Horse racing tips: Best bets for Aintree on Thursday, April 9

Day One of the 2026 Grand National Festival gets underway at Aintree, and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh has returned to cast his varifocals over the meeting.

ITV is showing six races from Aintree, and our resident racing reporter is keen to unearth the secrets of the card after striking oil in Dubai with a 28/1 winner.

Kieran McHugh’s horse racing tips

One of the most iconic racing festivals on the calendar returns and brings an intriguing card for day one.

I managed to snag myself a first-class ticket out of Dubai with the winnings from the carnival.

Sadly, the flight was full of so-called influencers and the like, so I took my chances with an American airline.

After making my way back from a stop-off, I found myself sailing across the Mersey.

You can imagine the chaos when the boat started sinking after being hit, thankfully it was nothing malicious, just one of Mo Salah’s shots flying out of Anfield.

The Aintree Hurdle is the main event and features much of the Champion Hurdle field, with winner Lossiemouth notably absent.

Anyway, let us get into the action.

13:45 (Aintree) – Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

Minella Study was third in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and finished strongly.

He goes well on good ground and could outspeed his competitors.

Aqua Bleu has a bit to find on the ratings with the market principals but is three from four over hurdles, and his front-running style could suit this track.

Suggested bets: MINELLA STUDY (WIN), AQUA BLEU (E/W)

14:20 (Aintree) – William Hill Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Despite five-year-olds having a poor record in this race, Lulamba is a cut above the rest.

Jumping cost him in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham, and perhaps a step up in trip today will aid his cause.

Jax Junior is another who will benefit from the increased distance and has a good record over this trip.

Suggested bets: LULAMBA (WIN), JAX JUNIOR (E/W)

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14:55 (Aintree) – Racing Welfare Bowl Chase (Grade 1)

Jango Baie is feared, but his Cheltenham Gold Cup performance could have left a mark, so the vote goes to Impaire Et Passe.

He has won at this meeting for the last two years and could benefit from conditions again.

A veteran now, Protektorat has put in some dominant displays here and, if none the worse for his recent performances, he can go well again.

Suggested bets: IMPAIRE ET PASSE (WIN), PROTEKTORAT (E/W)

15:30 (Aintree) – Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase

Barton Snow is near unbeatable in hunter chases and won the big race at Cheltenham. Despite the narrow nature of that success, he probably should have won by further.

Thunder Rock has some strong form and has cruised home in his two hunter chases, with more to come.

Take All did not stay at Cheltenham but was competitive throughout. He could have a say over this shorter distance.

Suggested bets: BARTON SNOW (WIN), THUNDER ROCK (E/W), TAKE ALL (E/W)

16:05 (Aintree) – Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1)

The New Lion has been crying out for an extended distance and gets it today. There is not much between him and Brighterdaysahead, and he can reverse that form.

Potters Charm might lag behind a few of these on ratings, but he has not had much hard racing this year. He is a former winner here and warrants interest.

Suggested bets: THE NEW LION (WIN), POTTERS CHARM (E/W)

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16:40 (Aintree) – Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase

Sans Bruit has won the last two renewals of this race, and a 3lb difference should not affect him.

Henry de Bromhead would not send horses across if he did not think they had a chance, and Wonleg is an unknown quantity worth noting.

As ever, best of betting luck to you all.

(Selections are correct at the time of publishing. Be aware they are subject to change, horses may be withdrawn, and meetings could be abandoned due to bad weather.)

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