Day 1 betting: The Grand National Festival with William Hill

Day 2: Ladies Day | Day 3: Grand National Day | Grand National Betting Guide

Just weeks after the drama of the Cheltenham Festival, attention moves to Merseyside for the start of the Grand National Festival, where William Hill is the official betting partner.

Over three days of high-quality National Hunt racing some of the stars will bid for more glory, starting on the Opening Day on Thursday, 13th April.

It couldn’t get off to a better start with each of the first four races on day one being Grade 1s. Plus, there’s a chance to see the Grand National fences jumped in the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase.

Here’s a look at all the races on the Opening Day of Aintree’s Grand National Festival.

Ahead of the action, check out our latest horse racing odds and offers for the Grand National Festival.

2023 Opening Day Betting Guide

The first race of the 2023 Grand National Festival is the Manifesto Novices Chase at 13:45, where some of the smartest chasers get another shot at Grade 1 glory.

Then the juveniles get their turn to shine in the 4-Y-O Hurdle (14:20) that could see some of the Cheltenham Festival contenders go to post. Brazil, the 2022 Fred Winter winner, could only muster a third-place finish in dramatic renewal last year that saw Pied Piper and Knight Salute dead-heat before the stewards demoted Pied Piper.

One of the big races during the three days is the Aintree Bowl (14:55) that will miss dual winner Clan Des Obeaux. However, a stellar cast is still likely to take to the stage. Bravemansgame ran a cracker in defeat in the Gold Cup and could get a taste of Grade 1 success, while A Plus Tard and Shishkin could also turn up.

The William Hill Aintree Hurdle (15:30) could give us another chance to see the classy Constitution Hill after his emphatic Champion Hurdle success. His trainer Nicky Henderson has won this race five times, including last year with Epatante.

Latenightpass will be out to defend his title in the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (16:05), while runner-up in the St James’s Place Open Hunters’ Chase at Cheltenham Its On The Line could take his chance.

The card wraps up with two races named in honour of Aintree legends. The 2m handicap chase is named after three-time Grand National winner Red Rum, while there’s a mares’ bumper named after the last mare to win the famous steeplechase – Nickel Coin.

Clan Des Obeaux won last season’s Aintree Bowl.

Opening Day Results 2022

Let’s take a look back at who entered the winners’ enclosure on the Opening Day at the 2022 Grand National Festival.

It started with an emphatic 10-length success for Millers Bank in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase, giving Alex Hales and Kielan Woods their first Grade 1 success.

There was drama in the 4-Year-Old Juvenile Hurdle when Knight Salute and Pied Piper passed the post together. However, the stewards noted interference in the closing stages from Pied Piper resulting him being demoted to second.

Clan Des Obeaux defended his crown in the Aintree Bowl despite a few mistakes on his way around. He held off Conflated who stayed on well to reduce the winning margin, while Kemboy came home third.

Epatante proved in a league of her own in the Aintree Hurdle when gliding clear of her rivals to land the Grade 1 by 14 lengths. Paul Nicholls pair Monmiral and McFabulous finishing as the best of the rest.

The Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase looked likely to be a battling finish between Latenightpass and Cat Tiger at the Elbow, but Latenightpass’ stamina saw him come home 1¼ lengths clear.

There was a Welsh winner on the Opening Day provided by The Last Day in the Grade 3 Red Rum Handicap Chase. The 10-year-old showed no ill effects from his fall at Haydock to claim the prize. While you can’t keep Willie Mullins out of the spotlight as Ashroe Diamond scooted clear to land the bumper by six lengths.