Don't miss today's preview as the Punting Pointers duo go through the opening afternoon of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree.
Racing betting tips: Thursday April 9
1pt win Minella Study in 13:45 Aintree at 4/1 (General) - min 7/2
1pt e.w. Inthepocket in 16:40 Aintree at 15/2 (Sky Bet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5) - min 7/1
13:45 Aintree
The Triumph Hurdle provides the key and MINELLA STUDY appears the one to beat. He travelled like the best horse at Cheltenham, looked the likely winner at the last and was only caught late after possibly committing too soon. A more measured ride should see that effort reproduced, and the current price remains fair relative to his form.
Maestro Conti shaped well but looked short of a turn of foot in the Triumph and may prove better over further in time while Selma De Vary met trouble before the final flight at Cheltenham, but her finishing effort was not especially strong and she may prefer softer ground.
14:20 Aintree
The Grade 1 chases on today's card look no-bet races. Lulamba makes only limited appeal at very short odds for all he may improve for the step up in trip and the Arkle was much the best of the novice chases run at Cheltenham, giving him a clear edge on form.
He’s hardly bomb-proof in his jumping yet, though, and while I’d forgive his solitary lapse at the tricky second-last in the Arkle, I’m happy to watch him win.
Koktail Divin travelled powerfully in the Brown Advisory before his stamina gave out late in a demanding race. A flatter track and shorter trip will suit him, and he’s capable of narrowing the gap between himself and Lulamba.
14:55 Aintree
Jango Baie is clear on ratings and has a really consistent profile, with his Gold Cup second the best piece of form on offer.
Impaire Et Passe beat him here last year over shorter, but Jango Baie finished that race strongly and the extra distance now favours him. The negative is that the Gold Cup is a surprisingly poor guide to this contest and a slog over 3¼m can leave even the best horses flat at the end of the season.
Others have questions to answer, however, whether in terms of stamina, class, or both, making this another race to watch than to bet in.
15:30 Aintree
Take All shaped as though stamina just stretched him behind Barton Snow at Cheltenham but he impressed with his jumping until tiring. He used to be held up when trained in Ireland, but makes more appeal here if the positive tactics employed at Cheltenham are repeated, and he gets on well with Sam Scott.
He’s perhaps a little suspect in a finish, but I can see him in contention at the last and he can hang on for a place at a big price. Barton Snow won’t mind the drop to 2m5½f and is obviously the one to beat, but is priced accordingly.
16:05 Aintree
The New Lion ran respectably in the Champion Hurdle but offers little value at the price, as while a step up in trip will suit, that is clearly the case for C&D winner Brighterdaysahead, who was unsuited by having to make the running at Cheltenham, and was a very impressive winner here as a novice after being beaten in the Dawn Run.
She will relish the long straight and if Gordon Elliott was in better form (he’s still had four winners over Easter weekend despite plenty of reverses), then I’d argue she should be an odds-on favourite. Given the stable was in even worse form when she had The New Lion behind last month, she should confirm form and both her defeat of Lossiemouth in the Irish Champion and her 31-length demolition of State Man et al at Leopardstown last season are head and shoulders above what any of her rivals have achieved.
16:40 Aintree
This has been Sans Bruit’s target all season and he bids for a hat‑trick off only a slightly higher mark. The market is fully alive to his chance, however, unlike when he’s won this for the past two years.
INTHEPOCKET fell when moving into contention in the Grand Annual and, despite carrying top weight, may simply be better than these, and is afforded maximum respect, while the other McManus runner, Stencil, was in the wrong race at Cheltenham and has been reportedly aimed at this all season.
He can go well as long as patient tactics aren’t overplayed, as this is a track where a front runner can easily get loose. However, at the morning prices, it's Inthepocket that makes the most appeal.
Preview posted at 09:30 BST on 09/04/26
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