The Aintree Grand National Festival starts on Thursday and our racing ambassador Robbie Power has plenty of betting tips for Day One.
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1.45 2m4f Novices’ Chase
It’s as ordinary a Grade 1 as I’ve seen at Aintree for some time. Pic D’Orhy is a decent horse - his jumping sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, but he was very good at Kempton the last day. He has bypassed Cheltenham like a lot of Paul Nicholls’ horses so comes here fresh, but this looks a good opportunity for WAR LORD to get a Grade 1 win.
He had a good run in the Arkle when 4th and I won a handicap hurdle on him at Ascot over 2m3f, so the trip is not going to be a problem and he’s been running consistently all season.
Gin On Lime is a consistent mare, she was very impressive when I won a Grade 3 on her in Tipperary, although she was fortunate to win the last day at Cheltenham. I think she’ll be the biggest danger.
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2.20 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle
Brazil was a good winner of the Boodles handicap at Cheltenham and his stamina really kicked into play. Whether he gets enough of a stamina test at Aintree I’m not so sure and for me the Grade 1 form stands up nine times out of ten. PIED PIPER was a good third in the Triumph Hurdle, not far behind Vauban, and he sets the standard for me.
The dangers could be the Venetia Williams filly Fautinette, who is unexposed, and Jonjo O’Neill’s Petit Tonnerre, who won a few times in France and made a very impressive hurdling debut in a handicap at Market Rasen. This is a huge step up in class, but he is unexposed and open to more improvement.
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2.55 3m1f Bowl Chase
Aintree will really suit Royale Pagaille. He has good course form around Kempton and Aintree is similar in that’s it’s a flat track. My big concern is the ground as he wants it proper soft and I don’t think he’ll get it.
Eldorado Allen was a good third in the Ryanair at Cheltenham, Kemboy comes in fresh but needs to improve on his Irish Gold Cup run at Lepardstown and Clan Des Obeaux has blinkers on for the first time and is hardly open to much improvement at 10-years-old.
I’d side with PROTEKTORAT who was 3rd in the Gold Cup staying on and was a very impressive course and distance winner back in December. If he can reproduce that, he’d be very hard to beat.
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3.30 2m4f Aintree Hurdle
You could maybe make a case for Brewin’upastorm and Glory And Fortune, but neither have the class of Zanahiyr or Epatante.
ZANAHIYR has been crying out all season for a step up in trip and the 2m4f is definitely going to play to his strengths, so the slight preference is for Gordon Elliott’s charge. Epatante will be ridden for speed - she is definitely the quickest horse in this race and I’ll be amazed if anything outside of them two is good enough to win this.
THE BUILD UP. THE ATMOSPHERE. THE GRAND NATIONAL EXPLAINED BY A WINNER
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR ROBBIE POWER
Robbie 'Puppy' Power is BoyleSports' Racing Ambassador and a successful National Hunt jockey with a number wins and achievements under his belt.
These include the English Grand National at Aintree, the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.
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1.45 2m4f Novices’ Chase
It’s as ordinary a Grade 1 as I’ve seen at Aintree for some time. Pic D’Orhy is a decent horse - his jumping sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, but he was very good at Kempton the last day. He has bypassed Cheltenham like a lot of Paul Nicholls’ horses so comes here fresh, but this looks a good opportunity for WAR LORD to get a Grade 1 win.
He had a good run in the Arkle when 4th and I won a handicap hurdle on him at Ascot over 2m3f, so the trip is not going to be a problem and he’s been running consistently all season.
Gin On Lime is a consistent mare, she was very impressive when I won a Grade 3 on her in Tipperary, although she was fortunate to win the last day at Cheltenham. I think she’ll be the biggest danger.
?️ "It's a good opportunity for him to get a Grade 1 win!"
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) April 7, 2022""
? @Robbie_Power_ previews the 1.45 #Aintree on Day 1 of the Grand National Festival!
Bet ? https://t.co/D4U0mCgUIg#Racing @BoyleSportsLB pic.twitter.com/jtIdMovXVe
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2.20 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle
Brazil was a good winner of the Boodles handicap at Cheltenham and his stamina really kicked into play. Whether he gets enough of a stamina test at Aintree I’m not so sure and for me the Grade 1 form stands up nine times out of ten. PIED PIPER was a good third in the Triumph Hurdle, not far behind Vauban, and he sets the standard for me.
The dangers could be the Venetia Williams filly Fautinette, who is unexposed, and Jonjo O’Neill’s Petit Tonnerre, who won a few times in France and made a very impressive hurdling debut in a handicap at Market Rasen. This is a huge step up in class, but he is unexposed and open to more improvement.
? "I think he should regain the winning thread here."
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) April 7, 2022""
? @Robbie_Power_ on the 2.20 #Aintree, 4yo Juvenile Hurdle!
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2.55 3m1f Bowl Chase
Aintree will really suit Royale Pagaille. He has good course form around Kempton and Aintree is similar in that’s it’s a flat track. My big concern is the ground as he wants it proper soft and I don’t think he’ll get it.
Eldorado Allen was a good third in the Ryanair at Cheltenham, Kemboy comes in fresh but needs to improve on his Irish Gold Cup run at Lepardstown and Clan Des Obeaux has blinkers on for the first time and is hardly open to much improvement at 10-years-old.
I’d side with PROTEKTORAT who was 3rd in the Gold Cup staying on and was a very impressive course and distance winner back in December. If he can reproduce that, he’d be very hard to beat.
✅ "Aintree will really suit him; I fancy him for this."
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) April 7, 2022""
⭕ @Robbie_Power_ with his thoughts on the 2.55 Aintree Bowl Chase.
Bet ? https://t.co/IKZkJ5Ii1v#Racing @BoyleSportsLB pic.twitter.com/x6f2p54XX9
BET ON SATURDAY'S GRAND NATIONAL RIGHT HERE AT BOYLESPORTS.COM
3.30 2m4f Aintree Hurdle
You could maybe make a case for Brewin’upastorm and Glory And Fortune, but neither have the class of Zanahiyr or Epatante.
ZANAHIYR has been crying out all season for a step up in trip and the 2m4f is definitely going to play to his strengths, so the slight preference is for Gordon Elliott’s charge. Epatante will be ridden for speed - she is definitely the quickest horse in this race and I’ll be amazed if anything outside of them two is good enough to win this.
☝️ "Stepping up to two and a half miles will definitely play to his strengths."
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) April 7, 2022""
?️ @Robbie_Power_ on the 3.30 #Aintree Hurdle today!
Bet ? https://t.co/KeL82Pdpmg#Racing @BoyleSportsLB pic.twitter.com/KDlZGX3L5K
THE BUILD UP. THE ATMOSPHERE. THE GRAND NATIONAL EXPLAINED BY A WINNER
Remember, always gamble responsibly. Here's our Safer Gambling Guide.
BOOST OR INSURE? MAKE YOUR CHOICE ON YOUR ACCA RIGHT HERE! T&Cs APPLY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR ROBBIE POWER
Robbie 'Puppy' Power is BoyleSports' Racing Ambassador and a successful National Hunt jockey with a number wins and achievements under his belt.
These include the English Grand National at Aintree, the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the BoyleSports Irish Grand National.