The Grand National Festival at Aintree gets under way on Thursday with four Grade 1 races on the first day in Liverpool.
The build-up to Saturday’s showpiece Grand National begins on Thursday with the Aintree Hurdle the headline race on day one in Liverpool.
On what looks set to be a thoroughly competitive day of action, there are several fascinating betting heats on the schedule and we have selected four horses at each-way prices who can outrun their odds.
Four best each-way bets
13:45 Aintree – Indian River each-way @ 80/1
15:30 Aintree – Thunder Rock each-way @ 16/1
16:40 Aintree – Jasko Des Dames each-way @ 12/1
17:15 Aintree – Divine Diva each-way @ 25/1
Huge price for lively outsider Indian River
A field of 10 has been declared for the opening race and three of the first four in the betting lined up in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The same was true of the huge outsider Indian River, although he could only manage 10th on that occasion.
He would have learned plenty from that experience, as it was a steep step up in grade, and he may well be capable of better.
Jockey Danny McMenamin is in fine form at the moment and Indian River has won three of his four starts to date.
Obviously a career-best will be required but he could be overpriced.
Tip 1: 13:45 Aintree – Indian River each-way @ 80/1
Murphy has a chance with Thunder Rock
It wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if Thunder Rock adds to Olly Murphy’s tally of Aintree winners.
The 10-year-old has taken well to hunter chases this term and he has won his last couple of starts with plenty in hand.
He was a smart novice chaser a few seasons ago and produced a career-best performance to win the Listed Premier Chase at Kelso by a comfortable margin back in 2024.
He is adaptable with regards to trip and many of his best efforts have come over this sort of distance so he can go close with a clear round.
Tip 2: 15:30 Aintree – Thunder Rock each-way @ 16/1
De Bromhead seeking more Aintree glory
Henry de Bromhead has had an up and down season but still managed to land a Cheltenham Festival winner.
He won the Grand National with Minella Times in 2021 and Jasko Des Dames could get him on the board at this year’s meeting.
The return to two miles is a big plus with regards to his chances. The son of It’s Gino was in the process of running a big race in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month but struggled once they hit the rising ground in the final furlong or so.
Aintree is a much flatter track and with more emphasis on speed, he should be capable of producing a stronger finishing effort.
Tip 3: 16:40 Aintree – Jasko Des Dames each-way @ 12/1
Divine Diva to deliver for Skelton?
Aintree’s final race on Day 1 is the Grade 2 Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race, for which a field of 20 has been declared.
Dan Skelton is set to run two in the race and while Harry Skelton rides Nan’s Choice, it would be dangerous to rule out Divine Diva.
Tristan Durrell takes the ride and she got the better of Lennon Grove, who also lines up here, when winning a point-to-point at Kildorrey in March 2025.
Making her rules debut in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham in November, she ran a nice race to finish third and is entitled to improve significantly.
Tip 4: 17:15 Aintree – Divine Diva each-way @ 25/1
