Jane Mangan
Jane Mangan’s William Hill blog: Aintree Grand National Festival 2026 Day One best bets
William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan is here to preview the opening day of the 2026 Grand National Festival at Aintree, with selections from the big races on Day One.
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Aintree, Thursday
The opening contest, the Grade One four-year-old juvenile hurdle (1:45pm), is a fascinating renewal with many of the Triumph contenders returning to reoppose. I thought Minella Study had the Triumph at his mercy for much of his run, he perhaps hit the front a little soon and I expect jockey Ryan Mania to delay his challenge and play his cards later this time around – he’s a big player. I also really like Winston Junior. He finished second to Minella Study back in December and ran a huge race in the Fred Winter at the festival. I think the British juveniles have it between them this year and will fight out the finish.
Moving on to the Grade One Aintree Bowl (2:55pm), where there are five runners declared. It was hugely frustrating to miss the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month with Spillane’s Tower but the fact that we are coming here with a fresh horse could be the winning of this race. My parents were very happy with him going into Cheltenham and nothing has changed. With many of the main protagonists having to back up from the Festival, I think he will taking an awful lot of beating.
Barton Snow is the one that they all must beat in the Hunters’ Chase (3:30pm), given his performance at Cheltenham. He was given a very patient ride that day and the drop back in trip will be no issue for him. With that said, I’m siding with It’s On The Line. He was narrowly denied by Barton Snow at Cheltenham, recording his third second place finish in the race. Derek O’Connor is brilliant riding over these fences and he is very consistent. He could be the one to put it up to Barton Snow.
The Grade One William Hill Aintree Hurdle (4:05pm) is a fabulous race and I think this is The New Lion’s perfect conditions. He never struck me as a two-miler, and I thought he got done for pace at Cheltenham by Lossiemouth. He has optimum conditions here in a small field and the set-up looks absolutely perfect for him. He can gain revenge, turn the form around with Brighterdaysahead and win the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.
The Grade Two Nickel Coin Mares’ Bumper (5:15pm) has attracted a deep field, but it is hard to get away from how good Princess Day was at Newbury. She beat the reopposing Fairy Park as she liked under Lorcan Williams who retains the ride. She looks to be a mare on the up for Jeremy Scott, and I think she can justify favouritism in the final contest of the day.
