Our Aintree Day 2 tips for Saturday’s racing at the Grand National meeting are below, with selections across all seven races on the card. Our tipster has identified value each-way picks throughout the day as well as confident win-only bets in the Grade 1 contests.
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Aintree Day 2 Selections at a Glance
Time
Race
Selection
Odds
Bet Type
13:45
William Hill Handicap Hurdle
Joyeuse
6/1
Each Way
13:45
William Hill Handicap Hurdle
Jazzy Matty
10/1
Each Way
14:20
2m5f Handicap Chase
Gold Dancer
5/1
Each Way
14:55
Grade 1 Novices Hurdle
Sober Glory
8/13
Win
15:30
Grade 1 Chase
Heartwood
6/4
Win
16:05
Topham Chase
Madara
9/2
Each Way
16:05
Topham Chase
Will The Wise
9/1
Each Way
16:40
Grade 1 Novices Hurdle
Zeus Power
8/1
Each Way
17:15
Handicap Hurdle
Harry Lowes
9/2
Each Way
13:45 — William Hill Handicap Hurdle
A full field of 22 go to post in the ultra-competitive William Hill Handicap Hurdle, which kicks off day 2, and I’m having 2 Each Way darts running for me here. Indeevar Blue is the rightful favourite after bolting up at this course on Boxing Day, and he comes here fresh, having missed Cheltenham due to a small setback. Even though he’s been declared, I wouldn’t be 100% certain of his participation, given his trainer’s suggestion that he would want to see some rain before the off (which he is unlikely to get).
For that reason, I’m happy to chance others and preference lies with JOYEUSE (6/1) who should relish the step up in trip having stormed home to finish 3rd in the County Hurdle 4 weeks ago. I think she’s still well handicapped to win a big pot, and I hope today is the day.
JAZZY MATTY (10/1) gets the nod for the 2nd selection. The horse reverts to hurdles after being beaten by a nose in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. His hurdles mark is lower than his chase, and connections will look to take advantage of that here, and I believe he has a solid chance against this field.
Back Joyeuse 6/1 EW Paddy Power (6 places)
Back Jazzy Matty 10/1 EW Paddy Power (6 places)
14:20 — 2m5f Handicap Chase
An intriguing contest here sees Cheltenham handicap form over 2½ miles take on grade 1 form over 3 miles, with only a couple of points separating the top 5 in the market. All 8 that appear here have had consistent seasons and ran respectfully on nearly all combined starts, which sets the race up nicely. Salver impressed me in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, and it was a surprise to see him run well on ground that has been suggested as too good for him in the past. He has an obvious chance and is a clear danger to my selection, GOLD DANCER (5/1). Last seen 2nd (when not fancied) in the Jack Richards at the festival, he comes here off the back of a season of running well behind good horses, and I believe today is the chance he improves and gets his nose in front. The sole entry for Willie Mullins in the race speaks volumes, and with Paul on board, I’m surprised we can still get 5/1 about him. I’d much prefer him over a couple of his market rivals, and I think it’s a great Each Way bet.
Back Gold Dancer 5/1 Each Way bet365 (3 places)
14:55 — Grade 1 Novices Hurdle
SOBER GLORY (8/13) really impressed me in the Supreme, and I think he will take all the beating here. The money didn’t stop coming for him in the lead-up to the Cheltenham opener, and the race told us why, when an unlucky 2nd to Old Park Star. I think hes a level above the rest of the field, and I expect him to hold the form to the 4th in that race, Baron Noir. A relentless galloper and efficient jumper, I think Aintree is perfect for him, and I expect him to pick up his first Grade 1 of his career easily enough.
Back Sober Glory 8/13 Win only bet365
15:30 — Grade 1 Chase
I don’t think it’s worth complicating things in this race, and for that reason, the only play is the solid option in HEART WOOD (6/4). The horse has the best form coming into the race and is the most consistent. The Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham may have fallen apart, but the Henry De Bromhead-trained 8-year-old went about his business stylishly and ran out an easy winner 29 days ago. He jumps impeccably and travels throughout his races, and hes the one they all have to beat to claim this big pot. There’s plenty of question marks regarding trip and form from the market rivals, and I cannot see any meaningful challenger to the favourite. I expect him to back up his performance from Prestbury Park and put another Grade 1 on his CV.
Back Heartwood 6/4 Win only bet365
16:05 — Topham Chase
A 30-runner Topham is never easy to predict and be overly confident on, but I’m finding it hard to look too far down the betting in this year’s renewal, and I think there’s a fairly obvious form line that we can’t dismiss. The 1st and 2nd in the Plate at Cheltenham clash again here, and I want to side with both horses again. The winner MADARA (9/2) was one of the easiest winners of the week, and if he can run to that level again, then a 9lb rise won’t be enough to stop him winning again. He had loads in hand that day, and if he gets a clear round again, I’m not sure there’s a horse that can beat him on these terms. I think having a saver on WILL THE WISE (9/1) is advisable though, as he is an improving type who should be in contention at the line and represents great Each Way value.
Back Madara 9/2 Each Way (6 places) bet365
Back Will The Wise 9/1 Each Way (5 places) William Hill
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16:40 — Grade 1 Novices Hurdle
I’m happy to take on the Albert Bartlett winner Johnny’s Jury here, and I think hes quite short, in what I believe is a competitive field. You could probably make a case for 5-6 improving types, but my selection goes to the Joseph O’Brien-trained ZEUS POWER (8/1), who was last seen finishing 3rd in the Turners novices hurdle at Cheltenham, only beaten 3¼ lengths. I think that represents good form, and I think further improvement is to come from the 5-year-old. This will be his first try at 3 miles, but I don’t envisage any issue with the trip, especially on this ground. I think hes currently a big price and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him go off half his current price.
Back Zeus Power 8/1 Each Way (4 places) bet365
17:15 — Handicap Hurdle
It wouldn’t be my strongest of opinions throughout the week in this race, but I’ll be chancing HARRY LOWES (9/2) here, who will be ridden by one of the best conditionals in the race, Tristan Durrell. He is probably the right favourite based on connections and the scope the horse has to improve from what hes done on the racetrack up until now. The horse was originally targeted for the William Hill Handicap (first race of the day), and even though he was declared for it, he was balloted out come the final decs. So this is an afterthought, but I believe it could be a blessing in disguise, and I would be surprised if hes not without a chance turning in.
Back Harry Lowes 9/2 Each Way (5 places) bet365
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Adam O’Brien is a seasoned horse racing tipster with a particular focus on Cheltenham Festival ante-post betting. With years of experience analysing form, trainer patterns, and festival trends, Adam provides expert insights to help punters navigate the high-stakes world of National Hunt racing. Known for his clear, practical advice and knack for spotting value in early markets, he has built a reputation among both casual punters and serious Festival followers.
