes of Sharjah and Honeysuckle; big run in defeat again when third in the Champion Hurdle and this longer trip promises to suit; big shout.
I know ZANAHIYR is yet to make his mark at Grade 1 level but he has finished runner-up three times at the top level and with this extra yardage likely to suit he could reverse that Champion Hurdle form with Epatante. He digs deep off the bridle and might be staying on strongly when the others have cried enough. Epatante looked back to her best last month and has to be feared but might not be as effective up to this trip.
Brewin’upastorm could only finish fifth in this behind Abacadabras last year and has enough to find despite some fairly consistent form recently. Monmiral is interesting on his course form but he looked poor in the Fighting Fifth and again let supporters down at Fontwell back in February.
Bet365 ITV Racing 4/1 Offer is available on this race
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50) at bet365.
Offer applies to first single bet placed. Applies to Win and Each-Way Fixed Odds markets and Enhanced Place Terms markets only. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply. New and eligible customers only.
Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase 4.05
Trends
– 9/11 aged 10 or older
– 4/11 favourites/ joint favourites have won
– 5/11 top 3 in the betting
– 7/11 at least 1 previous run at Aintree
– 8/11 rated 121 or higher
– 10/11 at least 2 runs that season
Aintree 4.05 Jett (best price 3/1)
Classy sort who won in good style in this code at Kelso back in February; found Shantou Flyer too strong at Fontwell but can jump better than that; looks primed to run a big race in this and worth keeping on side.
As with most of these Hunter Chases it is quite an open renewal. JETT is the favourite at the time of writing and gets my vote here. He got round the Grand National course last year in eighth and will enjoy this trip far more. He has won once and gone close twice this season. His win came on heavy ground but could be even better on a better surface here. On official ratings he is a minimum of 5lb clear of this lot and if he runs his race he will take some beating under the experienced Sam Waley-Cohen.
Cat Tiger is the main danger back in this company after running in some good handicaps lately. Porlock Bay could bounce back to winning form along with last years winner Cousin Pascal. That said they still have a bit to find with the selection and would need to be at their best which isn’t anywhere near a given.
Bet365 ITV Racing 4/1 Offer is perfect for backing the danger Cat Tiger
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50) at bet365.
Offer applies to first single bet placed. Applies to Win and Each-Way Fixed Odds markets and Enhanced Place Terms markets only. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply. New and eligible customers only.
Bet365 are paying 3 extra places on this race, you can now get 6 places.
Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase 4.40
ADD AINTREE VALUE TIP GUNSIGHT RIDGE TO BET365 BET SLIP
Trends
– 8/11 aged between 7 and 9
– 1/11 favourites/ joint favourites have won
– 2/11 top 3 in the betting
– 9/11 weighed between 10st5lb and 11st1lb
– 11/11 had at least 4 previous chase runs
– 9/11 had at least 5 runs that season
Aintree 4.40 Gunsight Ridge (best price 9/1) VALUE TIP
Promising sort who looked a horse going places winning at Sandown back in January; shaped better than the bare result behind Dolos last time; retains potential and could end up relishing this sort of test; lively player.
I can see this test really suiting GUNSIGHT RIDGE and I’ll be surprised if there isn’t still more to come off his current mark. I know he could only finish third at Sandown last time but I thought he shaped much better than the bare result and his win prior to that was very promising. He has been given time since and with this big field and strong pace likely to help him settle I can see him finishing off his race strongly this time. He is a bold jumper and if he gets into a decent rhythm over these fences it could be a sight to behold.
Obviously plenty of dangers which is why we’re getting 9/1. They are likely headed by the favourite Frero Banbou who finished fourth in this last year and has progressed nicely this season beaten just 6 lengths into third at Cheltenham having come from a mile back. At a bigger price if The Last Day can put in a clear round of jumping he also has to be considered.
Bet365 ITV Racing 4/1 Offer is perfect for backing Gunsight Ridge
Back a winner at 4/1 or more and get a risk free bet on the next live ITV race (up to £50) at bet365.
Offer applies to first single bet placed. Applies to Win and Each-Way Fixed Odds markets and Enhanced Place Terms markets only. Bet restrictions and T&Cs apply. New and eligible customers only.
Bet365 are paying an extra place on this race, you can now get 5 places.
Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase
Aintree Thursday 4.40 Gunsight Ridge (best price 9/1) VALUE TIP
Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race 5.15
ADD ROSY REDRUM TO BET365 BET SLIP
Race Live Stream
ITV racing finishes before this race so bet365’s live streaming is great to watch the last race at Aintree on Day 1 of the Grand National meeting.
Stream every race at Aintree here
You will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Geo location and live streaming rules apply.
Trends
– 9/11 aged 4 or 5
– 1/11 favourites have won
– 4/11 top 3 in the betting
– 5/11 won on their last run before
– 0/11 had at least 1 previous run at Aintree
– 8/11 rated 105 or higher
Aintree 5.15 Rosy Redrum (best price 4/1)
Good looking chestnut filly who made a winning start under Rules in a bumper at Wincanton back in January, travelling powerfully throughout; backed that up with a solid run at Newbury; first-time hood can help; sure to go well.
A 20 runner mares bumper isn’t always easy to get a handle on but ROSY REDRUM could be very good. She caught the eye racing against the boys at Newbury in a decent bumper. She came from virtually last to finish a staying on second. She may well have won if not so far back and this race is likely to set up for her to fly home late. They clearly rate her as she was in the Champion Bumper before being pulled out due to the ground and is the one they all have to beat here.
Paul Nicholls really likes Iliade Allen who could go well at a good each way price after two very good bumper runs on his most recent starts. The main danger could well be Kateira for the Skeltons who won really well on debut at Huntingdon. Definitely a race to watch as plenty of future talent likely lining up.
Aintree Festival Day 1 Selections ADD ALL TO BET365 BET SLIP
Manifesto Novices’ Chase 1.45 Pic D’Orhy
Jewson Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle 2.20 Pied Piper NAP
Betway Bowl Chase 2.55 Clan Des Obeaux
Betway Aintree Hurdle 3.30 Zanahiyr NEXT BEST
Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase 4.05 Jett
Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase 4.40 Gunsight Ridge VALUE TIP
Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race 5.15 Rosy Redrum
Aintree Festival Daily Double
The Daily Double consists of both the NAP and NB and is a great way of covering our two best bets of the opening day of the Aintree Grand National Festival to try and maximise profit.
Aintree Festival Day 1 Lucky 15
With some good value on the opening day of the Aintree Festival we have also included a Daily Lucky 15. We recommend backing this each way given the price and we’d only need a couple of winners/ some places to make a decent return.
Aintree Festival Day 1 Lucky 15