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SPRING has sprung (apparently) and that can only mean one thing… all eyes turn to the 2024 Grand National Festival at Aintree for three days of electrifying racing!
In our Grand National Thursday preview, we cover all the runners and riders with eye-catching statistics and fascinating trends to give bettors the edge over the bookmakers.
Best horse racing betting sites to bet on Grand National 2024
Grand National Festival 2024 Day 1 Races
There are seven races scheduled for Day One of the Grand National Festival 2024.
Below are the dates, times and everything you’ll need to know.
| Time | Race | Distance | Type |
| 1.45pm | The Close Brothers Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 | 2m 4f | Chase |
| 2.20pm | The Boodles Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 | 2m 1f | Hurdle |
| 2.55pm | The William Hill Bowl Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 | 3m 1f | Chase |
| 3.30pm | The William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 | 2m 4f | Hurdle |
| 4.05pm | The Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase | 2m 5f | Chase |
| 4.40pm | The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 3 | 2m | Chase |
| 5.15pm | The Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2) | 2m 1f | Flat |
About Grand National Thursday
Day One at the 2024 Grand National Festival is the curtain-raiser for one of the biggest events in the sporting calendar. More than 150,000 people will attend Aintree Racecourse over the course of the three-day event, which will be watched by hundreds of millions around the world. There are four Grade 1 races due to take place at Aintree on Thursday, with the highlights being the Aintree Bowl (2.50pm) and Aintree Hurdle (3.25pm).
THE SUNGrand National Day 1 predictions and best odds
Here, we take a closer look at all seven races and provide our best bets, tips and analysis for Day One of the Grand National Festival, starting with the Grade 1 Close Brothers Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase.
Manifesto Novices’ Chase bets and best odds
The first of FOUR Grade 1s in a row, Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning is the favourite to win the Manifesto Novices’ Chase. He achieved success in the Novices Chase last month, and should love proper soft to heavy ground at Aintree on Thursday. Ginny’s Destiny, who followed Grey Dawning in by two lengths at Cheltenham, is next in the market at 3/1 for Paul Nicholls and will also love the ground. Il Etait Temps is the last of the serious contenders and might just fancy a return to this longer trip after his third-placed finish in the Arkle.
- Grey Dawning 1/1
- Ginny’s Destiny 3/1
- Il Etait Temps 7/2
- Blow Your Wad 8/1
- Colonel Harry 25/1
Jewson Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle bets and best odds
Sir Gino is the odds-on favourite to win the second Grade 1 of the day at around 5/6 with most bookmakers. The Nicky Henderson superstar was a no-show at Cheltenham, but the trainer is infinitely more positive ahead of Aintree. He said: “The horses seem really well in themselves, the last work has all been done, they seem bright and perky and we’re looking forward to it.” He’s likely to be too strong for his rivals that include 7/2 chance Kargese. The Willie Mullins-trained 4YO looked the fastest horse in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham but was outstayed by Majborough. Kalif Du Berlais is next in the betting markets having bypassed the Cheltenham Festival with Aintree in mind.
- Sir Gino 5/6
- Kargese 7/2
- Kalif Du Berlais 9/2
- Nurburgring 17/2
- Intellotto 14/1
- Dirty Den 100/1
Aintree Bowl Chase bets and best odds
Gerri Colombe enters the Aintree Bowl as the narrow favourite for victory ahead of Shishkin and Corbetts Cross. Gordon Elliott’s eight-year-old has finished second to Galopin Des Champs in his last two outings – including the Gold Cup. Shishkin is next and will have fond memories of Aintree having won this race 12 months ago for Nicky Henderson. Corbetts Cross arrives after a career-best performance in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
- Gerri Colombe 11/8
- Shishkin 3/1
- Corbetts Cross 7/2
- Bravemansgame 15/2
- Ahoy Senor 9/1
- Gentlemansgame 20/1
- Thunder Rock 25/1
William Hill Aintree Hurdle bets and best odds
Favourite Bob Olinger is another who skipped Cheltenham with Aintree in mind. The Henry De Bromhead horse hasn’t been seen since finishing second to State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle in February, but still looks the one to beat having bolted up in the Relkeel Hurdle in January. Impaire Et Passe is his nearest rival and though without a win in his last three, finishing within a length of Teahupoo and three behind State Man are considered top performances.
