Aintree Grand National Festival Day 1 (Thursday 9th April 2026)

Apr 8, 2026 - 12:45

The Aintree Festival 2026 gets underway on Thursday and it’s always a brilliant three days of racing following on from Cheltenham.

While the Grand National dominates the headlines later in the week, Day 1 at Aintree is packed with quality and competitive racing, offering some excellent betting opportunities for punters.

We’ve got top-class action including the Aintree Bowl, Aintree Hurdle and several strong supporting races, and it’s often a day where horses coming out of Cheltenham reappear quickly.

That makes it a fascinating puzzle from a betting perspective, so here are my Aintree Festival 2026 Day 1 tips and best bets.

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Aintree Grand National Festival Day 1 Racing (Thursday) tips

1.45 Maestro Conti – 3/1 with Betfred
2.20 Koktail Divin – 3/1 with bet365
2.55 Jango Baie – 10/11 with bet365 NAP
3.30 Barton Snow – 11/4 with Ladbrokes
4.05 The New Lion – 2/1 with Betway NEXT BEST
4.40 Ryan’s Rocket – 44/5 with SBK
5.15 Ti’mamzel – 15/2 each-way with bet365

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Aintree’s Grand National Festival Day 1 (Thursday 9th April 2026)

Find my top tips for Thursday 9th April 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

Aintree 1.45 Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m209y

4 of the last 11 winners were favourites with 8 of 11 top 3 in the betting
5 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
6 of the last 11 winners ran in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham
10 of the last 11 winners were rated 138 or higher

A fiercely competitive start to the day and I’m keen to oppose Selma De Vary with MAESTRO CONTI who I thought was a little unlucky in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

He tanked into that race and with a better trip may well have gone closer. He is still a horse with huge untapped potential and I think he can confirm form with Minella Study and Selma De Vary and come out on top now.

Selma De Vary was so keen in that race and if she settles better here she will be dangerous. I actually think Minella Study will give the selection most to think about though with this Flatter track likely to suit him.

Bet on MAESTRO CONTI to Win at 3/1 with Betfred

Aintree 2.20 William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m3f200y

10 of the last 11 winners were aged between 6 and 8
0 of the last 11 winners were favourites but 9 of 11 top 3 in the betting
0 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
9 of the last 11 winners were rated 150 or higher

I have to admit I was a little disappointed with Lulamba at Cheltenham. I don’t think the trip got him beat as he seemed to come there with every chance and to be beaten a little under five lengths was underwhelming for me.

He is likely to go off a short price here but favourites have a terrible record and KOKTAIL DIVIN looks obvious value. He will love dropping back in trip and looks a nice prospect going forward.

Jax Junior and Mambonumberfive are no back numbers but they both arrive with something to prove if they are to spring an upset and Blueking D’oroux looks massively up against it despite this track suiting him well.

Bet on KOKTAIL DIVIN to Win at 3/1 with bet365

Aintree 2.55 Racing Welfare Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m210y

9 of the last 11 winners were aged between 8 and 10
7 of the last 11 winners were favourites and 9 of 11 top 3 in the betting
0 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
9 of the last 11 winners were rated 168 or higher

I thought that was another career best from JANGO BAIE in the Gold Cup. He bumped into the freak that is Gaelic Warrior but ran a huge race on the day.

If he jumps well here they will struggle to contain him as he is clearly a very talented horse and has the best form on offer by some way.

Spillane’s Tower was back to winning ways when last seen but this requires another step up and I just don’t think he is good enough when the taps are turned on. Impaire Et Passe goes well here and looks a greater danger.

Bet on JANGO BAIE to Win at 4/5 with bet365

Aintree 3.30 Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (Class 2) 2m5f19y

9 of the last 11 winners were aged 9 or older
3 of the last 11 winners were favourites or joint favourites and 6/11 top 3 in the betting
5 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
9 of the last 11 winners were rated 129 or higher

I never have a strong opinion in a race like this but I see no reason to try and oppose Cheltenham Festival hero BARTON SNOW. He landed a gamble that day and looked to do it with a bit up his sleeve.

He travels so well I can see this flatter track suiting even better and I’d probably have him shorter than his current price.

Unexpected Party skipped Cheltenham and has won his last two so looks the obvious danger on form. Its On The Line got within a neck of the favourite at Cheltenham so on that form has a decent shout as well.

Bet on BARTON SNOW to Win at 11/4 with Ladbrokes

Aintree 4.05 William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m4f

10 of the last 11 winners were aged between 6 and 8
5 of the last 11 winners were favourites or joint favourites and 11/11 top 3 in the betting
4 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
10 of the last 11 winners were rated 158 or higher

I thought THE NEW LION ran perfectly well in the Champion Hurdle. He was beaten 7 lengths by Lossiemouth but just looked taken off his feet over two miles and I expect this trip to really suit him here.

He is still a horse with a great deal of potential and I expect him to get the better of Brighterdaysahead this time.

The latter finished half a length in front of the selection last month but was fading at the time so this extra half a furlong should see those placings reversed. The better ground is also against Gordon Elliotts mare who likes to get her toe in.

El Fabiolo is the lurker in the pack and he shouldn’t be completely ignored either.

Bet on THE NEW LION to Win at 11/4 with Betway

Aintree 4.40 Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 1m7f176y

9 of the last 11 winners were aged between 7 and 9
0 of the last 11 winners were favourites/ joint favourites and just 3/11 top 3 in the betting
9 of the last 11 winners carried between 10 stone 5lb and 11 stone 1lb
9 of the last 11 winners were rated between 130 and 139

A wide open renewal and one that comes out well on the trends is RYAN’S ROCKET who looks a nice price too. He was nearer last than first at Kempton last month but ran below par that day and if bouncing back here dropped 2lb could be a big threat.

His win at Newbury was quite impressive and I’m expecting a much better performance here.

Sans Bruit obviously won this 12 months ago and is feared again under Cobden. Nicholls has also started hitting form again which is encouraging. Inthepocket fell at Cheltenham but if bouncing back here could also get involved in an open race.

Bet on RYAN’S ROCKET Each Way at 44/5 with SBK

Aintree 5.15 Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m209y

10 of the last 11 winners were aged 5 or 6
3 of the last 11 winners were favourites and 6/11 top 3 in the betting
6 of the last 11 winners won on their last run before
9 of the last 11 winners were rated 105 or higher

This bumper looks a bit of a lottery but if forced I’d take a little chance on TI’MAMZEL. She has won 2 from 3 for Gary Moore and really was quite impressive at Sandown last time.

She can do better and looks a lively player at a nice each way price.

Princess Day is likely to go off favourite and she is 3-3 so is clearly well thought of and should go well. Nan’s Choice represents the Skelton team and is another one with a bright future.

Bet on TI’MAMZEL Each Way at 15/2 with bet365

My top tip for Aintree’s Grand National Festival Day 1

I really can’t see anything challenging JANGO BAIE and as long as that Gold Cup effort hasn’t taken it out of him he should beat these.

The other one I like a lot is THE NEW LION stepping back up to two and a half miles I’d be confident he can reverse form with the mare.

The double looks a great bet at around 4/1!

Bet a Win Double on JANGO BAIE and THE NEW LION at 4/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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