It's day one of the Grand National Festival to kick off the meeting as we count down to the marquee event on Saturday and the world's most famous steeplechase.
Crowds will flock to Mersyeside over the next three days for the Aintree extravaganza and Record Sport tipster Garry Owen will bring you his hot tips every day.
There is money to be made this week and our man's nap is Conflated for Gordon Elliott in the Aintree Bowl on the first day of action. Here's his tips in full.
AINTREE
1.45 BANBRIDGE
2.20 NUSRET
2.55 CONFLATED (NAP)
3.30 CONSTITUTION HILL
4.05 LATENIGHTPASS
4.40 PAY THE PIPER
5.15 NOTKEEPINYAGOING
BANBRIDGE (1.45) can set the agenda for Joseph O’Brien in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase. The high-quality hurdler bolted up from Indigo Breeze on his fencing debut over 2m 4f at Gowran. He then defied a drop back to two miles when thrashing Tommy's Oscar in a Cheltenham Grade 2. The seven-year-old ran another blinder when third to Mighty Potter in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse. He wasn’t disgraced again when giving El Fabiolo most problems in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown. The gelding is top-class so he can reward O’Brien’s choice to skip the Festival by taking this Grade 1.
The Owning Hill Maestro can also bag the Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle with NUSRET (2.20) The useful Flat-performer hacked up from Morning Soldier switched to timber at Punchestown. The gelding stayed on track with a fine third to Lossiemouth in Grade 2 company at Leopardstown. He kept up the good work when filling the same spot behind the classy Bloddy Destiny at Fairyhouse. The four-year-old built on those efforts when brushing aside Peresus Way in the Adonis at Kempton. The juvenile clearly has a bright future so he can add this fascinating Grade 1 to his ever-growing CV.
Conflated (2:55) can put it all together in the Aintree Bowl on Day One of this year’s Grand National Festival. Gordon Elliott’s charge seemed to promise more than he delivered during his early chasing career. However, he finally hit his stride by routing Minella Indo in the 2022 Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown. The gelding then ran well for a long way before falling two out the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. The Gigginstown raider soon hit back with a fine second to Clan Des Obeaux in this race last year. The bay needed the run when third to Envoi Allen on his return in the Down Royal Champion Chase. He quickly put that effort to good use when slamming Kemboy in the Savilles back at Leopardstown. The star was then a shade unlucky when third to Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The son of Yates will be much better suited by this flatter track so he can claim a red-hot Grade 1.
CONSTITUTION HILL (3.30) should write another chapter in his legend in the Aintree Hurdle. Nicky Henderson’s horse looked a real superstar when carrying all before him as a novice last term. He largely confirmed that impression when crushing Epatante in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle.
The gelding gave his stablemate an even sounder thrashing in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. Those triumphs meant that only another command performance would do in the Champion itself. And the six-year-old delivered with an effortless defeat of State Man in the Cheltenham feature. The bay’s strong-travelling style looks tailor-made for 2m 4f so he should continue his dominance.
LATENIGHTPASS (4.05) can repeat last year’s triumph in the Aintree Foxhunters’ Chase. Tom Ellis’ star showed a liking for this unique test when second in the 2021 renewal of this race. Off for 364-days, he showed the benefits of wind surgery when slaying Cat Tiger 12 months ago. Not seen since, the bold-galloper can defy his absence by following-up under skilled Gina Andrews.
PAY THE PIPER (4.40) can call the tune for Ann Hamilton in the Red Rum Handicap Chase. The eight-year-old held his own against some of the best novices’ around for much of last season. However, the gelding seemed to go off the boil with some disappointing efforts earlier this term. The bay hit back when decisively defeating Fidelio Vallis in the Scottish Champion at Musselburgh. He soon recorded another career best when chinned by the upwardly mobile Clico at Doncaster. The chaser will be trained to the minute so he can cap his yard’s superb run by taking this big prize.
NOTKEEPINYAGOING (5.15) can shade the Goffs Nickle Coin Bumper for John McConnell. The mare earned a transfer to the Meath Ace by cosily dismissing Carlotalin in a point at Oldcastle. She justified that move when hosing up from Presnting J on her Rules debut at Galway in October. The six-year-old has been given time to develop so she can deny some exciting rivals on her return.
