Grand National Meeting 2025 – Day 1 Tips and Betting Preview

The countdown is on to the Grand National with the famous Aintree meeting getting underway with a seriously good looking card on Thursday where the popular Constitution Hill will look to make up for his Champion Hurdle disappointment when he lines up in the Aintree Hurdle.

That is the feature race on the opening day card but his form is hard to judge after his fall three weeks ago so we’ll focus on the two races which follow that, the first which gives us a taste of what we can expect on Saturday and a decent handicap to follow.

4.05 Aintree: Foxhunters Chase

Our first view of the National fences this year for the Foxhunters & as ever, it’s a very open event.  The one I’m drawn to at a price is Gracchus De Balme.  Formerly trained in Ireland, this 9 year old has been a bit of a mixed bag over fences despite being 2 from 2 in PTP’s but there’s reason to believe today might just be the biggest day of his career.  After winning a PTP in November, he came over to the UK & ran a mighty race in a hunters chase at Haydock where he only gave way to leading fancy for today’s race, My Drogo, inside the last 100 yards.   That day, he adopted a prominent position, travelled strongly & jumped for fun out in front.  He met his fences well & a good jumping display at a track like Haydock is always a positive.  Off similar terms & over a slightly shorter trip, I fancy him to turn the tables especially if he adopts similar positive tactics to keep himself out of trouble.   He’s had one run since but I’m ok ignoring that as the heavy ground did not see him to best effect & he probably hadn’t gotten over his Haydock exertions.  Freshened up for this, he should go close with a clear round.

Tips

Back Gracchus De Balme (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 21.00 William Hill (⅕ odds 1-5)

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4.40 Aintree

This looks like being a red hot handicap chase with no shortage of contenders but, continuing down the value angle, General Medrano looks overpriced.   Just 2 starts ago, he was less than 2 lengths behind Petit Tonnerre when he hit the front too soon but is now 3lbs better off with that rival & is double the price.  His most recent run was at Cheltenham & to be fair, he ran well in 8th staying on well until not quite getting up the hill after the last.   Back on a flatter track, where he’s shown all his best form, I’d be hopeful of a better showing & with his yard in decent nick too, all looks in place for a big run.   I fancy the pace to be strong here so the fact he can sit off it & general is a very strong traveller is another plus.  The ground is perfect too as anything in between good and good to soft is where he’s gained all his best form.  At double figure odds, he’s the best value in a difficult heat.

Tips

Back General Medrano (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 15.00 William Hill (⅕ odds 1-4)

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