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Grand Nationwide (4pm) betting
Greg Wooden
Grand Nationwide (4pm) preview
There’s not an enormous quantity extra to be stated in regards to the huge one which hasn’t been stated at size already, but when, like me, you’re going to be on one in all JP McManus’s 5 runners, there might be no worse feeling than pondering you’ve backed the winner when actually it was one of many different 4. The cap colors are: I Am Maximus – white; Chantry Home – crimson; Perceval Legallois – inexperienced with white star; Iroko: inexperienced and gold quartered; and Meetingofthewaters is blue. I’ve plumped for Iroko, with I Am Maximus, Senior Chief and Perceval Legallois filling the locations, however it’s just about as open as a Nationwide will get.
SELECTION: IROKO
Right here’s the map of the course to comply with in the course of the huge race.
Liverpool Hurdle (3.05pm) end result
1 Hiddenvalley Lake (D J O’Keeffe) 12-1
2 Robust Chief (S Bowen) 5-1
3 Jetara (N de Boinville) 15-2
11 ran
Non Runners: 3,11
Liverpool Hurdle (3.05pm)
And so they’re off … Monmiral has the lead early … with Robust Chief up there with the tempo too … Altobelli is the third as they exit for the ultimate circuit … Sounds Russian is on the again … The Wallpark is in direction of the rear … Jetara has made good floor … Hiddenvalley Lake comes late with a powerful run late on to seize the prize.
A terrific set of photographs right here from Tom Jenkins in a gallery of the primary two days of this 12 months’s Grand Nationwide pageant. Verify the gallery later for photos from right this moment’s huge race.
Liverpool Hurdle (3.05pm) betting
Greg Wooden
Liverpool Hurdle (3.05pm) preview
4 of the sphere additionally lined up for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham final month – Teahupoo, Residence By The Lee, The Wallpark and Buddy One – and although Willie Mullins’s Kitzbuhel might be a contemporary horse right here having been steered round Cheltenham after a win at Gowran in February, the pageant kind might be the strongest on provide. Teahupoo is an apparent favorite right this moment after ending an in depth second behind Bob Olinger there, however Residence By The Lee had no luck in any respect in operating and had beforehand seemed like an improved performer this season, so might be the worth choice to beat Gordon Elliott’s runner.
SELECTION: HOME BY THE LEE
Freebooter Handicap Chase (2.30pm) end result
1 Cruz Management (Stan Sheppard) 10-1
2 Imperial Saint (M G Nolan) 11-4 Fav
3 Erne River (Adam Wedge) 25-1
12 ran
Non Runners: 4,7,10,12
Freebooter Handicap Chase (2.30pm) betting
And so they’re off … Imperial Saint leads very early with Wevallbeencaught on the again … Docpickedme now picks it up … Le Milos additionally in direction of the rear … Imperial Saint now disputing the lead once more with a circuit to go … and now has the lead once more … Docpickedme makes a mistake … Richmond Lake travels effectively … Cruz Management now with Erne River … and Cruz Management kicks clear to repeat final 12 months’s win.
Freebooter Handicap Chase (2.30pm) betting
Greg Wooden
Freebooter Handicap Chase (2.30pm) preview
One other race with a number of non-runners, together with a giant contender in Dr Ken, and Imperial Saint, an Aintree winner over two-and-a-half miles in December, heads the market. He’s again in handicap firm after a barely disappointing Grade Two outing at Kempton final time (on condition that he set off because the 9-4 second-favourite) however he was third in a aggressive handicap at Cheltenham in January off right this moment’s mark so is weighted to go shut. Happygolucky can be again for an additional crack at a race that he received – off a 10lb larger mark – all of 4 years in the past, and he confirmed when staying on effectively into fourth within the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham’s pageant assembly that he’s nonetheless capable of combine it in sturdy handicap firm. Docpickedme, who seemed a lucky winner at Doncaster final time, can be choosing up some help, together with final 12 months’s winner, Cruz Management.
SELECTION: HAPPYGOLUCKY
Turners Mersey Novice Hurdle (1.55pm) end result
1 Honesty Coverage (M P Walsh) 5-1
2 Regent’s Stroll (H Cobden) 9-1
3 Funiculi Funicula (D E Mullins) 12-1
9 ran
Additionally: 5-2 Fav Miami Magic, 17-2 Koktail Divin 4th
Non Runners: 2,10,12
Turners Mersey Novice Hurdle (1.55pm)
A false begin … and this might get messy … and now they’re off … Regent’s Stroll has the lead … Miami Magic is up there early too … Good And Intelligent is on the again with a circuit to go … Koktail Divin is in second and able to problem … Kappa Jy Pyke can be there with each probability … Regent’s Stroll goes for house … and right here comes Honesty Coverage to get there within the last strides.
