Aintree 2026 - Friday

On Ladies' Day, a tip for the Topham (4.05) run over two miles five - and the National fences.

At the time of writing 29 are set to face the starter at 4.05; Pour Les Filles, Jipcot, The King Of Prs, Primoz, Indiana Jones and Excello all race from out of the handicap. 

The going remains good to soft on both the Mildmay and National courses.

Favourite Madara won the Racing Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham 31 days ago in the manner of a horse some way ahead of his handicap mark; Will The Wise, seven and a half lengths away in second, may have finished slightly closer had he not jumped markedly right at the first, hampering a number of rivals in the process. 

In behind were O'Moore Park (sixth), Boombawn (ninth), Peaky Boy (twelfth), Jipcot (thirteenth), and Booster Bob (fell at the last when a placed finish appeared a distinct possibility, after being carried right around the home turn).

The handicapper has reacted by raising Dan Skelton's charge ten pounds to a mark of 150; the last market leader to oblige was joint favourite Gwanako in 2008.

If I've read the formbook correctly, Keith Donoghue put up two pounds overweight on Will The Wise at Cheltenham; with the revised ratings and three pound claimer Conor Stone-Walsh now in the saddle, Gavin Cromwell's charge looks to have his chance of reversing placings.

In the past ten years Willie Mullins has trained the winner on three occasions: Cadmium (2019); Livelovelaugh (2021) and last year Gentleman De Mee; this year he saddles Ile Atlantique - the choice of Paul Townend - Gentleman De Mee and O'Moore Park.

At Tramore on New Year's Day Il Atlantique finished some way behind Heart Wood in second but some way ahead of Croke Park in third and Gentleman De Mee in sixth. Next time at the Dublin Racing Festival he made a mistake two out and weakened off the home turn when eighth behind Backmeorsackme, with O'Moore Park twelfth and Croke Park thirteenth.  

Gentleman De Mee won off a mark of 155 last year (Lisnamult Lad second, The King Of Prs eighth, Soul Icon ninth, Excello fourteenth, and Eldorado Allen seventeenth) while 2023 winner Bill Baxter tries again and looked to have benefitted from wind surgery when second to King Of Answers at Kelso eight weeks ago.

Boombawn, fourth off 153 in the Old Roan behind Hitman in the autumn, was sent off an 80/1 shot for the Racing Plate; he runs off 146 here and won a handicap hurdle race at this track in 2023.

Back in November I tipped Coming Up Easy for the Paddy Power Gold Cup won by Panic Attack.

Henry De Bromhead's charge raced prominently but made an absolute howler three out and was pulled up; he hasn't seen a racecourse since. In a rushed interview just before the off at Cheltenham the trainer seemed to indicate soft ground wouldn't be ideal so I imagine connections won't want to see much more rain.

Top weight Il Est Francais will forever be remembered for the way he destroyed his field from the front in the 2023 Kauto Star at Kempton. He nearly repeated the trick in the 2024 King George but made a mistake at the last and was collared by Banbridge on the run-in. 

This season he has been pulled up twice, behind Jango Baie at Ascot and The Jukebox Man (et al) back at Kempton. Wind surgery since may have helped but, to date, he has shown his best form in this country on a right-handed track.

Confirmed front runner Mahons Glory showed his liking for these fences when finishing fourth behind Colonel Harry in the 2025 Great Sefton and then, four weeks later, fifth behind Twig in the Becher; he goes off a career high mark of 139.

The one I like and will chance is Prairie Wolf who has shown improvement this season particularly in his last two runs - I'm hoping there's more to come - and who now goes off a career high mark of 141; his ninth at Cheltenham on Trials Day is forgiven as the yard was out of sorts around that time.

His third behind Booster Bob over an extended trip in the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial at Newbury in November suggests the pair are closely matched. 

Connections have opted to come here rather than go to Ayr next weekend and he has been supported in the market this evening; in a recent Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 28.01-01.02.26] Joel Parkinson said, 'Two miles on good to soft ground is perfect for him.' 

Prairie Wolf is the each-way suggestion, 12/1 at the time of writing with bet365, Betfred and Coral all paying six places.

Aintree 2025 - Friday

After Willie Mullins trains the winners of the first four races on Thursday's card, here are two selections for Ladies' Day... 

On New Year's Day I bet Lounge Lizard in a race at Cheltenham - watching his jumping there was no cure for anyone's hangover and certainly no way to celebrate the new year.

However five weeks ago he bounced back to form to win on good to soft ground at Huntingdon.

The Topham (4.05) has been the long-term target; he missed last year's renewal after he banged himself and went lame 24 hours before the race. 

Trainer Henry Daly said his charge jumped well and enjoyed himself over these fences in the 2023 Becher (prominent, weakened from two out) but he never got home in soft ground.

