Richard Johnson’s Day 1 Aintree Tips: Constitution Hill can bounce back

Day 1 of the Aintree Festival sees many stars across the seven-race card, including the likes of Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth, and we’ve asked four-time Champion Jockey Richard Johnson for his best Aintree Day 1 tips. The Grand National isn’t until Saturday (16:00), but Richard has tonnes of experience across the meeting.

Richard ran in the Grand National 21 times, a record for a jockey. Unfortunately, he never managed to win the race, finishing second twice, first in 2002 on What’s Up Boys and again in 2014 on Balthazar King, who he rode three times in the race.

Day 1 Aintree

The action starts with the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase (13:45) run over two-and-a-half miles. Richard rode Wishful Thinking (2011) and Menorah (2012) to victory in this race. Jango Baie features in this one, hoping to back up his win in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival three weeks ago.

However, Richard is backing Gidleigh Park for success in the opener, who won last time out in the Grade 2 Lightning Novices' Chase at Windsor, beating subsequent Cheltenham victor Caldwell Potter in the process.

The Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (14:20) is another Grade 1, a race Richard won twice.

Puturhandstogether, winner of the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival in March, catches Richard's eye in this one, in what should be a captivating battle with Dan Skelton's Live Conti and Wendrock for Gordon Elliott.

The Grade 1 Bowl Chase (14:55) is up next, a race won by Richard in 1998 aboard Escartefigue.

On Thursday, we’ll see the likes of Grey Dawning and Spillane’s Tower go head-to-head. The pair arrive fresh to Aintree fresh, having bypassed Cheltenham but it is Ahoy Senor who gains Richard's favour here.

The 10-year-old loves Aintree having won twice at the track before and runner-up in this race last year. Richard is backing him to go one further this time around.

The Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle off at 15:30 is the pick of the day’s action.

Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth do battle over two-and-a-half miles, which looks set to be a fascinating contest. Richard is siding with the former here, as the Nicky Henderson-trained star bids to bounce back from his fall in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Richard's final selection for the day comes from the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (16:05), which is one for the amateur riders and sees the Festival Challenge Open Hunter’s Chase third place Willitgoahead lineup.

My Drogo has the former Champion Jockey's backing, having won on his last two starts at Haydock and Larkhill.

You can find Richard Johnson’s daily tips for the Aintree Grand National meeting on Betfred Insights, including a tip on the big race itself on Saturday.