- Bob Olinger 5/4
- Impaire Et Passe 2/1
- Langer Dan 8/1
- Luccia 9/1
- Nemean Lion 12/1
- Marie’s Rock 14/1
Randox Foxhunters’ Chase bets and best odds
Run over those famous Grand National fences, the Foxhunters’ Chase is for amateur riders and looks a wide-open affair. It’s On The Line is the narrow fancy at around 7/2 but was a long way back when falling in this race last year. Annamix and Spyglass Hill are locked together at 4/1 with the former an easy winner in heavy conditions at Gowran last time out (March). However, It’s On The Line has beaten him in all of their previous encounters.
- Its On The Line 4/1
- Spyglass Hill 9/2
- Time Leader 9/2
- Annamix 5/1
- Romeo Magico 15/2
- Bennys King 9/1
- Gaboriot 9/1
- 16/1 Bar
Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase bets and best odds
The Red Rum Handicap contested over 2m has 15 runners set for the premier handicap which is wide open in the market, with prices starting at 6’s. Unexpected Party is the early favourite after his big win for the Skeltons at Cheltenham Festival in the Grand Annual, but has to contend with an 8lb rise. There are bigger prices that appeal with the likes of seven-year-old Homme Public showing great form this season. While Dancing On My Own makes the trip over from Ireland with Rachael Blackmore on board.
- Unexpected Party 9/2
- Path D’oroux 5/1
- Saint Roi 13/2
- Homme Public 13/2
- Dancing On My Own 7/1
- Heltenham 8/1
- Sans Bruit 9/1
- Whiskeywealth 11/1
- Bythesametoken 11/1
- 12/1 Bar
Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat bets and best odds
The final race of the opening day is the Grade 2 bumper, a National Hunt Flat race for mares with many top trainers sending a runner for the £28k prize. The Willie Mullins-trained Baby Kate is the favourite after her clear success at Cheltenham in November and may take a lot of beating based on her listed success. Dan Skelton’s Honky Tonk Highway will be popular after winning well at Sandown last month, also in listed company. In-form trainer Ben Pauling has a great chance at a nice price with Diva Luna, who was only three lengths away from Honky Tonk Highway in a point to point in October but also won in her first bumper.
- Baby Kate 3/1
- Honky Tonk Highway 5/1
- Diva Luna 6/1
- Jubilee Alpha 13/2
- Speculatrix 17/2
- Listentoyourheart 10/1
- Mongibello 11/1
- 14/1 Bar
How to bet on Grand National races for Day 1
Top class racing deserves a top class bookmakers, and there’s plenty to choose from in our list above. Here’s a quick guide on how to place your bets for the 2024 Grand National Festival.
- Choose an online bookmaker form our list.
- Visit the site and sign up for an account.
- Verify your account and make a deposit.
- Head over to the horse racing section of the site.
- Select the race you wish to bet on.
- Look through the available markets and select your bet.
Don’t miss other Grand National Festival previews
- Grand National Ladies’ Day preview
- Grand National Day preview
FAQ about Grand National Day 1
Can I use a Grand National Day 1 preview to improve my bet-winning chances?
Picking a winning bet involves a lot of things; skill, a bit of luck but also research. Using previews can help you secure the best free bets out there on the market, ensuring you have more in your betting bank heading into the racing on day two. Not just that, you can notice trends in previous winners and recognise a stable’s first choice jockey, giving an indication who the yard prefer if a trainer runs more than one horse.
What factors should I consider when choosing which horses to bet on for Thursday races?
There are several key components to consider when making a selection at Aintree. Most importantly though is the horse’s form and how they’ve been faring. Top Jockeys and trainers will also have a huge bearing in any race and the Grand National Festival odds so keep an eye on any market movers. As well as that, it’s important to consider other horses performances, track conditions, past results and trends in previous winners. Track preference is also key – how do they do running left-hand courses?
Are there any special promotions or offers from bookmakers for Grand National Thursday races?
Yes, you can find special Grand National Festival 2024 betting offers and free bets. For events like Aintree there will always be a battle for your custom, so make sure you shop around. Most bookies will have some form of price boost on the big race for the day and even sometimes for most races, particularly containing a big name. These could also take the form of daily doubles or accumulators, where two or more strong favourites for the day are put together in a multiple at bigger odds. There will be an abundance of free bets handed out over the course of the four days too – for runners that fall, lose but finish in the places or when you bet on a certain race – so keep an eye out for those.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
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