Live racing blog: Follow the Trackside Live updates from the opening day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree

f="https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/racecards/2026-04-09/aintree/racecard/911339/racing-welfare-bowl-chase-grade-1-gbb-race?dcmp=SL_PLUS_CARDS">14:55 - Racing Welfare Bowl Chase

Paddock Notes

3 Pic d'Orhy - already warm in pre-parade; doesn’t tend to sweat up

4 Protektorat - looks a picture; well muscled and solid, has come forward from Kelso

5 Spillane's Tower - alert and keen to get on with the job; looks in great spirits, far better than Cheltenham (Trials)

2 Jango Baie - similar to cheltenham, carries a strong level of muscle definition

1 Impaire Et Passe - little on toes, more through exuberance than tension, fit and well

14:20 - William Hill Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Paddock Notes

1 Blueking d'Oroux - doesn’t stand out from a fitness perspective; little plain

2 Jax Junior - still plain in the coat (similar to Cheltenham, worse than Kempton), sturdy physical

4 Lulamba - difficult to fault physically; lean and muscular

5 Mambonumberfive - seen look better this season; big imposing physical

3 Koktail Divin - liked at Cheltenham as a physical and looks well again; nice demeanour, forward and alert - interested rather than worried.

4 Lulamba - moments of tension in the paddock

Paddock Verdict

4 Lulamba and 3 Koktail Divin best pair, Koktail Divin preferred as Lulamba having occasional moment of tension

Full Result

1st Koktail Divin 3/1

2nd Blueking d'Oroux 22/1

Reaction from winning connections

Winning rider Darragh O’Keeffe told ITV Racing: “He’s on springs, so quick from A to B. The key to him was the drop in trip; he’s a big striding horse, so we wanted to keep it simple and be near the front. He got into a brilliant rhythm.

“He gave me everything in the Brown Advisory but to come back here was great.

“Fair play to everyone in the yard. We're all delighted and there will be a few more chances over the next couple of days.”

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead added: “It’s a great start, I’m delighted and I thought Darragh was brilliant. They went a good gallop and he jumped amazing. They were all jumping so well up front.

"I was starting to get a bit worried [when he idled late on] but then he seemed to pick up again.

“I’m delighted for the [winning owners] Maloneys, they’ve been great supporters of ours.”

13:45 - Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

Paddock Notes

10 Selma De Vary - looking more professional than previous two runs; slender framed, presents fit each time

9 Mange Tout - small, slender filly; looks better than Ireland, improved in the coat

5 Maestro Conti - no major change from Cheltenham, always been eye-catching physically, marginally more level headed than last two runs

1 Ammes - physically improved through the season, lacks the same quality as rivals

4 Lord - having a look round, but more settled than Musselburgh. Very fit, but a little plain compared to others

2 Aqua Bleu - chasing type for the future; lovely big mover. Nice type, speedier looking models on show but has quality.

8 Wolf Rayet - very fit, a little fussy in the head

3 Indian River - small and compact model, fit and fine but nothing more than that

6 Minella Study - having a good look in the paddock compared to Cheltenham. Not enough to be a negative but needs to be noted as a change.

7 Winston Junior - two handlers although fairly relaxed. Barrely type, coat looks improved from Cheltenham.

4 Lord - getting very excited as proceedings go on, similar behaviour that he showed at Musselburgh.

Paddock Verdict

10 Selma De Vary favoured, improvement in professionalism from last two runs

Full Result

1st Mange Tout 5/1

2nd Selma De Vary 9/4 fav

3rd Indian River 25/1

Reaction from winning connections

Winning rider Jack Kennedy told ITV Racing: “Thankfully it has worked out [missing Cheltenham].

“She was good. She can over-race a little bit but I got a bit of cover and she was still a bit keen but not too bad. She’s a big frame of a filly, she’s not small.”

Robbie Power, representative for owners Robcour, added: “She was a bit keen at Leopardstown, she settled better today and Jack got into a lovely rhythm.

“It was a great decision to skip Cheltenham and come here fresh and well. I think she will stay further in time, she settled better today.”

More from Sporting Life

• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.