Day 1 of Aintree’s Grand National Festival takes place on Thursday 9 April with a real feast of top quality races. With four Grade 1 races, two competitive handicaps and a bumper, it’s set to be a spectacular day’s action on Merseyside.
Our in-house tipster Steve Chambers has delved through the form guides and picked out his Aintree Grand National Festival Day 1 tips here.
Aintree Racing Tips (Thursday 9 April)
Aintree kicks off at 1.45pm on Thursday, with the racing going right through until 5.15pm. Here are our best bets for day one of the star-studded meeting.
1.45 Aintree – Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle – Winston Junior (1pt win – 5/1)
Second in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival, Winston Junior can go one better on Thursday in the Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle. Given plenty to do in that Cheltenham handicap contest, he stayed on eye-catchingly well, but failed to reel in Saratoga. He showed prior to his festival run that he’s a class act when cruising to victory at Ascot. He faces plenty of horses here that ran big races in the Triumph Hurdle. However, Winston Junior could be one with more potential than Selma De Vary, Minella Study and Maestro Conti. If he can remain closer to the pace then he could well pull clear in the closing stages.
3.30 Aintree – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase – Its On The Line (1pt win – 9/2)
Barton Snow denied Its On the Line in the Hunter Chase at Cheltenham last month, and the pair will do battle in the Aintree Foxhunters at 3.30pm. The former cruised to the lead that day, but only just prevailed having shown his quirks up the run-in. Undeniably, the best hunter in training on that form he’s a warm order for this contest, but Its On The Line can reverse the form. The hugely consistent nine-year-old won this race in 2024, so has shown he can deal the unique fences. A real model of consistency, the JP McManus-owned star can shine bright again. The pair should fight it out at the finish, but the idiosyncratic final furlong towards the elbow could hinder Barton Snow, and he may just come unstuck.
4.05 Aintree – William Hill Aintree Hurdle – The New Lion (1pt win – 2/1)
No match for Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle, Brighterdaysahead, who finished second that day, and The New Lion, who finished third, will look to claim Grade 1 glory in the Aintree Hurdle at 4.05pm. The pair will also do battle with Alexei, who ran a stormer in behind that day, and the three are well fancied here. Dan Skelton’s The New Lion makes most appeal as he has shown he could potentially improve for the step up in trip having won the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham over 2m 5f. Outpaced at the business end of the Champion Hurdle, this requires a bit more stamina and he can duly outbattle Brighterdaysahead in the closing stages to land the prize.
4.40 Aintree – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase – Jasko Des Dames (1pt win – 14/1)
Henry De Bromhead’s Jasko Des Dames finished a fine fifth in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month. Having been sent to win the race two from home, he just faltered up the hill. However, a return to a flatter track and a potential more patient ride here could see him sparkle in the Red Rum at 4.40pm. Sans Bruit is sure to take them along at a good pace, as he bids for a hat-trick, but that could set the race up for the Irish challenger. Sure to look to stalk that runner into the straight, De Bromhead’s charge can kick to the front after the last and off a 1lb lower mark than his Cheltenham run then looks attractive off a mark of 135 in this penultimate race.
Aintree Grand National Festival Day 1, Thursday 9 April
1.45 Aintree – Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle – Winston Junior (1pt win – 5/1)
3.30 Aintree – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase – Its On The Line (1pt win – 9/2)
4.05 Aintree – William Hill Aintree Hurdle – The New Lion (1pt win – 2/1)
4.40 Aintree – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase – Jasko Des Dames (1pt win – 14/1)
Aintree Grand National Festival Day 1, Thursday 9 April
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Aintree – first race 13:45
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s Aintree Grand National Festival Day 1 tips?
Steve Chambers provides the Aintree Grand National Festival Day 1 tips, which takes place on Thursday 9th April
When were Aintree Grand National Festival Day 1 tips published?
The Aintree Grand National Festival Day 1 tips were published at 11.35am on Wednesday 8th April.
Who is Steve Chambers?
Who is Steve Chambers? Steve Chambers is the editor and regular tipster and writer for GG. He has over 10 years experience in the industry and has a wealth of knowledge on all things racing.
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