It’s Ladies Day at Aintree today and north of 40,000 punters are expected to filter through the gates to watch the action on the second day of the Grand National Festival. Yesterday, we landed a huge 7/1 winner when Diva Luna won the Nickel Coin Mares NH Flat Race, so let’s hope for more of the same this time around. There are four more Grand One races and three tricky handicaps on Friday’s race card and you can view our latest Grand National betting tips below.
Best Tip #1: Heart Wood – Aintree, 1.45
Heart Wood looked the part when winning at Leopardstown in the Dublin Racing Festival on February 4th when he rode clear in the run-in and the 6-year-old has big possibilities on that form if he can stay for the longer trip.
Representing Henry De Bromhead’s prolific Irish stable, Heart Wood is taken to succeed at the day’s first race at Aintree.
Elsewhere, Inothewayurthinkin has been topping the markets on other Grand National betting sites. He won the Kim Muir at Cheltenham four weeks ago when he defied his mark and his new rating today could put him in position to score again.
Chianti Classico meanwhile, was too strong for his rivals in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month and deserves the utmost respect on his return to action here.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 5/1 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 5/1 |
| Fitzdares | 5/1 |
Best Tip #2: Mystical Power – Aintree, 2.55
The offspring of Galileo and Annie Power, Mystical Power has been turning heads since debuting at Ballinrobe last May and he followed-up his three successive victories with a strong showing to finish second in the Supreme at Cheltenham last month.
Willie Mullins’ talented 5-year-old could return to winning ways ahead of the rest today however, and with headgear retained, Mystical Power has better claims than most.
Firefox finished third in the Supreme behind Mystical Power, though some progression can be expected from Gordon Elliott’s entry. Fergal O’Brien meanwhile, has brought serial winner Dysart Enos to the party today.
The 6-year-old won each of his last five races and the impressive mare, who is unbeaten under rules, could make a real go of things if given an opening today.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 11/8 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 5/4 |
| Fitzdares | 11/8 |
Best Roughie: Shakem Up’arry – Aintree, 4.05
Shakem Up’arry landed the Plate at Cheltenham on March 14th ahead of 20 other chasers and the 10-year-old won at the same track before that in January.
There is a 6lb rise to absorb today, though that doesn’t feel overly significant and a hattrick for the confident jumper could be in the works at the Grand National Festival. Shakem Up’arry has shone in high-class events this year and he could be about to sparkle again.
Competition could arrive in the form of Willie Mullins’ James Du Berlais. The 8-year-old faded to 7th at Cheltenham after a strong start last month, however, Mullins is paired with jockey Paul Townend today and that combination should never be dismissed.
Last year’s winner, Bill Baxter, is a tight price on betting apps, but should be in the mix with cheekpieces on for the first time.
| Bookmaker | Odds |
| Betzone UK | 6/1 |
| Planet Sport Bet | 6/1 |
| Fitzdares | 6/1 |
Stats and Insights
- The day’s first race, the Mildmay Novices Chase, was won by Gerri Colombe last year and nine of the last 11 winners of the renewal have been aged either six or seven. Interestingly, seven of the last 11 winners were either favourites or joint-favourites in the lead-up.
- The Top Novices Hurdle was won by Inthepocket last year for Henry De Bromhead. The 6-year-old was the market favourite in that renewal, though just five of the last 11 winners of the race ran off the shortest price. Eight of the last 11 winners of the event had a rating of 141 or higher.
- Bill Baxter won last year’s Topham Chase and he is back to defend his crown this time around. Remarkably, none of the last 11 winners of this renewal started the race as favourite. 100% of the last 11 winners carried a rating of 132 or higher, however.
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