Lucky 15 Tips: Sensational start to the Aintree party

Day 1 of the Aintree Grand National Festival 2026. As I write the sun is shining (sunshine and showers I believe is the forecast for Thursday), and spring has sprung in all its glory. Boat Race, FA Cup sharp-end, Champions League, and now this legendary three-day 'do' on Merseyside that features the world's greatest steeplechase on Saturday - the Grand National.

I've attended this meeting dozens of times, and what a treat it is. Cheltenham-type races, and horses. Huge prize-money. A warm welcome mix of exuberant, delighted locals and racegoers; and those awesome fences. It's brilliant.

Action starts at 13:45, the first six of seven on the card are televised LIVE by ITV, and of course our Lucky 15 tips are coming from Liverpool for the rest of the week. Good luck, and enjoy the racing!

Horse Racing odds

14:20 - Lulamba @ 8/13

Hard not to side with Nicky Henderson's talented five-year-old gelding, even if he was a tad disappointing in the Arkle at the Festival last month.

Beaten just over 4l by winner Kargese, a very talented mare, and last year's Supreme winner Kopek Des Bordes, who would have been an impressive scorer himself bar a jolting error at the last, is no disgrace whatsoever, however, to add some context to today's challenge.

Is there anything of that Arkle calibre in this field? Only Lulamba, in my humble opinion. His to lose then, for owners the Donnellys, jockey Nico de Boinville, and of course the old master N Henderson; assuming he's well and rested after his Prestbury Park exertions. The horse, that is.

The rest have got 12lb and more to find; no easy task.

15:30 - It's All On The Line @ 9/2

Ridiculous statement alert - I don't think I've seen a better non-professional jockey over fences than Derek O'Connor. Not for nothing is he hugely sought-after for races such as this, the Foxhunters over 2m 5f of the Grand National course, for amateur pilots.

Derek is on board the JP McManus-owned It's All On The Line for what should be a thrilling renewal, and the talented nine-year-old Presenting gelding is trained by Emmet Mullins, hero of the hour on Monday courtesy of his Irish National superstar Soldier In Milan.

Nine wins from 19 runs for our selection, the vast majority of those spins with Derek in the plate, testifies to the horse's ability. Beaten a neck in this sphere at Chelters last month, he can go one better here in Liverpool in what should be quite the spectacle.

16:40 - Sans Bruit @ 3/1

Another with what looks like a rock-solid chance on this sensational card. A Paul Nicholls-trained winner of this very race last term - the eight-year-old French-bred gelding Sans Bruit.

Nine wins from 37 starts, the selection has seemingly been pointing towards this target all season. He won in 2025 off a mark of 130, by a cosy 4.5l, and must defy 133 today after winning impressively immediately after Aintree taking him up to 144, but then failing to add any further successes in five subsequent efforts, hence the handicapper relenting.

Off this kind of mark I've a feeling Paul will have him cherry-ripe for this.

17:15 - Princess Day @ 3/1

A mares' bumper to finish over 2m 1f, and fiendishly competitive as you would expect. No heroic stakes outside of the L15, but I am tempted to have a couple of bob on Jeremy Scott's five-year-old Princess Day.

Lorcan Williams is doing the steering, and our selection has won both her solitary point and two races of this nature, to remain unbeaten. Chepstow and Newbury were the venues for the NH flat race successes - tip-top tracks with potent opposition assured - and she's handled herself quite beautifully thus far.

Any number of dangerous yards oppose but I'd like to remain on her side and feel sure she'll run her race; and that might just be good enough.

If all four of our selections won, today's notional 50p win Lucky 15, at the prices indicated (they can of course fluctuate), would return around £212 for a £7.50 total stake. If you can improve upon our selections (of course you can) - then go for it!

Lucky 15 tips with Betfred Insights.