Grand National 2025: Aintree day one ideas together with Cheltenham winner Lossiemouth
Daily Star Sport’s chief tipster and racing expert Jason Heavey offers his race-by-race guide to day one of the Grand National meeting at Aintree on Thursday
It’s almost time for the biggest racing event of the season.
However, there’s more to Aintree than just the Grand National and the action all kicks off at 1:45pm on Thursday afternoon.
And Daily Star Sport Chief Tipster Jason Heavey offers his race-by-race guide to day one of the Grand National meeting at Aintree on Thursday…
1.45: Jango Baie can notch a famous big race double and follow up his thrilling Arkle Trophy success at Cheltenham last month.
Nicky Henderson’s six-year-old looked outpaced and beaten for most of the two-mile trip that was far too short for him. But with others making errors, he found his stride and flew up the hill to collar Only By Night and Majborough.
Today’s extra half mile will be ideal and the Arkle was only his third race of the season, so there may be more to come. Jango Baie was also a desperately unlucky loser over hurdles at this meeting last year.
Croke Park has been kept back for this after sidestepping Cheltenham. Winner of two Group One novice chases, Gordon Elliott’s raider has to cope with a quicker surface but comes into the reckoning if he handles it.
Impaire Et Passe was in flying form at this time last year but was a shade disappointing in his last race over fences and has a bit to prove. Gidleigh Park is also a player if he has put his heart issues behind him.
Rubaud will love the ground, is a fluent jumper and 12-1 looks a very tasty each-way price.
TIP: JANGO BAIE
Each-way: Rubaud
2.20: Punters should be going out on a limb to support Puturhandstogether (Nap).
Joseph O’Brien’s juvenile produced one of the most impressive performances at the Cheltenham Festival to win the Fred Winter Hurdle. He had loads in hand at the finish after travelling strongly, jumping slickly and then bounding up the hill.
Puturhandstogether arrives as the highest rated horse in the field and he is a confident choice to do the Festival double. His stablemate Naturally Nimble is one of the main dangers – he will be fresh for this after missing Cheltenham and has a serious chance.
Live Conti dotted up on his only start for Dan Skelton when he never came off the bridle at Wetherby and has clearly being aimed at this contest. However he beat nothing and he looks plenty short enough in the betting.
Aviemore appeals as an each-way punt. He is progressing nicely and came clear to win by 20 lengths at Huntingdon on his latest start. He is as big as 50-1 in places.
TIP: PUTURHANDSTOGETHER
Each-way: Aviemore
2.55: Ahoy Senor can continue his love affair with Aintree and land his third Grade One victory at the track.
Lucinda Russell’s 10-year-old loves Liverpool and after winning there in 2021 and 2022 he has since finished second twice in this race. Last year he was chinned by Gerri Colombe after dictating from the front.
Ahoy Senor was bowling along merrily in front in the Gold Cup last month when he fell at the 15th fence. That may prove a blessing as he did not have a hard race and he should be fresh for today.
He will have to improve on what he has shown so far this season but 13-2 is a nice price. While Ahoy Senor will be fine on the ground, it is a worry for Spillane’s Tower.
Jimmy Mangan’s star flopped in the King George at Kempton where he seemed to struggle on the tight track. So today’s fast track on quickening ground may not be a good fit.
The same may also apply to Grey Dawning, who did win well at Kelso and remains worthy favourite. Gaelic Warrior is fascinating. He often struggles on left hand tracks although he did win the Arkle in 2024.
He has had a low-key campaign with two below-par efforts at Leopardstown. But it may pay to wait for Punchestown with him. The better ground may bring about more improvement from The Real Whacker who is up to a podium place if in the mood at 25-1.
TIP: AHOY SENOR
Each-way: The Real Whacker
3.30: Lossiemouth can lower the colours of Constitution Hill in a fascinating head-to-head clash.
The mare ducked taking on Nicky Henderson’s star in the Champion Hurdle – a decision Willie Mullins probably regretted when you consider how the race turned out.
Instead, Lossiemouth breezed home in the Mares’ Hurdle while Constitution Hill took a heavy fall. The latter won a moderate renewal of this race two years ago but has to concede the 7lb sex allowance to Lossiemouth.
That could prove the difference and Lossiemouth is marginally preferred over a 2m4f trip that she could find more to her liking than the favourite. If there is to be a shock then Wodhooh, who did this tipster a big favour when winning at Cheltenham, is the one to pick up the pieces.
TIP: LOSSIEMOUTH
Each-way: Wodhooh
4.05: Famous Clermont is fancied to repeat his 2023 success in this race over the Grand National fences.
The 10-year-old absolutely bolted up two years ago and rarely has there been an easier winner of this contest. Conditions look ideal for James King’s mount. His stamina usually gives way over three miles so the 2m5f trip and drying ground are just the ticket.
He will need to be ridden patiently but he showed his wellbeing just 19 days ago with an easy victory in a point-to-point. It is an extremely competitive renewal with Lifetime Ambition, Willitgoahead and My Drogo vying for favouritism.
The latter is a Grade One winner (formerly with Dan Skelton) and has bounced back from obscurity with wins in a point to point and a hunter chase at Haydock. Occasionally this race can throw up a big price winner.
Yccs Portocervo appeals at a big price (40-1) and has jumped round the course before, Williewonga could outrun his odds (50-1) and Senior Citizen has been placed in this race before and looks overpriced at 66-1 especially as he has his ground.
TIP: FAMOUS CLERMONT
EW: Senior Citizen
4.40 Sans Bruit made all the running to win this contest 12 months ago and is tipped to do it again. Bryony Frost did the steering last year but she has an able deputy this time in Harry Cobden.
Sans Bruit races off exactly the same handicap mark after a moderate campaign this season and is weighted to win. If Cobden can dictate and dominate from the front, he has a very good chance.
My selection was a toss-up between Sans Bruit and Rath Gaul Hill who I give a strong each-way chance to at a decent price (14-1). He won well at Newbury in February on his first run for almost a year and creeps into this race at the foot of the weights.
My Mate Mozzie was fourth in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham although could be anchored by his lofty weight, while The Folkes Tiara represents a yard who have won this twice in the past five years.
TIP: SANS BRUIT
EW: Rath Gaul Hill
5.15 Blue Betty gets the vote in a tricky end to day one.
Fergal O’Brien has three big chances in the race and preference is for Kielan Woods’ mount who cruised to victory on her only racecourse start.
She cost her owners £90,000 and looks to have real quality. O’Brien’s other contenders, Strong Run and Highland Haven, both have strong each-way claims.
The money is down for Irish raider Seo Linn, who won a Listed bumper at Cheltenham in November. She is short enough in the betting at 3-1 but could prove hard to beat.
Charisma Cat is another leading player while Jackie Hobbs is unbeaten and was a stylish winner at Ascot. Kingston Queen has won her last two and is going the right way. She looks a bit overpriced.
TIP: BLUE BETTY
EW: Kingston Queen
