Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece, I’m looking ahead to the Aintree Grand National Festival, which kicks off on Thursday.
Last weekend it was about the new Flat season now the jumps are back although if you do want high class flat action you can get it at Meydan where its Dubai World Cup Night.
Aintree Grand National Festival 2025
The three-day meeting delivers top-class racing and a lively crowd. For Liverpool and Merseyside, it remains one of the biggest sporting and social events of the year.
Thursday – Day 1
The final declarations for day one were released on Tuesday morning. For the racing enthusiasts out there, you can watch the final declarations live here. It’s a testament to my racing obsession that I now find myself glued to this every Thursday morning ahead of Saturday’s big races!
The feature race is the Grade 1 William Hill Aintree Hurdle (3.30) and sees a Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth clash.
Other key races include:
Friday – Day 2
Four more Grade 1s headline the action, including the Melling Chase (3.30), where the likes of Jonbon and Heart Wood could meet. The other top-level races include Mildmay Novices' Chase (1.45), Top Novices' Hurdle (2.55) and Sefton Novices' Hurdle (4.40)
Again, six of the seven races will be live on ITV.
Looks like an exciting three days ahead! It’s going to be a major betting event for me, with plenty intriguing races worth getting involved in.
A cracking looking three days in store. It's not a mega betting meeting for me but there's some interesting races to get involved in.
Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase (2.55) – Potential clash between Grey Dawning and Spillane's Tower. Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (2.20) – Lulamba runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle was surprisingly not declared by Nicky Henderson. The EBC Group Manifesto Novices' Chase (1.45) is the fourth Grade 1 on a strong seven-race card.
ITV Racing will show six of the seven races live.
Saturday – Grand National Day
The Randox Grand National (4.00) is the highlight, but the undercard is packed with quality, featuring three more Grade 1s: The Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (1.55), Liverpool Hurdle (3.05), and Maghull Novices' Chase (5.00).
Aintree Festival Key Stats
No time for a deep dive, but here are three key stats – one positive and two cautionary.
Mark Walsh’s Aintree Record
Walsh had a breakthrough Cheltenham Festival with four winners. He’s also excelled at Aintree in recent years with 9 winners.
Nine of those winners from 19 rides came in non-handicaps (47%) +26.51, 14 places (74%).
J P McManus – Stick to Non-Handicaps
McManus has had 26 Aintree Festival winners since 2008. However, 24 came in non-handicap races.
His only handicap wins? Both in the Grand National.
Horses That Pulled Up Last Time
Since 2008 just five horses have won a Aintree Grand National Festival Chase having pulled up on their previous start.
The last horse to have won having pulled up last time out (LTO) was Sam Brown in 2022. He had pulled up in Haydock’s Grand National Trial on previous start.
Excluding 2010 (which had three winners), it’s been slim pickings for backers of pulled up horses.
In case you were wondering those who pulled up at Cheltenham last time have produced – 2 winners from 115 runners -96, 14 places.
If, like me, you're considering laying these qualifiers this week, let's hope 2025 doesn’t turn into another 2010!
There you have it – three Aintree Grand National Festival key stats to consider.
Thursday’s column will look at the best of the day’s action at Aintree.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets!
John