Aintree Day 1 Tips: Thursday Best Bets From @RoadCheltenham

The 2025 Grand National meeting is upon us and I’m here with my five best bets for each day – hopefully I can find a couple of winners to get the iconic Aintree meeting off to a flyer!

Willie Mullins is so often the man to follow at the major spring festivals, so it’ll be no surprise to see two Closutton horses tipped up in the Grade 1 races. Without further ado let’s get stuck into my best bets on Day 1 at Aintree.

13:45 Aintree - Manifesto Novices' Chase

IMPAIRE ET PASSE brings genuine Grade 1 form to the race – both over hurdles and over fences – and I fancy him quite strongly. He won the Aintree Hurdle at last year’s meeting and he can notch a fifth Grade 1 in the opener on Thursday afternoon.

Paul Townend is back on board after deserting him for Ballyburn at the Dublin Racing Festival and he is riding with supreme confidence right now. The Closutton yard will be hoping for a big week and Impaire Et Passe is one of their best chances on Thursday.

He needs to reverse DRF form with Croke Park but I’m expecting a much improved effort from Impaire Et Passe – that wasn’t his true running the last day. Fresher horses often do well at Aintree and he can take advantage after skipping the Cheltenham Festival.

14:20 Aintree - 4YO Anniversary Hurdle

I fancied NATURALLY NIMBLE for the Fred Winter but connections opted to skip the race after the BHA handicapper’s assessment. Instead, he comes here for the Grade 1 and that speaks volumes as to just how talented he is.

J J Slevin is a fantastic jockey and he’ll be in the saddle and he can record a confidence boosting success ahead of a huge meeting for him. He is booked to ride Intense Raffles in the Grand National on Saturday and it’d be great to ease the pressure with a winner on Day 1.

I was at Fairyhouse when Naturally Nimble beat Willy De Houelle and he had plenty in hand that day. It’ll be interesting to see if he is up to Grade 1 standard – he’ll certainly have no problem whatsoever with the quicker conditions and he has a live chance.

15:30 Aintree - Aintree Hurdle

Constitution Hill is the right favourite but I’m siding with LOSSIEMOUTH to get the better of her rival here. Seven runners go to post but it’s all about the top two in the market and we are in for a fascinating rematch after their Kempton battle earlier in the season.

Nicky Henderson’s mount came out on top that day but Lossiemouth flopped – and this race looks much more up her street. The 2m4f trip should give her the advantage and I for one cannot wait to see how the race unfolds. The tactics between Paul Townend and Nico de Boinville should be very interesting indeed.

Lossiemouth was much the best when winning the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham and we will learn more about her credentials at the top level on Thursday. Make sure you’re sat down in front of the television for this one – you won’t want to miss it.

16:05 Aintree - Foxhunters

Formerly trained by Dan Skelton, MY DROGO has a great chance of winning the Hunters Open Chase. He is streets ahead of this field on his best form and he remains the best rated horse in the race – throw in the jockey booking of William Biddick and he is well and truly the one to beat.

Annamix was well fancied for this race last year but he flopped and he is difficult to trust if truth be told. My Drogo remains unexposed for a 10-year-old and he has course form in the book, having won the 2m4f Mersey Novices Hurdle in 2021. Connections decided to skip Cheltenham to keep him fresh with this race in mind.

17:15 Aintree - Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race

BETTY’S DAISY was superb when winning at Warwick in February, pulling clear of what looked like a decent enough field. Claim Du Brizais had a fair reputation going into the season and Betty’s Daisy finished some 23 lengths clear of her back in third – though the soft ground may have flattered the winner.

Ben Pauling is having a fantastic campaign and it’d be great to see connections win the Graded mares bumper in Thursday’s finale. She’s bred to get further in time but a strong pace should suit her running style and hopefully she’ll be coming home best of all under Ben Jones.

I like Jackie Hobbs as a prospect but I feel she’ll be a better animal on softer ground and her future undoubtedly lies over hurdles. She’d be my tentative second selection but I’m hoping Betty’s Daisy can get the job done.