As known from:
sky sportscricketworldTorquay United
Best Betting Sites UK / The latest sports news with betting.co.uk / Latest Horse Racing News UK / Grand National Festival Day 1 Preview, Racecards & Tips

Grand National Festival Day 1 Preview, Racecards & Tips

Publish Date: 06/04/2021
Fact checked by: James Leeland

You've landed in our Grand National day one preview for the first day of the 2021 Aintree Festival. Everything builds at the Liverpool venue to the world's most famous steeplechase. Before that, though, read on and see which horses appeal to Betting.co.uk experts in our Grand National Thursday preview below.

Grand National day one preview - Our Manifesto for Aintree winners

The action on Merseyside starts with the Manifesto Novices' Chase at 1:45, and ELDORADO ALLEN shaped like going up to two-and-a-half miles should suit him. His runs behind Shishkin saw him staying on at the finish for Colin Tizzard. This race sets the tone for the meeting, because its pretty open.

Fusil Raffles is favourite ahead of Hitman and Cheltenham Festival winner The Shunter, a real money spinner for his connections. Just 5lb separates six of the seven runners on official ratings. That's how tough it is picking the winner here.

Only six go in the Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle for four-year-olds at 2:20, where MONMIRAL is an odds-on favourite. Not the most original selection, but he's much more lightly-raced this season than main market rival Adagio. This may prove one race too many for the latter.

If there is to be an upset, and Paul Nicholls doesn't win with Monmiral, then Fiveandtwenty may provide it. She gets weight all-round as a filly and hails from the yard of local trainer Donald McCain. Both he and his late father Ginger have had big winners at Aintree.

Grand National Thursday preview - Betway Bowl, Aintree Hurdle wide open

The open Grade 1s in our Grand National day one preview both look very competitive. First up is the Betway Bowl over the Mildmay course at 2:50. You can make an easy enough case against the established steeplechasers Clan Des Obeaux, Native River, Tiger Roll and Waiting Patiently.

Clan Des Obeaux hasn't won since the 2019 King George. Native River and Tiger Roll are both 11-year-olds. The former is having his third run in two months, while the latter has only shone in the Cross Country and over the Grand National fences in recent years. Waiting Patiently is searching for a first success since February 2018.

It could be worth chancing MISTER FISHER, trying an extended three miles for the first time. He loves good ground, according to trainer Nicky Henderson, but couldn't go the pace in the Ryanair Chase. If on a going day, he makes for a solid each-way bet in his ideal conditions.

Next in our Grand National day one preview, the Aintree Hurdle at 3:25 which is even more open. JASON THE MILITANT is one of six in this rated 158 by the British handicapper. Any could be the winner.

Off the back of his Fairyhouse win, Jason The Militant might be well worth trying at the trip. Others to consider include McFabulous for Nicholls, Brewin'upastorm from the Olly Murphy stable and Song For Someone, who has some each-way juice in his price. Abacadabras could also have a say.

Steer clear of hunter chase and Red Rum

The Open Hunters' Chase at 4:05 is the first time the Grand National fences are jumped at the meeting. It's an event where having a strong view looks pretty difficult. The reason for that is the amateur jockeys haven't been allowed to ride for much of the winter due to restrictions.

Our Grand National Thursday preview advises similar caution with the Red Rum Handicap Chase at 4:40. These end-of-season festival handicaps are always a minefield. It's wiser to just watch or limit yourself to small stakes. The concluding bumper at 5:15, a National Hunt Flat race for fillies and mares, is all about EILEENDOVER.

She will probably never jump an obstacle in her career. Eileendover has a speedy Flat pedigree and could well end up with a summer campaign on the level after this. The apple of trainer Pam Sly's eye looks very hard to beat, despite Cheltenham Champion Bumper third Elle Est Belle in opposition. If you're looking to make the best of your bets this year then remember to check out the betting sites with high odds before you place a single penny on anything.

