Grand National Day Tips: RoadCheltenham’s Aintree Day 3 NAP, NB and 2 Each-Way Picks for Saturday 11 April

Fresh from backing a 3/1 winner on the opening day, I’m back with my best bets for the third and final day of the 2026 Aintree Grand National Festival. As always, I’m bringing you a NAP and a NB, as well as TWO Each Way bets on Saturday’s feature race.

The big one gets underway at 4pm and the eyes of the sporting world will be on Aintree for one of the highlights of the year. Without further ado, let’s get down to business and get straight on with things – starting with my best bet on Day 3.

NAP (BEST BET)

12:45 Aintree - Maghull Novices' Chase

My strongest fancy of the day comes in the opener and SALVATOR MUNDI looks well placed to add a second Grade 1 victory to his record. Available at odds against at the time of writing, that could look like a massive price come Saturday evening.

He can be a tad inconsistent but if he brings his A-game then the rest are competing for second. He was supreme when winning at Thurles in February and he jumped incredibly well and that is a huge asset over this minimum trip.

Connections made the decision to bypass Cheltenham in favour of Aintree and it might turn out to be a smart move. On paper, he’s probably the most exciting prospect in this race and hopefully he produces a top class performance.

GRAND NATIONAL BEST BETS

16:00 Aintree - Grand National

The Grand National has been the plan for JORDANS all year and he seemed to relish the nature of Aintree when finishing second in a Grade 1 novice chase 12 months ago. Ben Jones has been booked to ride and he’s been in excellent form this season, operating at a strike rate of 34% over fences.

Joseph O’Brien is a shrewd target trainer and I can envision this Coastal Path gelding running a massive race if everything goes to plan. He mightn’t have the ‘class’ of some of his rivals but he’s certainly got a National profile and the quick ground will suit.

A second selection in the feature, JAGWAR will wear first-time cheekpieces at Aintree on Saturday and hopefully they work the trick. He’s undoubtedly talented yet he is prone to a mistake or two and he’s a real contender if he can put it all together here.

Mark Walsh has been booked to ride and it would be some story if he could give owner JP McManus another National winner. Walsh will be replaced by Harry Cobden in the retained rider role as of May and he’s been riding out of his skin since that decision was made. I’m hoping he can produce his best form and if he does, he has his chance.

NEXT BEST

17:00 Aintree - Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race

Paul Townend rides LOOK ME for Simon Munir & Isaac Souede and I’m expecting him to go very close. Connections like to save some of their nicer types for this meeting and it’ll be interesting to see if support comes for my selection – he has some decent form in the book and this horse has always been held in high regard.

The quicker ground is an unknown but I can’t see it being an issue for him. Bass Hunter is a worthy favourite on all known form but I’m happy enough to take him on, especially with a fresh horse that has been saved for this meeting.

Connections had the winner of this race last year in Green Splendour and I’ll have my fingers crossed that Willie Mullins can end the meeting on a high. If everything goes to plan, I can see Townend producing his mount in the closing stages and powering away up the Aintree straight.