The step back to two miles five and drying conditions here are positives; he's quirky but, if he's in the mood, I think he can be competitive.

Lounge Lizard is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 20/1 with bet365 and 18/1 with William Hill, both paying six places.

The concluding conditional jockeys' and amateur riders' handicap hurdle (5.15) looks monstrous; two have piqued interest - but you'd probably be better off with a visit to https://www.jokaroom.io/en/casino-bonuses 

Afadil appears well handicapped, having finished third in this last year off a mark of 130 and racing off 124 tomorrow.

Last time out he looked a tad unfortunate to be mugged close home by Go Dante in the Imperial Cup at Sandown, losing second spot to Wreckless Eric in the shadow of the post. Connections fit cheekpieces for the first time to help the cause.

Handicap debutants include Celtic Dino, Diamonds For Luck, Jack Hyde and Grimaud; Dylan Johnson prefers Celtic Dino ahead of top weight Lump Sum.

Fiercely Proud brings strong handicap form to the table, having finished sixth in the Greatwood, and then winning the Ladbrokes Hurdle at Ascot just before Christmas. Ben Pauling's charge was found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat when pulled up in the William Hill Hurdle (formerly the Betfair Hurdle) at Newbury in February.

Moon Chime has been well backed during the day and is now 10/1 generally, 12/1 with Ladbrokes. 

After beating Balhambar nine lengths at Stratford last month, joint trainer Graeme McPherson said they were pleased to see Moon Chime back to the horse they thought they had following recent wind surgery. 

The handicapper raised him 11 pounds for that effort; connections hinted that the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock might be next on the agenda after this. 

He needs a good quick two miles and I'd imagine that's what he'll get here; Nick Slatter had been pencilled in to ride but I see Mr Tommie M O'Brien, claiming three, is in the saddle.

I had an each-way interest in Alnilam in the Morebattle at Kelso last time, when I also happened to learn the horse is named after the central star in Orion's belt, located between Mintaka and Alnitak. 

Anyway, Olly Murphy's star looked the winner turning for home but was collared by Cracking Rhapsody on the climb to the line (Old Gregorian noted with a career best in third, Slugger fourth and Cormier sixth). 

This flat track and drying ground will suit and Beau Morgan's five pounds allowance means he's effectively competing off a mark two pounds lower.

Having missed the fancy prices about Moon Chime, I'll take an each-way interest in Alnilam, 14/1 generally with most layers paying five places.

Aintree antipasti

Today's cards at Fontwell and Wetherby have been abandoned due to waterlogging, along with tomorrow's at Kelso and Stratford; Uttoxeter has reported standing water in places with a precautionary inspection due to take place at 7.30 on the morning.

So, very early thoughts on Aintree next week...

Three horses with the Topham (4.05 Friday) as their stated target are: Your Darling; Arizona Cardinal; and Lounge Lizard. 

Your Darling: owned by Lord Vestey, he hasn't been seen since beating Flegmatik nine lengths at Ascot in November. He was raised nine pounds for that win, after which trainer Ben Pauling said:

"Your Darling is probably the most frustrating horse I'll ever train - if only he turned up every time. He's probably one of the most talented horses I've trained in a long time and when he wants to do it he's electric. When he got deep into one there, he still landed 15 yards out the other side of it but he doesn't want to want to do it, he flops through it. It's quite clear the rating doesn't overly matter to him. It's whether he wants to do it or not." 

His profile suggests he probably prefers better ground - if he's in the mood, that is.

Arizona Cardinal: beat One True King 14 lengths to win the Forba Gold Cup at Ludlow in February; subsequently raised nine pounds, he handles soft ground. 

Lounge Lizard: last to finish (fifth) in the war of attrition that was this year's Becher Chase, 137 lengths behind winner Chambard. He then finished just under two lengths behind Ga Law at Cheltenham in January before rallying to beat Dibble Decker a neck at Huntingdon at the beginning of March. After that win, handler Henry Daly said:

"We'll aim Lounge Lizard at the Topham. He ran a corker at Cheltenham in January and I don't think Huntingdon suits him all that well. Aintree will suit him better and he loved jumping around there before."

Last year's Topham winner Bill Baxter goes off the same mark this year. 

Handler Warren Greatrex was confident his charge would stay further this season and wasn't displeased with eighth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December. The acid test came at Haydock in the Tommy Whittle where the grey weakened from two out to finish fourth behind Famous Bridge. He was subsequently eighth behind Ga Law and Lounge Lizard at Cheltenham and, to my mind, hasn't been in the same form this term. 

Two Dan Skelton horses missed Cheltenham and hold possible Aintree targets: Boombawn (desperate for better ground) and Etalon (Maghull Novices' Chase on Saturday).

