Grand National Festival - Ladies Day Tips
Friday is Ladies’ Day at Aintree and there is another top-class day of jump racing from the Liverpool track to savour.
The Grade 1 Melling Chase is the feature race of the day, and Jonbon will bid for redemption after coming up short in the Champion Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival.
We’ve put together our best bets for every race on Friday, which kicks off with the Mildmay Novices' Chase at 1.45
1.45 Aintree - 3m1f (Mildmay) Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
There’s no shortage of pace in Friday’s opening contest and it could set up nicely for a hold-up performer such as Stellar Story.
The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding ran a belter in a tactical affair at Cheltenham last month and a stronger gallop should see him in an even better light.
Selection: Stellar Story
2.20 Aintree - 2m4f William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) (4yo+)
This is a typically competitive renewal but Favour And Fortune has often given the impression that his future could be at intermediate distances and he gets the vote.
He shaped as if a step up in trip would suit when fourth in Newbury’s valuable two mile handicap hurdle in February and it’s worth putting a line through his subsequent effort.
Selection: Favour And Fortune
2.55 Aintree - 2m½f TrustATrader Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Romeo Coolio sets a rock-solid standard in the second Grade 1 contest on Friday.
His effort behind Kopek Des Bordes in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham is the standout piece of form on offer in this field and that race was run in an impressive time.
There’s a chance he’ll improve again, and he should be extremely hard to beat if he does.
Selection: Romeo Coolio
3.30 Aintree - 2m4f (Mildmay) My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5yo+)
Jonbon is another favourite worth siding with at Aintree on Friday.
Nicky Henderson’s star chaser once again showed that Cheltenham is not his favourite track last month, but he has won all of his races away from the Cotswolds venue and has only three runners to beat, all of whom have questions to answer.
Selection: Jonbon
4.05 Aintree - 2m5f (Grand National course) Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
The Topham is one of the most competitive races of the week, but Ginny’s Destiny will appreciate good ground, and the trip is ideal for Paul Nicholls' gelding.
He showed signs of a return to form at Cheltenham last month and his solid jumping should be a huge asset over the National fences.
Selection: Ginny’s Destiny
4.40 Aintree - 3m½f Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Gordon Elliott’s Jacob’s Ladder looks capable of landing the final Grade 1 on the card.
He followed up a maiden hurdle win with a facile success in Grade 3 company last time out, and there should be more to come over three miles.
Selection: Jacob’s Ladder
5.15 Aintree - 2m½f Hallgarten And Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys'/Amateur Riders' Race) (Class 2)
This is a tricky finale for amateur or conditional riders. Freddie Gingell has to be considered one of the most talented riders in this contest, and he has good claims of success with Afadil.
Afadil was 6lb higher in the weights when running with credit in this race 12 months ago, and he looked back to something like his best when narrowly denied in the recent Imperial Cup at Sandown.
Selection: Afadil