This week’s racing at Aintree isn’t just about the Grand National and Thursday’s card features a number of high profile horses in big races
Day One features an incredible number of top quality races, with the highlight arguably the opening race at Aintree, the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle. This Grade One contest will see Big Buck’s and Grand Crus once again go head-to-head.
Paul Nicholls’ record breaker will be well-fancied to make it a swift double over David Pipe’s exciting horse but this could well be an opportunity for Grand Crus to strike back at Big Buck’s.
The second race on Thursday’s card is expected to be dominated by another Nicholls runner, Zarkandar, who is expected to go well in the Matalan Anniversary 4-year-old Juvenile Hurdle. Daryl Jacob rode the horse to a comfortable victory at Cheltenham last month and it would be a major surprise if any of the other 4-year-olds could prevent him from claiming a quick double.
Nicholls should be celebrating again in the third of Thursday’s races, when the legendary Denman takes to the course for the Totesport Bowl Chase. Punchestowns, Nacarat and Carole’s Legacy should be nothing more than bit part players in what will, no doubt, be a rousing reception for the 2008 Gold Cup winner. Denman may have finished runner-up to Long Run in this year’s Cheltenham showpiece but he holds a special place in the hearts of a lot of punters.
Long Run was ridden to Gold Cup glory by Sam Waley-Cohen and the popular amateur jockey could be celebrating a win at Aintree, with the impressive Turko in the John Smith’s Fox Hunters’ Chase. The big challenge in the race will come from the Nigel-Twiston Davies trained Baby Run but having unseated his rider at Cheltenham, there are question marks over his jumping.
Similar doubts persist over the 2010 winner of this race, Silver Adonis, who fell at Kempton last month, which could open up the field for Waley-Cohen to claim a confidence boosting win, before he bids to become the first amateur to do the Gold Cup/Grand National double when he rides Oscar Time in Saturday’s big race.
The Red Rum Handicap Chase at 4.15 looks a tough race to call, with a number of runners making appeal. Colin Tizzard’s Oiseau De Nuit and Paul Nicholls’ Woolcombe Folly could prove too good for the competition and the fact that both have comprehensively beaten Tanks For That in recent meetings makes them far more attractive propositions than the Henderson runner. David Pipe’s Leo’s Lucky Star wasn’t too far behind Oiseau De Nuit at Cheltenham and, on better terms, could turn the tables on his rival.
The Totesport Manifesto Novices’ Chase is an opportunity for another Cheltenham disappointment, Medermit, to win over some racing fans. The Alan King runner was disappointing when beaten by Captain Chris in the Arkle and with the Philip Hobbs’ runner absent from Aintree, he will be looking for some redemption. Hobbs could, however, scupper King again with Wishfull Thinking, who was runner-up to Noble Prince in this year’s Supreme Novices’ Chase.
Race of the Day
The race of the day on Thursday is the festival opener. Big Buck’s and Grand Crus renew acquaintances in the BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle and, aside from the Grand National itself; this could be the race of the week.
Banker of the Day
Having finished an impressive second to Long Run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the popular Denman returns to the racecourse at Aintree on Thursday and is a cut above the field in the totesport Bowl Chase. He is currently a best price of 6/5 with the race sponsors.
Free Bet of the Day
Paddy Power has joined forces with Bettingpro to offer readers an exclusive £100 in free bets on the Grand National. Simply sign-up for a new account using bonus code MAXIMUMBONUS to claim yours today.
Channel 4/1+ Offer
If you back a winner at odds of 4/1 in any race being shown live on channel 4 then
bet365 will give you a free bet of the same stake on the next race.
Racecards at Bettingpro
Aintree 2.00 BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle
Aintree 2.30 Matalan Anniversary 4-year-old Juvenile Hurdle
Aintree 3.05 totesport Bowl Chase
Aintree 3.40 John Smiths’ Fox Hunter Chase
Aintree 4.15 matalan.co.uk Red Rum Handicap Chase
Aintree 4.50 totesport Manifesto Novices’ Chase
Aintree 5.15 Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle
Bookmaker Update
The bookies are getting excited about the week’s racing and are falling over themselves to offer punters free bets on the Grand National. The offers are available all week and if you don’t already have an account, Aintree week is the perfect time to open one. We’ve listed the best offers below for you.
One of the most popular and trusted bookmakers for those looking to make the transition from the high street to internet betting is Ladbrokes. The popular UK based firm offer all the same markets, and more, online that they do in all of their stores and will give customers who sign-up for a new account in time for the Grand National up to £60 in free bets.
Similarly, William Hill is a name that is known and trusted in the UK due to their presence on the high street. Hills website is fast and easy to use and they will give a free £25 bet to players opening a new account this week. You can also bet on the Grand National with confidence throughout the week as William Hill offer Non Runner No Bet on the race, meaning if your pick is a late withdrawal then your stake will be returned.
Paddy Power is also Non Runner No Bet and they are giving punters extra value on the National, by paying out on the top 5 finishers in the race. The popular Irish firm, known for their fantastic bonus offers are giving Bettingpro readers £100 in free bets when they open a new account using bonus code MAXIMUMBONUS.
Another firm paying out five places on the Grand National are Paddy’s compatriots Boylesports, who will give new customers a free £40 bet when they open an account using MAXIMUMBONUS.
Bet365 will not only pay on the top five places and give a £200 free bet to new customers but the online giants are also running a promotion where they will give all punters who back a winner, at odds of 4/1 or greater, on any live Channel 4 race a free bet up to the value of £50.
Victor Chandler is not only an established high street bookmaker who has a hugely popular advert, featuring Paddy McGuinness, but they also have one of the bets websites around. Users can read big race previews before placing bets at Best Odds Guaranteed and for the Grand National they will pay the top five finishers. New customers can claim a free £25 bet on the race.
Finally, Blue Square are gearing up for the Grand National with a £20 free bet, which can be claimed from an initial deposit of just £5 when using bonus code MAXIMUMBONUS. The firm will, like their competitors, pay out on the top five finishers in the Aintree showpiece and also offer Non Runner No Bet insurance.
