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Day 2 of the Aintree Grand National Festival takes place on Friday 8th April
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Live on ITV/STV from 1:45PM
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1:45PM 20 Years Together, Alder Hey & Aintree Handicap Hurdle
Langer Dan races here off of only 2lb higher then when 2nd to Galopin Des Champs at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021. That form line suggests he is one the best handicapped horses in the country, throw in the fact he’s only a 6 year old and open to more progression he rates as a confident pick to get favourite backers off to a flyer in the opener.
Rockadenn shaped with lots of promise as a young horse for Paul Nicholls, he has since switched yards to the less powerful Alistar Ralph. Things have not been great for Rockadeen since switching but there are sprinkles of hope to suggest he can outrun his odds as outsider of the field. 3 starts back he was a decent 2nd at Haydock off of 135 (races here of off 132), Haydock on heavy ground is the most specialist course and ground combo in Britain and Ireland. But it hinted at Rockedem retaining some spark and offered hope that connections can get him to come back near his best. He has numerous placed efforts off of higher marks. He is only a 6 year old and looks a good E/W bet for all the favourite will be hard to beat here.
Paul has picked out the following bets for Race 1 👇🏼
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Langer Dan to Win Outright
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Rockadenn E/W
2:20PM Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle
First Street comes here having run very well at Cheltenham, when finishing runner up to a horse who on the face of it was chucked in. As a result he is rated the same as his much shorter priced stable mate Jonbon. Jonbon is open to more improvement than First Street being lighter raced, but there is also a bigger chance that Cheltenham left its mark on Jonbon. He came home slow and tired. The county was a well-run affair but not as strong as the supreme. At the current odds First Street gets my vote.
Vina Ardanza is a big price but comes into this unexposed, and not as much to find as his price suggested. He was a good 2nd in Grade 3 company last time out. He was poorly placed in rear and did well to get so close. He travelled too well into the race, hitting the front coming to the last before being challenged up the run in and only giving in late on. I think there’s more to come from him making him a great E/W bet.
Paul has picked out the following bet for Race 2 👇🏼
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First Street to Win Outright
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Vina Ardanza E/W
2:55PM Betway Mildway Novices’ Chase
L’homme Presse was an impressive winner at Cheltenham. Backing up so quick is a concern but his finishing speed % suggests he didn’t have the hardest of races and I rate his form better than Bravemangames, making L’homme Press the one to back.
Paul has picked out the following bet for Race 3 👇🏼
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L’Homme Press to Win Outright
3:30PM Marsh Chase
Sceau Royal’s form is not far off Fakir Doudaris in here but yet Sceau Royal is a much bigger price. His 2nd to Funanbule Sivola was a good effort considering it was his first chase at the start of the season. A mistake at the 4th last proved costly but that run is likely to sharpen his jumping up. Funamule Sivola went on to be a good 2nd at Cheltenham but that was a tough race that could have left its mark, that along with sharpening up for the experience Sceau Royal rates a good bet here.
I’m convinced Saint Calvados is a much better horse then we have seen this season. He got a desperate ride in the King George, making his move far too early. He then bled on heavy ground at Ascot last time. Paul Nicholls is very hopeful that the return to better ground will bring the best out of Saint Calvados. If he’s within a few lb of his best he’ll win this. I’m very hopeful he can hit the frame here and maybe even win.
Paul has picked out the following bets for Race 4 👇🏼
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Sceau Royal to Win Outright
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Saint Calvados E/W
4:05PM Randox Topham Handicap Chase
Senior Citizen brings the best national fences form into this. He was 3rd in this race off of a 6lb lower mark. He comes here this year in better form in my opinion and given he has proven himself with this type test he looks a solid E/W play towards the top of the market.
Foxy Jacks ran very well at Cheltenham. On the face of it being beaten 27 lengths and only dropped a pound means he has little chance here but he made his move quite early. That was compounded by some very poor jumps. His jumping is a clear concern but given how well he shaped at a big price I’ll take a chance he respects the new obstacles. They may also get him to settle, if they grab his attention he is capable of playing a big role.
Paul has picked out the following bets for Race 4 👇🏼
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Senior Citizen E/W
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Foxy Jacks E/W
4:40PM Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices’ Hurdle
Skytastic comes in here the least exposed of those towards the top of the market. On official ratings he has 9lb to find with the favourite. A lot of that can be expected with natural improvement, throw in the fact Skytastic looked laboured and bogged down in heavy ground at Ascot last time he could well improve plenty for the return to nice ground. His stable is in good form and I’m backing him to retain his unbeaten record.
Bold Endeavour shaped like stepping up to 3 miles would really suit him when 3rd in Grade 2 company last time out. He is a bit more exposed then Skytastic and has to find a similar amount of improvement but the step up to 3 miles will help and he is a very big price considering this. He gets my E/W support here.
Paul has picked out the following bets for Race 5 👇🏼
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Skytastic to Win Outright
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Bold Endeavour E/W
Interested in backing Paul’s tips? Get £60 in free bets when you join Paddy Power and place a £10 bet on the 1:45 Aintree. Click the image above to claim the offer.
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How to watch Day 2 of the Aintree Grand National Festival
📅 When is Day 2 of the Aintree Grand National Festival? / Friday, 8th April from 13:45pm
🏟 Where is Day 2 of the Aintree Grand National Festival? / Aintree Racecourse
📺 What TV channel is Day 2 of the Aintree Grand National Festival? / ITV & STV