Read Also
RacingGav Horse Racing Tips: An each way Lucky 15 for the Cheltenham Festival
Instead of an individual betting tip, for today I have put together ...
Ginger Joe - 2024 Grand National Runner-by-Runner Guide and Betting Tips
In just two days we’ll be watching the biggest race of the ...
Betfred Promo
Ginger Joe - Aintree Day 2 - Betting Tips for 12 April 2024
We move swiftly on to Day 2 of the Aintree Grand National ...
Ginger Joe - Aintree Day 1 - Betting Tips for 11 April 2024
The Grand National meeting has arrived and we have four superb Grade ...
Grand National Festival Day 2 Preview, Racecards & Tips
This is the Betting.co.uk Grand National day two preview for the middle ...
Bookmaker of the Month
BetMGM UK - Get Your Bonus! Get Your Bonus!
Claim your £30 BetUK Bonus!
Betting Tips
25/05/2025 - 4:00 pm
City Ground
Tip:
Enzo Fernandez and Morgan Gibbs-White to be carded + over 9 corners
19.00
Bet365
25/05/2025 - 4:00 pm
Old Trafford
Tip:
Aston Villa to win
1.70
Bet365
25/05/2025 - 4:00 pm
Anfield
Tip:
Salah to score and be carded
26.00
Bet365
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
BetMGM UK
BetMGM UK
BetMGM UK Review
4.8/5
Betano
4.6/5
Betfred
4.5/5
kwiff
4.4/5
10bet
4.3/5
BetMGM UK
BetMGM UK Bonus
Bet £10 Get £40
18+. T&Cs apply.
4.8/5
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs Apply.
Betano
Betano Bonus
FIFA Club World Cup - Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
18+ New customers only. Opt-in, bet £10 on any FIFA Club World Cup match at odds of 1/1+ by 20:00 on 13.07.2025. Get 3x£10 free Bet for set markets + £10 casino bonus for set games, 40x wagering, max redeem £250. Bonuses: expire in 10 days. Click for T&Cs. GambleAware.org. Please gamble responsibly
Betfred
Betfred Bonus
Bet £10 Get £50
T&Cs apply, 18+
4.5/5
New customers only. Register (excl 05/04/25), deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply.
kwiff
kwiff Bonus
Bet £10 Get £30 Surprise Bet
T&Cs apply
4.4/5
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
10bet
10bet Bonus
100% up to £50
T&Cs apply
4.3/5
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+
Who tops our list?
best online casinos
Our Team
James Leeland
James Leeland
Editor
Ginger Joe
Ginger Joe
Expert Punter
Amos Murphy
Amos Murphy
Sports Writer
Mike McKean
Mike McKean
Editor
Matthew O'Regan
Matthew O'Regan
Non League Tipster
Jordan Noble
Jordan Noble
Sports Writer
Dave Kuzio
Dave Kuzio
Content Manager
Alyx Tzamantanis
Alyx Tzamantanis
Editor
The Fund
The Fund
The Fund
Racing Gav
Racing Gav
Racing Tipster
Jamie Clark
Jamie Clark
Contributor
Geoff Banks
Geoff Banks
Columnist
Nathan Joyes
Nathan Joyes
Tipster
Ben Smith
Ben Smith
Tipster
Tom Winch
Tom Winch
Tipster
Zack Wilson
Zack Wilson
Contributor
Get the Best Deals via Mail
By providing my e-mail address, I declare that I agree that Betting.co.uk will regularly send me information by e-mail: I can revoke my consent at any time.

Users must be 18+. If you are having trouble with gambling then help and advice can be found at begambleaware.org. Please Play Responsibly.

Trading financial products carries a high risk to your capital, especially trading leverage products such as CFDs. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.
18+GambleAwareeCOGRAGamblers AnonymousGamCareGamStopGambling TherapyCloudflareSSLco² neutral
Close
Place Your Bets! Discover Premium Bonuses at Our Trusted Partners.
BetMGM UK
BetMGM UK Bonus
Bet £10 Get £40
18+. T&Cs apply.
Bonus Code:
Go to BetMGM UK
Get Bonus
Bwin
Bwin Bonus
£20 Back-Up Bet as Free Bet
18+. T&Cs apply.
Bonus Code:
Go to Bwin
Get Bonus
Betano
Betano Bonus
FIFA Club World Cup - Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bonus Code:
Go to Betano
Get Bonus
×
Your Bonus Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site