Aintree Grand National Meeting Friday Tips: Lucky seven?

It's the second day of Aintree's magnificent Grand National Festival, and one way or another this piece provides chapter and verse on each race - all seven of them. The magic kicks in at 13:45.

In companion features I've reached out to Merseyside for my Nap Of The Day; and I'm staying local for my Aintree Lucky 15, too. You'll find easy links to both pieces right here. That embraces five of the seven contests - so let's have a close look at the other two in this, so we've got the whole day covered and at your fingertips!

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

13:45 - Caldwell Potter @ 10/3

14:20 - Wade Out @ 6/1

14:55 - Tripoli Flyer @ 3/1

15:30 - Jonbon @ 8/15

Races 1 - 4 inclusive form today's Aintree Lucky 15 piece, so my thought process as to why I feel the above quartet have fabulous chances this afternoon can be read by kindly clicking this LINK.

My companion Nap Of The Day article has identified Califet En Vol as my idea of the day's best - and you can read exactly why right HERE.

That leaves us with the Topham (16:05), and the closing hurdle (17:15); and here's my notion of who might do the business.

16:05 - Shantreusse each-way @ 16/1

It's always a thrilling sight when the National fences are on show - and outside of the great race itself they are used, in a slightly limited fashion, on very select times during the season.

The Topham, over 2m 5f, is one such special occasion. Small matter of 30 runners, so there's a real 'mini-National' flavour to proceedings; with a VERY strong Irish challenge, too.

Most of the big player, usual suspects have taken this down the years - Willie Mullins trained back-to-back winners in 2019 and 2021 (no race in 2020), and Messrs Tizzard, Henderson, O'Neill, Bowen, Twiston-Davies, Hobbs and Pipe all appear on the roll of honour.

I'm siding, each-way (we're paying SIX places), with Henry de Bromhead's Shantreusse. Henry saddles a couple, and Rachael Blackmore is on the 'other' one (Amirite). Today's jockey Darragh O'Keefe was on board the selection last time at Navan 34 days ago, and the nine-year-old gelding ran a blinder in Listed company, beaten 3l in second.

He ran in this last year (same pilot) and was prominent and holding every chance when a bad mistake five out knocked the wind from his sails. He comes into this in better form than last year and with a clearer passage must have a very bright each-way shout.

17:15 - Celtic Dino each-way @ 7/1

Another each-way tickle (we're paying FIVE places) - and a six-year-old Doctor Dino gelding in the hands of Gold Cup winning jockey-turned-trainer Sam Thomas, in South Glamorgan.

Celtic Dino carries the famous silks of Walters Plant Hire Ltd and enjoyed a tremendous 2024 - three wins (one bumper, two hurdles), before being highly-tried both here, and at Kempton.

He's had a little 41-day freshening-up break and does go very well upon returning under such circumstances, so I'm expecting one of his progressive, upwardly-mobile efforts so typical during the autumn.

This is his handicap bow, albeit in a novice handicap, and 10st 13lb looks fair. He was beating the likes of Joyeuse empathically in November, and that one took a Newbury G3 in early February.

Might just have been laid out for this and I'm very hopeful that he can at least nick a place.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.