Aintree Day 3 Tips: Selections On Grand National Day From @RoadCheltenham

The third and final day of Aintree’s 2025 Grand National meeting is here and the eyes of the world will be on Merseyside for the feature race on Saturday afternoon.

Here, I pick out my five best bets on Day 3 – including a live chance for that man Willie Mullins in the Grand National!

13:55 Aintree - Mersey Novices' Hurdle

Paul Nicholls had a winner with Sans Bruit on Thursday and REGENT’S STROLL has a decent chance of going close in the Mersey Novices Hurdle on Saturday. His form looks strong enough, especially after The New Lion’s victory in what looked like a hot renewal of the Turners Novices Hurdle at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Much has been made of his £660,000 price tag, but the horse doesn’t know how much he cost and I’m hoping that the application of a hood helps him to settle. Harry Cobden takes the ride and it’ll be interesting to see if he goes forward as he has to good effect already this week or if he tries to drop him in.

Lulamba is the obvious danger and he gets the 10lbs weight allowance, which puts him miles clear on ratings. However, he had a tough enough race in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and that may take its toll. I’ll be backing Regent’s Stroll to finish in the places – and with a bit of luck he might even emerge victorious.

14:30 Aintree - William Hill Handicap Chase

Yet to race beyond 2m4f under rules, IMPERIAL SAINT is a fascinating runner in this race and I give him a huge chance if he gets the trip. If I’m being completely honest, I don’t think he really needs to improve too much in order to win what looks like a fairly sub-par renewal to my eye.

There are one or two unexposed, improving types in the race and I suppose Imperial Saint fits into that category as well – with no form over the extended trip. The Philip Hobbs & Johnson White yard are firing right now, with five winners from their last 21 runners and that’s a big positive for his chances.

In addition, Imperial Saint is 3-3 at Aintree and he’ll relish the quick ground. All five of his victories under rules have come with good in the going description and the ground could be rattling quick come Grand National day. He’s a great each way price at the time of writing and I can’t see him out of the places.

15:05 Aintree - Liverpool Hurdle

The decision to skip Cheltenham with STRONG LEADER may prove prudent as he arrives here fresh – unlike many of his rivals. Olly Murphy’s mount ran out an impressive winner of the race last year and he clearly has a liking for flat tracks, and the quicker ground will do his chances no harm at all.

He was a clear winner of the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November but things haven’t gone right for him since then. He had a wind operation prior to his run in the Cleeve Hurdle and he ran with credit considering he consistently underperforms at Cheltenham. It would be foolish to judge him on his most recent efforts.

There are a couple of flies in the ointment; including the Willie Mullins-trained Kitzbuhel who very much fits into the ‘could be anything’ category. Teahupoo is the class horse in the race but I’m not convinced Aintree will suit so I’m happy to take him on.

16:00 Aintree - Grand National

Landing on just one in a 34-runner field is never easy but I give MINELLA COCOONER a huge chance of going very close in Saturday’s Grand National. The quick ground will suit him and his form in big staying handicaps looks strong – he was third behind antepost favourite Intense Raffles in the Irish Grand National last term.

He has been campaigned with this race in mind all year and I’m hoping that Jonathan Burke – an interesting jockey booking to say the least – can get a tune out of his mount over the Aintree fences. I’d say it’s a slight concern that one of Willie Mullins’ riders isn’t on board but Burke is more than capable of steering Minella Cocooner round.

Mullins has a very strong hand in this year’s race and while I Am Maximus is the stable’s best hope to clinch back-to-back wins, I’m expecting Minella Cocooner to be bang there at the finish and hopefully he’ll get his head in front.

17:00 Aintree - Maghull Novices' Chase

I wouldn’t be the biggest fan of L’EAU DU SUD but I believe he is a worthy favourite and the one to beat in the Grade 1 Maghull Novices Chase. He hit the front too soon in last month’s Arkle at Cheltenham and I’m expecting Harry Skelton to hold onto his mount until the last possible moment.

Aintree’s long straight should suit him if he is held up and there is a good pace to aim at and I’m expecting him to reverse form with Only By Night. The mare is versatile with regards to ground but she’s short enough in the betting and I’d say Dan Skelton’s mount is the more talented animal.

It doesn’t look like the strongest renewal of this race and L’Eau Du Sud can give Skelton a much needed winner as he looks to cement his status at the top of the British trainers championship.