Jaysella’s Grand National Festival Aintree Racecard for 10th April 2026

Jaysella’s Grand National Festival Racecard for Friday 10th April

William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 1.45
Indeevar Bleu
I reckon there’s plenty to like about Indeevar Bleu for the opener on Friday, so that’s gonna be my pick. Let’s face it, a pretty easy win by 5 & 1/2 lengths around here over course and distance on much the same good to soft ground back in December is form I like, and with Champion Jockey Sean Bowen back up top my boxes keep being ticked. Nudged up in the weights a bit here, but with Alan King’s Favour And Fortune in the field, this is still a workable mark, and I think he’s been laid out for this by Olly Murphy. Nicky Henderson’s grey mare Joyeuse rates a danger, if Nico de Boinville can keep her closer to the pace than in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, where she was left too much to do, and last year’s winner, Wellington Arch would be my each way pick, if that’s what you’re looking for, so, with Jazzy Matty not without a chance either. Indeevar Bleu to get unwrapped rom his cotton wool and take the opener for me – only right on Ladies Day huh!

William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2.20
Gold Dancer
Well, Willie Mullins Gold Dancer totally outran his odds of 25/1 in the Jack Richards Chase at Cheltenham, despite carrying top weight, and can go in again. The Trainers Championship is likely to go to Dan Skelton this year, and well enough deserved in my book that would be, but reigning British Champion Willie Mullins ain’t gonna give it up without a fight, and Gold Dancer is one of his better chances. The better the ground, the better he goes, so if the rain stays away on Friday all the more reason to go for gold! Gary & Josh Moores’ Salver is a classy rival, but would really like a bit of cut, but third in the Brown Advisory was a concrete solid piece of form behind Kitzbuhel and Final Demand so has to be respected. Gold Dancer has to prove stamina for this trip, whereas that’s a given for Salver, so a bit of a cracker between these two, but without the rain, surely Gold Dancer can win?

ThatPrizeGuy Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2.55
Sober Glory
Well, Sober Glory got very close to winning the Supreme Novices’ at Cheltenham, although you might argue that Old Park Star always had his measure. But, after clattering the last, then bouncing off the rail we’ll never know how close it could have been, but Grade One redemption lies temptingly on the plate here. This looks a bit of a smaller dish to swallow too, with Alan King’s Baron Noir the obvious threat having come from well off the pace to finish a never nearer fourth in the Supreme Novices, which is strong form to bring to the table. Just the six for dinner, but I’m tempted to order a side dish of Jamie Snowden’s La Conquiere as an interesting each way gamble!

JCB Melling Chase (Grade 1) 3.30
Heart Wood (nap)
I have found this quite a hard pick between Henry de Bromhead’s Heart Wood and Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning. Both had hard races at Cheltenham, Heart Wood winning the Ryanair and Grey Dawning finishing a fine fourth in the Gold Cup, but here we are over two miles four on Aintree’s flat track, on a decent surface, so it’s Heart Wood that stands out. You’d have to back to 2024 at this corresponding meeting to find that last time Grey Dawning ran over this trip, in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase won by Il Etait Temps, and even then that looked a bit sharp, so I’m going to expect a change in tactics for the Skelton brothers with a push from the front to take the sting out of Heart Wood. That’s me theory anyhow, but I reckon Heart Wood’s gonna get upsides of him anyway, so that’s where I’m going!

Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 4.05
Prairie Wolf
Seeing that anyone can win over the National fences, I’m gonna take a wild shot at Prairie Wolf to come up trumps! Reasons? Well, no doubting current form after wins at Newcastle and Newbury, and I did like the way Jack Tudor gave him a very patient ride last time out, plus when he did get in tight to a couple of the fences on the back straight, Prairie Wolf did fiddle his way over without losing too much momentum. That could be crucial getting over these unique fences where getting safely to the other side is what matters, and there’ll be plenty of time to make his charge after the last. Dan Skelton’s Madara won for me in the Plate at Cheltenham, and still looks on a fair mark, while Henry de Bromhead’s Coming Up Easy is probably a far better chance than his price of 14/1 suggests. That’s me three, but an each way gamble on Prairie Wolf is as good as they come for the Topham.

Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 4.40
No Drama This End (nb)
I’m gonna put a line through No Drama This End’s run in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, and expect him to resume progress here. To be fair to Paul Nicholls Walk In The Park gelding, being hampered at the start didn’t really help, and Harry Cobden rightly pulled him up once realising he wasn’t really…er…at the races! But, prior to that his bloodless victory in the Challow at Newbury showed No Drama This End is a proper Grade One horse, and I’m finding him very easy to back. Dan Skelton’s Dalston Lad has gotten a bit of a winning habit, so could be right up with the pace from the off, and Jamie Snowden’s Johnny’s Jury has headed the markets this week after scoring in the Albert Bartlett. Rightly so, but I can’t wait to see No Drama This End upped to this trip and that’s my final answer!

Debenhams Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys’ And Amateur Riders’ Race) 5.15
Sherminator
Gonna be fast and furious this as the Conditionals and Amateurs…er.. jockey for position in a big field, but Sherminator has a bit of a winning habit so will do for me. It seemed to me that Harry Fry’s gelding had plenty left in the tank when scoring at Exeter latest, and with Patrick Mullins booked for the ride, lots to like from my view, given that he’s clearly got a soft spot for Aintree! Too many to mention that have a chance, but Dan Skelton’s Harry Lowes under Tristan Durrell, who is the leading Conditional Jockey has to be respected, and Olly Murphy’s Wandering Ego will like this ground and can make the frame. At bigger odds, The Mighty Celt ain’t out of it for each way backers, but I’ll take Sherminator for the win.