DAY one of the Randox Grand National Festival is a cracker with Constitution Hill, the emphatic Unibet Champion Hurdle winner, heavily odds-on at Unibet 1/7 to follow up in the Aintree Hurdle, with stablemate and the 2022 winner Epatante in the field at Unibet 9/1.

In the previous race, the Aintree Bowl Chase, Shishkin steps up to three miles after finishing second to Envoi Allen in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. This is a very tricky renewal to assess, and it will be fascinating to see how Shishkin Unibet 3/1 goes over three miles for the first time, with Ahoy Senor, who has such a good course record, just my preference. Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson can look forward to a thrilling afternoon with Constitution Hill, Epatante and Shishkin.

Ahead of the Randox Grand National Derek Fox is missing out on his rides on Ahoy Senor and Douglas Talking, as following a recent injury he is focussed on being 100% for Saturday for his ride on Corach Rambler in the big race.

At the time of writing on Tuesday evening the forecast is for more rain on Wednesday and Thursday, which could mean that Banbridge may not run in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase against Festival winner Stage Star and Saint Roi, from the Willie Mullins team so I will leave this Grade 1 at this stage.

This is the most underrated day of jump racing in the calendar with Four Grade 1s and for 2023 we have the most exciting horse in jump racing with Constitution Hill!
Enjoy whether at Aintree or watching #athome on ITV Racing or Racing TV.

Cheers!

The Wine Tipster

2.20 Aintree – Jewson Anniversary 4-Y-0 Juvenile Hurdle Grade 1 (2m)

Greyval is still unexposed, having won a Listed race at Doncaster in January and then she followed up easily at the end of March at Huntingdon after being off for nine weeks. This is a different level, yet Greyval is an exciting type who can run a big race and reward each way players.
Unibet 13/2 each way

2.55 Aintree – Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase Grade 1 (3m)

Ahoy Senor is the selection in a very trappy looking renewal, having travelled so well for a long way in the Boodles Gold Cup before falling at the top of the hill six out. Ahoy Senor was my selection for the Gold Cup and the Cotswold Chase winner has an excellent record at Aintree with two Grade 1 wins from three starts. Providing he has no ill effects from his Cheltenham fall Ahoy Senor can enhance his Aintree record.
Unibet 5/1

4.05 Aintree – Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase (2m 5f)

Latenightpass won this race in 2022 when marked up in my Unibet blog and was runner-up in 2021 after heading for home too soon. Like last year Latenightpass missed Cheltenham and has had three point starts, including a win in early March on his last appearance. Although this is a deeper renewal, the ten-year-old Latenightpass has a strong chance of following up on his 2022 victory, with ground conditions all fine and the experienced Gina Andrews in the plate.
Unibet 5/1

Sir Jack Yeats looks a big price given his record over these famous fences, which has seen him complete five times from five attempts and includes a second in the 2020 Grand Sefton. Sir Jack Yeats moved yards from Richard Spencer to Fergal O’ Brien in December and has been in good form with two point and two chase starts. His prominent running style suits this race and with ground no problem he can reward each way players.
Unibet 25/1 each way

4.40 Aintree – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (1m 7f)

Douglas Talking (nap) is a striking individual, who is going for a three-timer for the inform Lucinda Russell team. Douglas Talking won easily at Ayr in February and then jumped superably at Sandown in a bold front running display to win as he liked. The handicapper has raised him from a mark of 124 to 134 and whilst this is a much more competitive assignment, this seven-year-old looks open to significant improvement.
Unibet 4/1

The Last Day returns to Aintree to try and follow up his comfortable 2022 success in the Red Rum off a mark of 135, which is only two pounds higher than last year when he beat Dancing On My Own, who reopposes here on very similar terms. This lightly raced eleven-year-old is having only his eleventh career start over fences and ran well at Sandown on his first appearance of this campaign In January ahead of pulling up in the Grand Annual when never really looking like he was going to make a strong challenge. This has looked the target for the Evan Williams team and you can expect a much more prominent performance from The Last Day back at Aintree.
Unibet 10/1 each way