Who are the three bankers that punters have picked out for day 2 of Aintree Festival?
Day 2 of the Aintree Festival brings with it another action-packed card, and punters have been busy placing their bets.
We’ve analysed the data and can reveal the three most backed horses through oddschecker on Friday — all of whom look primed for big runs based on recent form and betting trends.
You can combine them to make a massive 79/1 acca with AKBets, it is as short as 57/1 elsewhere.
Click here to add it to your betslip.
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1. Handstands – 13:45 Mildmay Novices' Chase (43% of bets)
The most backed horse of the day is Handstands, who has taken 43% of all bets placed on the opening race of the afternoon.
You can back this bet at a best price of 5/2 here.
Trained by Ben Pauling, this progressive novice chaser skipped Cheltenham to arrive here fresh, and that decision could pay off.
After falling on his chasing debut, Handstands has since gone unbeaten in three starts — including back-to-back Grade 2 victories and a narrow but gutsy Grade 1 win over Jango Baie at Sandown in February.
That victory marked him as one of the top British novice chasers this season. His record now stands at seven wins from nine starts, and crucially, he’s won on both good and heavy ground.
With doubts surrounding the stamina of his rivals and questions over ground preference, many punters are banking on Handstands to deliver again on this flatter, right-handed track.
2. Romeo Coolio – 14:55 Top Novices' Hurdle (44% of bets)
Just behind in popularity — but leading the way in his own race — is Romeo Coolio, who has attracted 44% of bets in the Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle.
You can back this bet at a best price of 13/8 here.
The six-year-old produced a standout performance at Cheltenham when finishing third in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, chasing home two potential stars in Kopek Des Bordes and William Munny.
A winner of the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle earlier in the season, Romeo Coolio has already proven he belongs at this level.
He’s battle-hardened, has strong festival form, and looks well-suited to the flat nature of Aintree.
With many of today’s rivals either unproven or error-prone, the Kayf Tara gelding is shaping up as the punter’s pick to land another big one for Gordon Elliott.
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3. Impose Toi – 14:20 Handicap Hurdle (20% of bets)
Impose Toi completes the trio of most backed horses and has taken 20% of bets in the competitive 2m4f handicap hurdle.
You can back this bet at a best price of 15/2 here.
Trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by JP McManus, the seven-year-old arrives on the back of a career-best effort when runner-up in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.
That run saw him travel smoothly into contention before being reeled in late by Jimmy Du Seuil. The form of that race has been well-advertised, and with only a 4lb rise in the weights, many believe he still holds strong claims.
A previous winner at Newbury, he’s proven on similar ground and stays this trip well.
With Henderson’s strong record at Aintree and the backing of one of racing’s most successful owners, it’s no surprise to see Impose Toi so popular with punters.
