ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Aintree on Friday, April 10
Day Two of the 2026 Grand National Festival arrives on Friday, and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh is back for more after scoring a profit on the first day at Aintree Racecourse.
ITV are again showing six races from Aintree, and our horse racing expert is hoping for more success in Liverpool.
Kieran McHugh’s horse racing tips
We started the festival off with a good first day, and here is hoping that can continue.
Today’s feature is the Topham Trophy, named after Mirabel Topham - the former owner of Aintree Racecourse.
Once described as the ‘greatest dictator in racing,’ but I doubt she ever received any Oscar nominations like Charlie Chaplin.
Although I am keen to offer some advice for the 2027 Oscars for the award of best performer.
One is Henry Crow, who was as cool as ice on Barton Snow in the Foxhunters’.
Harry Skelton is also a candidate for that, also as cool as ice aboard The New Lion.
Sadly, his version of ice is hand-flavoured and melted, especially after seeing Brighterdayshead scoot to victory.
But I am not booking back in anger...wait, that was the Manchester band.
Moving swiftly on, here are the tips.
13:45 (Aintree) - William Hill Handicap Hurdle
Jazzy Matty was desperately unlucky not to win at Cheltenham and reverts back to hurdles in this, in which he is 17lbs better off.
Top Jimmy fell last time, but has some pretty good form before that. Also, if he jumps better today, then he could atone for his sins.
Suggested bets: JAZZY MATTY (WIN), TOP JIMMY (E/W)
READ MORE: Timeform predict JP McManus to make history by having first three home in Grand National
14:20 (Aintree) - William Hill Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
Regent’s Stroll was pretty good at Cheltenham and was not disgraced behind Honesty Policy here last year, he can do the the business for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden.
Wendigo fell at the last at Cheltenham and we will never know whether he would have rallied up the hill. He is sure to go well again.
Suggested bets: REGENT’S STROLL (WIN), WENDIGO (E/W)
14:55 (Aintree) - Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
Sober Glory was second in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, and it would be disappointing if he did not oblige today.
Storming George has a bit to find with Sober Glory and a few others, but he has run well at Aintree before, and that could spark something in him.
Suggested bets: SOBER GLORY (WIN), STORMING GEORGE (E/W)
15:30 (Aintree) - JCB Melling Chase (Grade 1)
Gidleigh Park pulled up when last seen in January, but he skipped Cheltenham, and his best performance last year came at Aintree.
Solness will like the ground today, and his form from earlier in the season puts him in with a good chance. He needs to stay, though.
Suggested bets: GIDLEIGH PARK (WIN), SOLNESS (E/W)
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16:05 (Aintree) - Randox Topham Handicap Chase
Ile Atlantique has been a strange horse but seems the type to enjoy this content.
He represents the mighty Mullins/Townend combination and was behind Ryanair Chase winner Heart Wood recently.
Bill Baxter won this in 2023 and is no stranger to these fences. He arrives on a good mark, and Sam Twiston-Davies is booked.
A word also to Pour Les Filles. Off her recent form, she needs a lot more, but she has run well before at Aintree, and the Bowens have a brilliant record in this race.
Suggested bets: ILE ATLANTIQUE (WIN), BILL BAXTER (E/W), POUR LES FILLES (E/W)
16:40 (Aintre) - Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
No Drama This End never really had the chance to feature at Cheltenham and is still a classy individual. This could suit, and he can resume winning ways.
Kripticjim ran well for a long way at Cheltenham before being defeated by the hill. This is an easier track, and he could stay on nicely.
Suggested bets: NO DRAMA THIS END (WIN), KRIPTICJIM (E/W)
As always, best of betting luck to you all.
(Selections are correct at time of publishing. Be aware they are subject to change, horses could be removed from race, and meetings may be abandoned due to bad weather.)
