Grand National

Aintree Lucky 15 Tips For Day 1 At The Grand National Meeting

5 months ago

| BY Alex McMahon

Our writer casts his eye over the action at Aintree on Day 1 of the Grand National meeting, with a Lucky 15 across Thursday afternoon.

A Lucky 15 bet involves 15 bets across four different selections. Your bets are: 4 single bets, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold accumulator.

Here is our suggested Lucky 15 bet for Aintree today:

SELECTION 1 – CROKE PARK (1.45pm – Manifesto Novices Chase)

CROKE PARK brings a high level of form to this race and he will take some pegging back if he is allowed to establish an early lead. He is a superb jumper of a fence and I can see him putting a few of his rivals under pressure if Sam Ewing gets him into a rhythm.

The likes of Impaire Et Passe and Jango Baie may prefer to be held up and it can be quite difficult to come from off the pace at Aintree. The Gordon Elliott runner is a strong stayer over this trip and the long run-in will surely enhance his chances of success.

SELECTION 2 – GREY DAWNING (2.55pm – Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase)

This race looks more competitive than initially expected but I fancy GREY DAWNING – who is also my NAP on Day 1 at Aintree – to get the job done. He was brilliant at Kelso the last day and that should’ve put him just right for this Grade 1, having had to settle for second behind Royale Pagaille in the Betfair Chase in November.

The Skelton team are quietly confident and I’d be surprised if Grey Dawning wasn’t in the mix turning for home. He’s versatile with regards to ground while some of his rivals would want softer conditions and I’m hoping he can prevail on Thursday afternoon.

SELECTION 3 – LOSSIEMOUTH (3.30pm – William Hill Aintree Hurdle)

I’ve decided to take a chance on LOSSIEMOUTH in the Aintree Hurdle, though there is little doubt that Constitution Hill is the right favourite. Having said that, 2m4f around a fast track like Aintree will certainly be right up her street and I’m expecting Paul Townend to put his rival under intense pressure.

She just couldn’t go the gallop round Kempton at Christmas yet wasn’t too far adrift of her rival come the finish. The extended trip will see her to best effect and it’ll be a really interesting tactical battle between Townend and Nico de Boinville – and I’m hoping the mare can get her head in front.

SELECTION 4 – SANS BRUIT (4.40pm – Red Rum Handicap Chase)

SANS BRUIT was fantastic when winning this race 12 months ago and he runs here off the same mark – having been dropped 13lbs over the course of the campaign. He has been given an interesting ride on more than one occasion this year and I’m hoping to see him adopt prominent tactics on Thursday.

Harry Cobden takes the ride and that is a huge positive to his chances – and I’m fully expecting him to be found in the horse racing betting market before the off. If he lines up to go forward, I’d be very hopeful of a big run and he could be the one they all have to beat.