Now it is time for our 2025 Aintree Grand National meeting Day 2 tips, see who Dave fancies below.
1.45 – Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
The one that looks a shade overpriced in the opener is Jordans.
Trained by Joseph O’Brien, this 6yo ran a decent race to finish fifth in the
Plate at Cheltenham last month. To be honest, I was surprised he went down that
route because on his previous start at Limerick, he shaped as though he’d be
well up to being competitive in Grade 1 company.
In that 19.5f contest he was held up off the pace and finished
off very nicely to take second, 4l behind Impaire Et Passe and we all saw what
he did here on Day 1.
The question is, will Jordans stay this much longer trip? He
is by Coastal Path and out of a Network dam, so he is bred along similar lines
to the likes of Ideal Des Bordes and Job, two horses that have both won over 3m
plus. His Limerick effort suggested he’d stay further and with odds of 18/1
available, it is worth taking the chance that he does.
2025 Aintree Grand National meeting Day 2 Tip: Jordans
e/w @ 18/1
2.20 – W Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier)
This is wide open. Elliott and Skelton have a decent recent
record in it and they have three runners between them this year. Skelton runs
two, the beaten Coral Cup gamble Be Aware with Harry Skelton on board and the
mare Listentoyourheart, who will be partnered by the 7lb claimer Harry Atkins.
Clearly, they think Be Aware is well handicapped given the
money that came at Cheltenham but he’s just 7/1 and this looks a tough assignment
for Listentoyourheart on her handicap debut. Beacon Edge is Gordon Elliott’s
sole representative and while he should run his race, it is hard to argue that
he is well treated off 145.
One that might go well at bigger odds is the Jonathan Sweeney
trained Western Walk. Back in May he finished a close up fourth in a hot 2m4f handicap
at the Punchestown Festival off 132, just his third handicap start. He then followed
that up with a fine second off a pound higher at Ballinrobe over 2m6f.
Beacon Edge finished 1.25l ahead of Western Walk at Punchestown
and Sweeney’s charge is weighted to turn that around. He had a spin around Naas
four weeks ago, which will have blown away any cobwebs, and while he stays further
than this, I am hoping they go a good gallop early and he finishes off strongly.
His form figures on ground with good in the description over
hurdles read 2412 and while he is an 8yo, he is relatively lightly raced so
there might be a bit more to come from him. At odds of 28/1, Western Walk is
the e/w selection.
2025 Aintree Grand National meeting Day 2 Tip: Western
Walk e/w @ 28/1 (5 places) NB
2.55 – Top Novice’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
A couple of the main protagonists from the Supreme rock up
in this 16.5f Grade 1. Romeo Coolio, who finished third, and Salavator Mundi,
who was 11l behind that rival back in fifth are 11/8 and 6/1 respectively. At
3/1 is Fergal O’Brien’s Tripoli Flyer, who swerved the Supreme on account of
the easy ground. He ran a cracker in a Grade 2 bumper at this meeting last year
and this test could be ideal for him. For me, he’s probably the one to beat.
The interesting one at bigger odds is the rapid improver,
Jet To Vegas. Trained by Lucinda Russell, who traditionally does well at this
festival, this son of Jetaway comes here on the back of a maiden hurdle win at
Ayr (16f, soft) and a Grade 2 win at Kelso, where he lowered the colours of a
well-backed Willie Mullins horse.
Now, this horse does have a tendency to jump a bit right
handed but it hasn’t stopped him from winning on left-handed tracks the last twice.
The handicapper gave him a rating of 137 for that Kelso victory, so he needs to
improve again on paper, but he’s done nothing but improve on his last couple of
starts so the trend could continue. At odds of 16/1, Jet To Vegas is the e/w selection.
2025 Aintree Grand National meeting Day 2 Tip: Jet To Vegas
e/w @ 16/1
3.30 – Melling Chase (grade 1)
Just four runners and a race I will not be getting involved
in. No strong opinion and no bet.
2025 Aintree Grand National meeting Day 2 Tip: No bet
4.05 – Topham Handicap Chase (Premier)
The one I’ve had my eye on for some time for this race is
Fantastic Lady. Trained by Nicky Henderson, this 10yo daughter of Network has a
fine record over the National fences. She was a touch unlucky to unseat at the
first in this race in 2022 but since then, she has finished second and sixth in
this in 2023 and 2024, and she’s just 1lb higher than when beaten 1.75l in that
2023 renewal.
All of her previous completed runs over these fences have come
on soft or heavy ground. This will be the first time she gets ground with good
in the description and four of her five career wins have come on that sort of a
surface. James Bowen has won on her before, her owner is 5/20 with seven top 4 finishes
at Aintree and if this mare gets a clear passage, she can hit the frame at odds
of 25/1.
2025 Aintree Grand National meeting Day 2 Tip: Fantastic
Lady e/w @ 25/1 (6 places) NAP
4.40 – Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
A very hard race to assess. Mister Meggitt hosed up in a
2m4f novice here on good ground in November on his seasonal reappearance and he
has been freshened up for a tilt at this. However, he’s no banker to stay 3m on
breeding and the fact that connections have decided to stick a tongue strap on is
another cause for concern for his backers.
A lot of runners here are stepping up to 3m for the first time
which further muddies the water. Julius Des Pictons is one of those but he has
run blinders on both starts at 2m4f and while he was beaten in a listed hurdle
at Exeter on his last start, that was over 2m.
He is by Cokoriko, a big stamina influence. His dam is unraced
and there is scant information about her lineage online but she is by the same
sire as Houblon Des Obeaux, a strong stayer. Julius Des Pictons finished just
0.75l behind Western Knight on his UK debut in an Uttoxeter maiden back in November
on good ground over 2m4f yet his is over twice the odds of that rival on
identical terms.
This isn’t one for maximum stakes but at 40/1, a small e/w
interest is advised.
2025 Aintree Grand National meeting Day 2 Tip: Julius Des
Pictons e/w @ 40/1 (4 places)
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