We’re covering day one of the 2026 Grand National Festival in our Aintree tips for Thursday and have selections for all seven races.
With four Grade One contests featured on a cracking card, there will be lots of high-class action and some strong betting heats.
Aintree Tips Thursday – 2026 Grand National Festival Day 1
13:45 Tip
13:45 Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle – Minella Study
Has been a real flagbearer for Seahouses handler Adam Nicol, landing a Listed race at Wetherby and impressively claiming a Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham in December.
Minella Study was only headed late on when third at the Festival after travelling sweetly throughout and the feeling is that this flatter run-in may allow him to last home in front.
14:20 Tip
14:20 William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase – Lulamba
Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old suffered his first defeat in four starts over fences when third in the Arkle at Cheltenham but the Seven Barrows handler is hopeful a step up in trip will help him to get back on track.
Three of his rivals have tasted victory over this 2m 4f distance, but Lulamba will certainly not be inconvenienced by a strong gallop if any of them try to test his stamina and he looks a class apart if everything goes to plan.
14:55 Tip
14:55 Racing Welfare Bowl Chase – Spillane’s Tower
The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old is taken to justify connections’ decision to bypass the Grand National by securing a third Grade One win.
Jimmy Mangan’s charge was pulled out of the Gold Cup due to sound ground conditions and that could be a concern, but the Aintree track is due to be watered daily and that can boost Spillane’s Tower’s hopes of adding to his Cotswold Chase success in January.
15:30 Tip
15:30 Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase – Barton Snow
Joe O’Shea’s nine-year-old only prevailed by a neck at Cheltenham but travelled strongly throughout and was always doing enough to see off Its On The Line, so he is fancied to confirm that form given luck in running over the National fences.
16:05 Tip
16:05 William Hill Aintree Hurdle – Brighterdaysahead (NAP)
Gordon Elliott’s star mare was an excellent winner of the Irish Champion Hurdle and although Lossiemouth gained revenge in emphatic fashion at Cheltenham, she still fared best of the rest in second, with the reopposing The New Lion, Alexei and Golden Ace in behind.
Brighterdaysahead boasts a Grade One course and distance success from when winning the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle in 2024, one of four top-level victories in her career, and getting a 7lb allowance from the geldings will make her hard to beat.
16:40 Tip
16:40 Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase – Stencil
Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s French raider failed to fire at the Cheltenham Festival but had previously scored in decisive fashion at Chepstow and is worth sticking with.
17:15 Tip
17:15 Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race – Ti’Mamzel
Gary and Josh Moore’s charge managed to win at Huntingdon and finish second in a valuable Windsor bumper despite still looking green, but really caught the eye when running away from a decent field late on at Sandown and is one to follow now the penny has really dropped.
Aintree Thursday Tips
Aintree Thursday Betting Tips
Minella Study – 13:45 Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle
Lulamba – 14:20 William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase
Spillane’s Tower – 14:55 Racing Welfare Bowl Chase
Barton Snow – 15:30 Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase
Brighterdaysahead (NAP) – 16:05 William Hill Aintree Hurdle
Stencil – 16:40 Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase
Ti’Mamzel – 17:15 Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
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