Grand National

Aintree Day 1 Tips 2026: El Fabiolo Heads Steve Mullington’s Best Bets On Thursday

31 minutes ago

| BY Steve Mullington

Declarations for Day One of the 2026 Aintree Festival are now confirmed, with names such as Jango Baie, Lulamba, and The New Lion heading the betting markets for the featured races, but will they all oblige?

See the Latest Grand National Odds at William Hill

Our horse racing expert Steve Mullington runs us through Thursday’s card:

1.45pm Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

The entries for this race include Maestro Conti, second in the Triumph Hurdle, and MINELLA STUDY, third in the Triumph , with the preference just going to the latter named.

Aintree should suit the horse’s high cruising speed and tactical versatility, and his 143 rating is well justified.

2.20pm William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f

LULAMBA has been one of the standout novice chasers of the season, maintaining an unbeaten record over fences until he found Kargese just too good for him at the Cheltenham Festival.

On all know form he’s the one to beat here, with a possible danger being Henry De Bromhead’s Koktail Divin.

2.55pm Racing Welfare Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m

The Bowl often serves as a “consolation” or rematch for Gold Cup horses, and coming here from this year’s renewal is the runner-up to Gaelic Warrior in the March showpiece – Nicky Henderson’s JANGO BAIE.

The classy seven-year-old has a decent record at this venue, including a Grade 1 success over hurdles.

3.30pm Randox Foxhunters’ Chase 2m 5f

GABORIOT has a notable affinity for the Grand National course and at odds off around 20/1 in the betting, cannot be ignored in this Hunter Chase.

Second behind Colonel Harry in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over these same fences, you have to think that the ten-year-old will be rejuvenated by a return to this venue.

Others to consider are the Cheltenham Festival scorer Barton Snow and Unexpected Party who romped home in Haydock’s Walrus Hunter Chase in February.

4.05pm William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

The Champion Hurdle second, third and fourth face each other again on Merseyside, but my vote goes to a non-Cheltenham starter in EL FABIOLO (NAP) who ran at Leopardstown 38 days ago instead.

Willie Mullins mentioned several high-level targets for El Fabiolo in the spring, and the one he has finally opted for is this Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle. I find that decision highly significant, and he can brush away the slightly jaded opposition here as a relatively fresh horse.

At odds of around 5/1 in our market, he’s a strong bet.

4.40pm Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m

Serial winner of this race Sans Bruit is unsurprisingly well fancied to register yet another victory, but his form this term is far too suspect for my liking so I am siding with the progressive JAVERT ALLEN from the Jane Williams yard.

I feel the seven-year-old has been crying out for some better ground underfoot, and it should be just perfect for him on Thursday off a nice handicap mark.

5.15pm Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m

Trainer Alan King isn’t backwards at coming forwards when it comes to the big meetings, and really rates his mare MARTINI MAJESTY (NB).

Bought for £9,500 as a yearling, Martini Majesty, is closely related to the much-lamented Group 1 winning stayer Trueshan, and “Kingy” is hopeful she will prove to be quite smart. She should also be decent price in our sports betting market too.