The opening day of Aintree’s Grand National festival takes place on Thursday as Andrew Mount previews the event with his best daily bets.
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Posted: 12.12pm, Tuesday, April 1st
1.45 Aintree – JANGO BAIE (2pt win – 11/4 BetVictor, Ladbrokes)
JANGO BAIE did this column a favour when landing the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month to maintain his record of never finishing outside of the first two in his short career (he now has form figures of 211222121). The six-year-old’s two previous Aintree runs produced a Grade 1 win at odds of 17-2 in the Formby Novices’ Hurdle on Boxing Day 2023 and a 9-1 runner-up effort in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at this meeting last term. He recorded his career-best RPR when successful at Cheltenham and, with no Majborough in opposition this time, he looks a solid bet now returned to his optimum 2m4f trip.
2.55 Aintree – GREY DAWNING (1pt win – 5/2 William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfair)
It looked possible that GREY DAWNING had left his season in the Haydock mud after coming off second best in a prolonged duel with Royale Pagaille for the Betfair Chase back in November, especially after he pulled up in the King George at Kempton where he was never travelling after a bad mistake at the first fence. However, he bounced back to score comfortably from Grand National hope Iroko at Kelso last month and looks the bet in this Grade 1 contest. Dan Skelton’s eight-year-old has form figures outside of his seasonal debuts of 1111F12113P1 (8-12) and can get the better of course expert AHOY SENOR, whose Aintree record reads 113223 (2-6).
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3.30 Aintree – WODHOOH (0.5pt win – 8/1 William Hill, 15/2 888sport)
The last ten winners of the William Hill Aintree Hurdle prepped in Grade 1 company but, in the same period, nine of the 12 runners who contested a handicap immediately prior to Liverpool made the frame (second, third or fourth), often at big prices (80-1, 25-1, 25-1, 22-1, 20-1, 18-1, 14-1, 8-1 and 13-2). I had intended to back WODHOOH each-way but with only seven runners that approach looks far less attractive. However, the five-year-old, who took her record for Gordon Elliott to 1111111 (7-7) when comfortably landing the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham, still looks worth a bet to cause an upset.
4.40 Aintree – PETIT TONNERRE (1pt e/w – 17/2 William Hill, 8/1 generally)
Simply backing all runners in the Red Rum Handicap Chase who carried 10-10 or less would have found eight of the last ten winners (from 60 bets) for a profit of £47.50 to a £1 level stake at SP. Those who swerved the Grand Annual at Cheltenham and whose jockey didn’t claim an allowance were eight from 40 for a profit of £67.50. This angle produces a shortlist of just five of the 14 runners – DR T J ECKLEBURG, SANS BRUIT, PETIT TONNERRE, GALUNGGUNG and RATH GAUL HILL. I’m concerned about the prospects of Dr T K Eckleburg as he looked flattered from off the very strong pace when scoring at Chepstow last time and lack big-field handicap chase experience. Sans Bruit won this 12 months ago when ridden by Byrony Frost and Harry Cobden takes the ride this year. He runs off the same mark and could go well despite a comprehensive defeat behind Dr T J Eckleburg at Chepstow last time, but I prefer the claims of PETIT TONNERRE. The O’Neill-trained seven-year-old has some useful course form to his name, including a three-quarters of a length second to Imperial Saint (now rated 20lb higher) on good ground in a novices’ handicap chase over this trip in October. A strongly-run 2m on a sound surface and a flat course is perfect for him and he looks sure to be staying on to good effect.
Andrew Mount’s Best Bets
1.45 Aintree – JANGO BAIE (2pt win – 11/4 BetVictor, Ladbrokes)
2.55 Aintree – GREY DAWNING (1pt win – 5/2 William Hill, Paddy Power, Betfair)
3.30 Aintree – WODHOOH (0.5pt win – 8/1 William Hill, 15/2 888sport)
4.40 Aintree – PETIT TONNERRE (1pt e/w – 17/2 William Hill, 8/1 generally)
Andrew Mount’s tips for Thursday 3rd April, 2025
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