Returning from an absence of 458 days, Highstakesplayer won well at Kempton in February but disappointed at Newbury three weeks later. He could run in the three mile one handicap chase on Saturday. 

I've done nothing at all on the Grand National (4.00 Saturday) with this year's field reduced to 34 runners for the first time. However I note that last year Corach Rambler (10-05) beat Vanillier (10-06) in second and Noble Yeats (11-11) in fourth; this year Corach Rambler carries 11-05, Vanillier 10-11 and Noble Yeats 11-11. Many Clouds won the 2015 renewal with a burden of 11-09.

Finally, I'll be interested to see if Ruth Jefferson declares her River Don winner Kerryhill here.

Aintree 2021 - very brief notes on Friday's card

Pressed for time this evening unfortunately...

Two I thought worth a second look in the Topham (4.05 - run over the National fences): Senior Citizen and Sir Jack Yeats.

In the Weekender Alan King appears more bullish about the chance of Senior Citizen than his two National entries, namely Canelo and Talkischeap. It's well known the Grand National is not one of Mr King's favourite races:

"Friday's Randox Topham Handicap Chase has been the plan for Senior Citizen all season, and he could run a big race.

"He ran really well over the fences in the Grand Sefton on ground too soft for him in December. His jumping was super and he travelled strongly for most of the way before failing to get home having been in second place at the last fence. 

"He shaped encouragingly at Newbury on his return from a winter break and has been in good form at home since.

The forecast looks favourable and I just hope they don't over-water the track as he's a proper good-ground horse."

Current stable form is a concern with just one winner from 35 runners in the past fortnight.

Sir Jack Yeats is of interest on the back of his five length second to Beau Bay in the Grand Sefton; he raced from three pounds out of the handicap that day and is four pounds 'wrong' tomorrow. 

He took over the lead from Crievehill at the sixth in the Sefton and jumped the last two lengths ahead of his field but he was thwarted by Beau Bay creeping up the inside on the run to the elbow, eventually beaten five lengths.

Richard Spencer's charge followed up with a respectable third behind Doitforthevillage at Sandown at the turn of the year and was then given a break before taking in a couple of runs at Fakenham, most recently over hurdles. He was beaten 23 lengths that day and I'd like to think that helped bring the gelding back to peak fitness...

In tomorrow's Sefton Novices' Hurdle (4.40) Bravemansgame steps up in distance but is a Lingstown point winner over three miles; he is some way clear of his rivals on official ratings. 

That said, Joe Tizzard reported Oscar Elite 'bucking and squealing' after finishing second behind Vanillier at Cheltenham three weeks ago - those in behind re-opposing tomorrow include Streets Of Doyen (third), Alaphilippe (fifth), Champagnesuperover (seventh) and Pats Fancy (thirteenth).

Finally, a list of Irish trained entries in handicaps for those readers following a thread from previous posts...

1.45 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle:

Tronador.

4.05 Topham Handicap Chase:

Livelovelaugh; Visioman; Snugsborough Hall; Dunvegan; Robin Des Foret.

5.15 Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle:

Bold Enough.

By way of a postscript I haven't completely given up on Rowland Ward who runs in the finale. He went into the notebook over a year ago when badly hampered in a Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham. 

Unfortunately he has had a tough time of it this year and underwent wind surgery in February. 

Last time out he finished fourth behind Xcitations, losing three places after jumping the penultimate flight; Xcitations ran well behind Vision Du Puy at Haydock last weekend. I'd hope the better ground and fitting of a tongue-tie will help Stuart Edmunds' charge to finish off his race.

Long shorts

Trinity Mirror has sold The Racing Post to a private equity operation based in Irealnd for £170 million, some way below the £200 million asking price. The Times reports that, as part of the deal, £10 million will be given to racing charities and several million spent on developing the online product.

Top two year old Winker Watson has suffered a setback on the gallops and will miss the rest of the season. An ambitious plan had outlined his taking in the Middle Park on Friday followed by the Dewhurst.

The Arc build-up has started in earnest, with Dettori telling all who will listen that Authorized is the best horse in the race and he simply needs luck in running. Peter Chapple-Hyam's bullish comments about the horse following a recent piece of work appear to add weight to the jockey's claims.

At the five day declaration stage fifteen horses are left in the Arc, the Aidan O'Brien stable accounting for seven of that number. Most commentators are envisaging soft ground at Longchamp which may account for Dylan Thomas, the mount of Kieren Fallon, drifting out to 8/1 in Blue Square's ante-post book.

Mrs Tips keeps telling me Christmas is just around the corner; with that in mind, a book which may be of interest to some racing fans is Aintree's Queen Bee, Mirabel Topham and the Grand National, written Joan Rimmer and published by SportsBooks Ltd. This review in The Liverpool Daily Post gives a good feel for the content.