Aintree Tips: Best Bets on Grand Sefton Day (2025)

First run in 1865 the Grand Sefton was the most important of the four jumps events at the Autumn meeting and regularly attracted a host of National prospects both past and future.

That doesn’t quite happen as much these days, as the distance, and the conditions of the race have changed, but you sometimes do get horses contesting both the Grand Sefton and the Grand National in the same season.

Perhaps some of their trainers may even be interested in landing our newly sponsored “William Hill Half A Mill” bonus this season?

12.20pm – 2m4f EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (Class 3) (4-6yo)

On a card that contains an actual race sponsored by Pertemps, wouldn’t it be rather apt if their own horse PERTEMPS (NAP), win this novices’ hurdle.

The youngster ran two promising races in bumpers last season, and the Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen combination is the betting deal breaker for me.

12.55pm – 3m½f  Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (4yo+)

Owner Diana Whateley has plenty of top quality horses coming through the ranks, and many of them are stabled with Olly Murphy, one of our trainers to follow this jumps season.

CHASING FIRE showed us he was pretty smart when accounting for The Real Whacker at Perth, albeit over hurdles, but the result holds plenty of merit. Victorious in seven races already, the eight-year-old looks a big player.

1.30pm – 3m1f  Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) (4yo+)

122-rated ANDY AMO comes into this event on the back of a superb season of hurdling, culminating in a brilliant run in a Listed race at Fairyhouse in April.

Rebecca Curtis now sends this Sageburg-gelding chasing, and one would like to think that the six-year-old will know the job in hand. Sean Bowen takes the ride which is another massive plus.

2.05pm – 2m Handicap Chase (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130)

A little bit of Jonesy in my life, a little bit of Pauling by my side, will be the perfect alternative lyrics should MAMBONUMBERFIVE collect the silverware in this handicap chase.

The French recruit ran in some Graded juvenile hurdles last season, successfully picking up the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton in the process. He should progress even further now over the bigger obstacles.

2.40pm – 2m5f William Hill Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (Class 2) (6yo+)

A healthy looking field of 17 runners will line up on Saturday afternoon to negotiate 18 fences over the 2m5f Grand National course.

One stand out entry is that of WHITE RHINO, who jumped liked a stag on his first two chases, then later suffered a bleed after his last outing in the Grimthorpe Chase.

Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero apparently have the nine-year-old firing on all cylinders again and the man of the moment is in the saddle.

3.15pm – 2m1f Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-120)

Alan King has found a nice little opening for DON’T MIND IF I DO to kick start his season in this weekend.

After four workmanlike efforts in the novice division last term, the five-year-old is going down the handicap route and has a fair enough weight to carry.

King has a decent record at Aintree, so Don’t Mind If I Do is well worth an interest in our horse racing betting.

3.50pm – 2m1f William Hill  “Junior” National Hunt Flat Race  (Class 4) (3yo)

Some good horses have come out of this particular bumper down the years, and it would be nice to think that Jonjo O’Neill’s GARRINCHA can fit into that mould.

The breeding is certainly there, being sired by Doctor Dino, so a second look at our sports betting is well advised.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*