IT once used to be all about horses-for-courses when it came to the Aintree Grand National meeting.
That’s no longer the case — but it doesn’t mean the old analogy won’t come in handy when trying to find a winner on the first day.
AHOY SENOR (2.55) takes on seven rivals in the feature Grade 1 Bowl with desperate recent form figures of PPF!
[iframe src=”https%3A%2F%2Ffragments.sunracingtech.uk%2Fbest_price%3Fhorse%3Dahoy_senor%26date%3D2025-04-03%26time%3D14%253A55%26course%3Daintree” /]But in six outings at Aintree he has rattled up numbers that read 113223, and his first Grade 1 win came here at 66-1 over hurdles.
The simple truth is this — if Ahoy Senor is going to run a big one this season it’s today.
He fell at Cheltenham in the Gold Cup when going happily at the 15th fence and he was a little unlucky to topple over.
He loves the Liverpool air and, if getting into a rhythm, he has each-way claims for Lucinda Russell and Patrick Wadge.
Opposition includes Grey Dawning, Spillane’s Tower and an up-in-trip Gaelic Warrior.
It’s a decent renewal.
IMPAIRE ET PASSE (1.45) is my strong fancy in the opening Manifesto Chase — the first of SIX races on ITV.
[iframe src=”https%3A%2F%2Ffragments.sunracingtech.uk%2Fbest_price%3Fhorse%3Dimpaire_et_passe%26date%3D2025-04-03%26time%3D13%253A45%26course%3Daintree” /]He was the best of these over hurdles and drying ground might well be in his favour with a fine win at Sandown to his name on good going.
The Willie Mullins runner won a Grade 1 hurdle at this track this time last year and, while he never looked happy behind Ballyburn at Leopardstown last time, I liked the way he rallied on the bend for third (Croke Park in second).
The former Grade 1 Ballymore winner might just have a bit too much class for this field.
I will have to leave out Jango Baie who was brilliant for this column and me at Cheltenham. I wish him well.
The second of four Grade 1s is the Anniversary Hurdle and Nimble can land the bread.
I thought NATURALLY NIMBLE (2.20) had every chance at Cheltenham but didn’t run.
[iframe src=”https%3A%2F%2Ffragments.sunracingtech.uk%2Fbest_price%3Fhorse%3Dnaturally_nimble%26date%3D2025-04-03%26time%3D14%253A20%26course%3Daintree” /]He was a Grade 3 winner at Fairyhouse two runs ago and a fair fourth to Hello Neighbour at Leopardstown when staying on well.
Fresh is usually best at this meeting and my fancy looks good at 5-1.
The final top-level race on a fabulous first day is the Aintree Hurdle — and, folks, I stick by my belief CONSTITUTION HILL (3.30) is the BEST hurdler I have ever seen.
[iframe src=”https%3A%2F%2Ffragments.sunracingtech.uk%2Fbest_price%3Fhorse%3Dconstitution_hill%26date%3D2025-04-03%26time%3D15%253A30%26course%3Daintree” /]He may prefer two miles but he has won this two and a half miler before and has had extensive schooling since a rather embarrassing fall in the Champion Hurdle.
He is rated a 15lb better horse than only threat Lossiemouth and, as good as she is, Con Hill will be too strong.
The Foxhunters — the first race of the week over the National fences — promises to be plenty of fun and FAMOUS CLERMONT (4.05) can make a name for himself again.
[iframe src=”https%3A%2F%2Ffragments.sunracingtech.uk%2Fbest_price%3Fhorse%3Dfamous_clermont%26date%3D2025-04-03%26time%3D16%253A05%26course%3Daintree” /]He was brilliant when winning this in 2023 and comes into this in winning form from a point to point race at Cothelstone, Somerset.
PETIT TONNERRE (4.40) is not everybody’s favourite but he can take the Red Rum Handicap Chase.
[iframe src=”https%3A%2F%2Ffragments.sunracingtech.uk%2Fbest_price%3Fhorse%3Dpetit_tonnerre%26date%3D2025-04-03%26time%3D16%253A40%26course%3Daintree” /]He finally got back to winning ways two runs ago at Doncaster and was still cruising at the same track off a 5lb higher mark when bought down on his last run.
The Grade 2 mares’ bumper closes the show and this is a proper guessing game.
My pin came down on BLUE BETTY (5.15) who travelled and ran on well on the Newcastle all-weather last time and has more improvement in her.
[iframe src=”https%3A%2F%2Ffragments.sunracingtech.uk%2Fbest_price%3Fhorse%3Dblue_betty%26date%3D2025-04-03%26time%3D17%253A15%26course%3Daintree” /]Good luck… and Yeeehaaa!