He arrives simply in time!
HONESTY POLICY wins Turners Mersey Novices Hurdle with one other sensible Mark Walsh trip 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/U5P9YzigYv
— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) April 5, 2025
Information flash: Necessary non-runner in 3.05pm race – the favorite is not going to line up!
The begins at Aintree this week have been messy once more, as on the Cheltenham pageant, with 4 false begins already and the primary one right this moment was not perfect. ITV pundit Ruby Walsh stated: “I don’t wish to be knocking the starter as a result of I wouldn’t wish to be doing his job for ten instances his wage however I feel he’s received it improper right here. As they break from a jig-jog right into a canter, there can’t be a begin. They don’t get again to a jig-jog however he begins the race and a pair get left behind.”
Turners Mersey Novice Hurdle (1.55pm) betting
Greg Wooden
Turners Mersey Novice Hurdle (1.55pm) preview
Lulamba, the probably favorite, has been scratched right here because of the going, which removes various the curiosity, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a Grade One and Fergal O’Brien’s unbeaten Horaces Pearl has taken over because the market chief. This might be his first outing in Graded firm over hurdles however he received the Grade Two bumper right here eventually 12 months’s Nationwide assembly, beating a steady companion who took a Grade Two novice hurdle at Kempton in February. Regent’s Stroll, from the Paul Nicholls steady, can be within the combine, though he got here up a little bit brief on his final attempt in Grade One firm within the Challow Hurdle over Christmas, whereas Kappa Jy Pyke, sixth when a giant outsider for the Turners Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham final month, is an fascinating runner for Willie Mullins as he appears to be like to take care of his problem to retain the Nationwide Hunt trainers’ title.
SELECTION: HORACES PEARL
William Hill Handicap Hurdle (1.20pm) end result
1 Deep Cave (Jack Tudor) 28-1
2 Timmy Tuesday (D J Gilligan) 11-2
3 Double Highly effective (C O’Farrell) 7-1
4 Park Of Kings (M P Walsh) 12-1
17 ran
Additionally: 4-1 Fav Act Of Authority
Non Runners: 1, 2, 9, 16, 22
William Hill Handicap Hurdle (1.20pm)
And so they’re off … Jipcot, all the time held up previously, is up there within the very early phases … Constructing Bridges has taken over the lead … Dartan and Timmy Tuesday are additionally distinguished … Act Of Authority and Double Highly effective are on the again … no fallers with a circuit to go … and never a lot change within the operating order for now … however Invoice Joyce has gone on the first hurdle within the again straight … he’s up and occurring riderless … Constructing Bridges has kicked clear with Dartan who’s below strain … Timmy Tuesday comes with a problem … Deep Cave comes late and will get there shut house.
I like that ITV nonetheless open up their Nationwide day protection (because the Beeb used to) with the theme music from the 1984 movie Champions based mostly on the victory of Bob Champion and Aldaniti in 1981. I nonetheless haven’t seen the film however I discovered it for a quid final 12 months on DVD.
William Hill Handicap Hurdle (1.20pm) betting
Greg Wooden
William Hill Handicap Hurdle (1.20pm) preview
5 non-runners within the opener however nonetheless a really aggressive handicap hurdle to unravel. The present high two within the betting, Catch Him Derry and Act Of Authority, had been each positioned in comparable races eventually month’s Cheltenham pageant (the Pertemps Closing and the Martin Pipe respectively) whereas the novice Invoice Joyce has been mixing it in Graded firm thus far and makes his handicap debut right here. Two Irish-trained runners with last-time out wins to think about too are Timmy Tuesday and Rushmount, and whereas the type of Gordon Elliott’s steady is one thing of a priority – he’s had an 8pc strike charge over the past fortnight – there’s a lot to love about Timmy Tuesday, who posted a powerful time when profitable at Down Royal in March and appears positive to be higher nonetheless now he steps as much as three miles.
SELECTION: TIMMY TUESDAY
Information … from Flat racing has simply damaged. Hayley Turner, a Group One-winning rider and the primary lady to accomplice 100 Flat winners in Britain in a single calendar 12 months, has introduced she is quitting the saddle.
Turner stated: “I’ve determined to retire from being a jockey following my winner at Southwell final week particularly as I had my first trip on the racecourse on 27 March, 2000. I’m very excited to additionally announce that I’m having a child in October, all being effectively, which I’ve been planning for the final two years. My household and I are all very excited.
