Jaysella’s Grand National Festival Racecard for Thursday 9th April 2026

Jaysella’a Grand National Festival Racecard for Thursday 9th April

Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 1.45
Maestro Conti
Well, what a really hot Grade One we’ve got coming to get the Grand National Festival going. Seeing as there is the second, third & fourth from the Triumph at the Cheltenham Festival all here, this races oozes class, but I’ve gotta tell you, the way that Dan Skelton’s Maestro Conti finished up the hill at Cheltenham has made this an easy pick for me. Also, while I bang on his drum, Maestro Conti’s beaten both La Luna Artista and One Horse Town this year, so looks the strongest Juvenile two miler from this side of the Irish Sea, and I reckon that Aintree’s a perfect fit for him. Willie Mullins has Selma De Vary, who chased home Narciso Has in a Grade One at Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival, so should be fine around Aintree’s flat track, but if the ground dries up, I think that’ll help Maestro Conti more. Minella Study should be on the premises, but Maestro Conti I can seen making a strong bid from a couple of furlongs out and running them ragged on quicker going.

William Hill Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2.20
Lulamba
I can’t see past Lulamba for the Manifesto, and having started a short price favourite for the Arkle at Cheltenham, finishing third, maybe some unfinished business here? Well, on the plus side, this step up in trip should help, and maybe Aintree’s track will also aid Nico de Boinville in meeting the fences on a stride, which I thought was what cost him the Arkle, with Kargese and Kopek Des Bordes both on the whole showing some slicker fencing. You’ve gotta say this looks an easier task than the Arkle, which is why Lulamba is such a short odds on price – them bookies ain’t taking no chances, but with Ben Pauling’s Mambonumberfive and Paul Nicholls’ Blueking D’oroux both with unlocked potential over fences, it’s no gimme this! On that note, Mambonumberfive and Blueking D’oroux both look way at way too generous odds for an each way tickle, if that’s your thing, but Lulamba should be winning this.

Racing Welfare Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 2.55
Impaire Et Passe (nb)
Jango Baie is all the rage for the Bowl, and after a fine second to Gaelic Warrior in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham I can see why. But but but, I can’t get away from thinking that Impaire Et Passe is the one to take Jango Baie on, and these are my reasons. One, Impaire Et Passe is totally unexposed at this trip, so we don’t know how much more he’s got in the locker over 3 miles plus. A Known Unknown if you like! Two, Spring is when Impaire Et Passe really comes alive, with plenty of wins when the suns out and the ground is a bit quicker. Three, that was a tough race for Jango Baie, and I wonder if Nicky Henderson’s hot favourite might just feel a bit leg weary when that last half mile really hots up. That all said, Willie Mullins has to turn Impaire Et Passe around from something being amiss at Cheltenham in the Ryanair, but there ain’t anyone better to do just that and it’s his only runner in this Grade One, hmmm? The veteran Protektorat has looked better than ever this season, so is my each way pick, but I’ll chance my luck on a rejuvenated Impaire Et Passe for the Bowl.

Randox Foxhunters’ Open Chase 3.30
Unexpected Party
For me Unexpected Party is the class act of this field, and I have no qualms about backing him for a Hunters’ Chase hat-trick under Heidi Palin. She’s been winning with a plenty in hand at Taunton and Haydock Park, and I reckon that with better ground Unexpected Party can gain a first win here at Aintree. The prolific Barton Snow has to be on anyone’s shortlist, while Emmet Mullins It’s On The Line is sure to go close, but don’t always find for pressure, so Unexpected Party it is.

William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 4.05
The New Lion (nap)
Gonna be a great day for Dan Skelton if I’ve got my sums right, cos I think The New Lion’s winning the Aintree Hurdle. For all that, this is one hot hot hot renewal, with Champion Hurdle fourth Alexei and second Brighterdaysahead both easy enough to fancy, while Willie Mullins has returned El Fabiolo to the Sticks this term, and he makes a fascinating contender on this quicker ground. I suppose Brighterdaysahead has the form in the book, winning this in 2024, but this is The New Lion’s trip, and he’s winning it for me. Fingers Crossed!

Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 4.40
Sans Bruit
Horse for courses I reckon, and that means it Sans Bruit for the Red Rum Chase. He won it in 2024 & 2025, and although the form leading up to this over the winter don’t stand out, don’t worry about that, Paul Nicholls charge is a different beast here at Aintree in the Spring. Expect Harry Cobden to be somewhere at the front, cos that’s worked in the past, and this is a track where if you get into a good rhythm, it’s half the job done. I’ve gotta say, Anthony Honeyball’s Brookie looks a cracking each way angle, if that’s your thing, but I’m expecting a bold bid from the front by Harry Cobden on Sans Bruit for the win.

Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 5.15
Princess Day
Jeremy Scott’s Princess Day was very professional last time out at Newbury, turning the screw in the final two furlongs and leaving the rest trailing in her wake, despite running under a penalty. More of the same please Lorcan, and back on level terms I think Princess Day can complete the hat-trick. I suppose that Gary & Josh Moore’s Ti’mamzel could figure, after an impressive 6 & 1/2 length win at Sandown Park, but this grounds a bit quicker so that’s a question to be answered, while Max Comely’s Burds Of A Feather was a knockout on her debut under rules, giving the field 19 lengths of daylight, so could feasibly step up to this grade. That’s me three for the closer, but Princess Day seems to have the most to offer.