Grand National

Aintree Day 2 Tips 2026: Mildmay Magic On Ladies Day

17 seconds ago

| BY News Team

The William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase, Melling Chase and the Topham Chase are the three feature contests on “Ladies Day” as the action from Merseyside’s premier racecourse continues into a second enthralling day.

Our horse racing expert Steve Mullington guides us through the seven race card:

1.45pm William Hill Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

The opening race is as wide open as the Mersey Tunnel, but I am suggesting an each-way flutter on the Alan King-trained FAVOUR AND FORTUNE.

Sporting the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings, a name synonymous to Aintree Racecourse down the years, the eight-year-old finished third in this very race twelve months ago.

King has obviously targeted this event again, and Favour And Fortune can build upon his February effort at Kempton.

2.20pm William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 3m

MIAMI MAGIC (NAP) was targeted at Aintree after connections opted to swerve the Cheltenham Festival to be fresh for the Grand National meeting.

Stuart Edmunds confirmed the step up to three miles for the Mildmay after the seven-year-old scored by 15 lengths over a trip of nearly three miles at Newbury at the end of February. The Leading Light-gelding can go well again.

2.55pm ThatPrizeGuy Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m

Sober Glory is highly likely to go off at odd-on after his Supreme Hurdle second, but I thought that he had a really hard race at Cheltenham and I shall be opposing him with STARTING FIFTEEN who has been sent over to the UK by Irish trainer, Eric McNamara.

The five-year-old has had a nice break and can go well fresh at an each-way price.

3.30pm JCB Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m4f

If there was ever an overpriced horse in our odds today, then it’s JPR ONE in the Melling Chase.

The nine-year-old heads to the Grade 1 contest following a strong fourth-place finish in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month. He can lead this race from the front and hopefully can stay there.

4.05pm Randox Topham Handicap Chase 2m5f

Described as a “Graded horse in a handicap” by Skelton himself, MADARA jumped like a stag to record a seven-and-a-half-length success from Will The Wise in the Grade 2 Handicap Plate at the Cheltenham Festival.

If the seven-year-old takes to these unique Grand National fences then he could well jump them silly here too.

Obviously Will The Wise enters calculations too, plus those looking for an outsider should consider Mahons Glory, who almost pulled off winning the Grand Sefton Chase here.

4.40pm Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m

The six-year-old grey gelding JOHNNY’S JURY (NB) is the form horse of the race following a spectacular victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

The 147-rated hurdler can bring up the four-timer on another big stage.

5.15pm Debenhams Handicap Hurdle (Conditional & Amateur Riders) 2m

Benjamin Macey will be the man entrusted by the O’Neill yard to bring WRECKLESS ERIC home in front in the closing Day Two handicap hurdle.

After a spell of poor performances, the six-year-old sprung back to form in the Imperial Cup at Sandown, finishing runner-up once more after filling the same spot 12 months earlier.

Macey will be out to prove that Sandown was no fluke, and Wreckless Eric looks a decent each-way bet in our sports betting market.