“I want to thank everybody that has supported me over time particularly Michael Bell, David Simcock, Andrew Balding and Harry Eustace. I might additionally wish to thank my driving agent, Man Jewell, who has been my agent for almost all of my profession. I’m wanting ahead to my subsequent life chapter however might be specializing in the newborn within the brief time period.”
In case you go to the Nationwide do make a journey across the observe. The fences should not as fearsome after all nevertheless it’s nonetheless a singular observe. Racing Put up author Lee Mottershead has been around the course this morning.
Some nice heroes who’ve handed that publish first are there right this moment together with nice twin Nationwide winner Tiger Roll.
Right here’s all the newest going and non-runner information.
Mildmay (the non-Nationwide races) & Hurdle Programs: Good
Grand Nationwide Course: Good to Delicate
Non-Runners right this moment
1.20pm William Hill Prime Value Assure Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap)
1 Maximilian (Going)
2 Jeriko du Reponet (Going)
9 Bo Zenith (Going)
16 Nurse Susan (Going)
22 Navajo Indy (Bruised Foot)
1.55pm Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
2 Fingle Bridge (Going)
10 Moon Phases (Going)
12 Lulamba (Going)
2.30pm William Hill Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
4 Myretown (Not Eaten Up)
7 Peaky Boy (Not Eaten Up)
10 Physician Ken (Going)
12 Heltenham (Going)
3.05pm Ivy Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1)
3 Dashel Drasher (Going)
5.35pm Weatherbys Nationwide Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2)
1 Blofeld (Going)
2 Camberwell (Going)
5 Edward Sexton (Going)
6 El Cairos (Going)
Hi there and welcome to Grand Nationwide day, the most important day of the racing 12 months bar none and the one occasion that really transcends the game. Personally, I cherished the times earlier than racing’s weights-and-measures man, Phil “Tinkerman” Smith, began to fiddle about with the race however today it’s really huge open and the shortlists have grow to be ever longer – everybody has an opinion which aren’t as simply dismissed and consequently an increasing number of individuals are having a wager once more. The ending of the Topham Trophy, the race run over the Nationwide fences the day earlier than the race yearly, summed up the brand new Nationwide … tons in with probabilities on the final fence, the Irish had the primary 5 and an aesthetic horse prevailed. Matt Tombs wrote very apparently in regards to the “Plastic Nationwide” and what sort of horse to go for this 12 months right here on the Racing TV web site. No matter your fancy, good luck!
Topham forerunner of the Grand Nationwide? Masses in it on the final. Irish first 5. Elegant horse (with Grade One profitable kind) prevails. pic.twitter.com/TJTcW2k3Zx
— Tony Paley (@tonypaley) April 4, 2025
Preamble
Greg Wooden
Hi there from Aintree, the place the solar is shining and a 55,000 capability crowd is assembling for the 2025 Grand Nationwide – the race that also stops the nation (or maybe as a lot as a 3rd of it, at any charge).
The primary two days of the assembly have seen some high quality performances and glorious racing, however when all’s stated and achieved, Aintree’s pageant is all about one race and regardless of complaints in some quarters that it isn’t what it was, this 12 months’s Nationwide may hardly provide a larger depth of potentialities.
Fairly a couple of of these potentialities, admittedly, are carrying the identical inexperienced and gold colors of JP McManus, and the proprietor – who will take sole management of the all-time document for Nationwide winners with 4 if one in all his 5 runners comes house in entrance – at present has the highest three within the betting: I Am Maximus, who received final 12 months, Iroko and Perceval Legallois.
McManus is having probably the greatest seasons of his close to half-century as an proprietor, and had two winners right here yesterday together with Gentleman De Mee, within the Topham Chase over the Nationwide fences, who achieved the outstanding feat of passing your complete subject to win.
It’s then 12-1 bar the three, which takes in Stumptown, final month’s Cross Nation winner at Cheltenham, and the previous King George winner, Hewick, whereas a bunch of alternate options at a juicy each-way value are lining up behind.
The occurring the Grand Nationwide course is good-to-soft – it has been watered furiously for the final fortnight – whereas it’s good floor on the Mildmay course, which phases the opposite six races on right this moment’s card. That has resulted in a good few non-runners by way of the cardboard, most notably Lulamba, the probably favorite, within the Grade One novice hurdle at 1.50.
However the big-race subject is assembled and intact, it’s the nation’s largest collective day on the races and, as ever, all of the information, perception and motion might be right here on the weblog from the primary race to the final.
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