Paul Ferguson has three selections from Aintree for us on Thursday, on day one of the Grand National Festival 2025. | Free Bets |
Aintree’s Grand National meeting gets underway with a cracking renewal of the Manifesto Novices’ Chase, in which a case can be made for several of the eight runners.
The other Grade 1s also like trappy, so the betting opportunities look to come later on the card, starting in the Foxhunters’ in which Lifetime Ambition (4:05) should be backed each-way with enhanced place terms on offer. The top of the market looks strong here, so I’m not expecting a shock result in the first race of the week over the National fences, and this trip looks ideal. He has run well over the fences previously and appears to have been laid out for the race. Willitgoahead ran well at Cheltenham and beat him earlier in the season so has to be respected, along with 2023 winner Famous Clermont as both horses like good ground.
Primoz is a horse who regular readers of my work will know I am a fan of and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him run a big race in the Red Rum, with conditions to suit. He goes best fresh, however, so the quick turnaround from Cheltenham is a concern and marginal preference is for The Folks Tiara (4:40) who again, should be backed each-way. He has been off for 98 days, relishes good ground, split two subsequent winners when second last time and represents a stable with a fine record in this race. At double-figure odds, he really ought to go well, whilst Rath Gaul Hill is another to note, despite being out of the weights.
And, the concluding mares’ bumper looks to be a cracking renewal. Again, enhanced place terms are on offer here and as such, Blue Betty (5:15) makes appeal from an each-way perspective, despite her relative inexperience. She looked hugely promising when winning on the all-weather at Newcastle and should run a big race for Fergal O’Brien, who runs three and won this race in 2023 with Dysart Enos.
Thursday’s selections:
4:05 Aintree – Lifetime Ambition; 9/2 Ladbrokes
4:40 Aintree – The Folkes Tiara; 6/1 Bet365
5:15 Aintree – Blue Betty; 9/1 Bet365
NB. All odds shown are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.
