UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

Willie Mullins has won two of the last three renewals with fillies and has another strong contender in SELMA DE VARY, who comes into this after fine efforts in defeat at the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham. Having raced keenly before encountering trouble, her fourth in the Triumph Hurdle can be upgraded and this flatter course might help her to get into a better rhythm. Triumph runner-up Maestro Conti should make a bold bid to uphold the Festival form with the selection, while the third home Minella Study must also be taken seriously given those who race on the front end tend to do well here. Mange Tout could also be on the premises.
Prediction : 1st Selma De Vary 2nd Maestro Conti 3rd Minella Study

LULAMBA is already a Grade 1 winner over fences and his commendable third in the Arkle was a game effort considering his pedigree and style of running have always suggested a longer trip should suit. This race was mentioned shortly after Cheltenham and taking into account that he is by far the highest-rated contender, Nicky Henderson's five-year-old is hard to oppose. Koktail Divin is respected but has 12lb to find based on the official ratings, while Jax Junior (18 lengths and one place behind Lulamba in the Arkle) and Mambonumberfive face even sterner tests off level weights.
Prediction : 1st Lulamba 2nd Koktail Divin 3rd Jax Junior

With his Gold Cup conqueror Gaelic Warrior not bidding for back-to-back wins in this race, JANGO BAIE is the logical choice after his gallant second in last month's Cheltenham Festival showpiece. With the world at his feet as an improving seven-year-old, Nicky Henderson's charge is in the right age bracket to firmly establish himself as a stayer of the highest order. With his illustrious connections targeting Spillane's Tower at this rather than the Grand National on Saturday, the dual Group 1 winner can provide a stern test for the selection. Protektorat, Impaire Et Passe and Pic D'Orhy all have oodles of class so this is by no means a two-horse race.
Prediction : 1st Jango Baie 2nd Spillanes Tower 3rd Impaire Et Passe

Barton Snow and Its On The Line clash again after their epic encounter at the Cheltenham Festival where Joe O'Shea's charge came out on top, despite making a complete mess of the final fence. There has to be a slight concern whether the race has taken enough out of him and it may well be that the runner-up, who won this in 2024, is able to reverse the form. That said, the pair come up against a fresh rival in the shape of UNEXPECTED PARTY, who seems to have had this as a long-term aim since being switched to the hunter chase sphere. He has been a comfortable winner at Taunton and Haydock and the strong-travelling grey should be ideally suited to the demands of these fences. Others to consider include Golden Son, who is likely to benefit from dropping back in trip after finishing fourth at Cheltenham, Lets Go Champ and Java Point.
Prediction : 1st Unexpected Party 2nd Its On The Line 3rd Golden Son

Just half a length separated BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD and The New Lion when they chased home Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle and Gordon Elliott's mare is expected to confirm her superiority. There has been a suspicion that she has never been at her best at Cheltenham, but there was no disgrace in her effort last month and the seven-year-old boasts a much stronger level of form. Alexei was running really well until making a bad mistake at the last when fourth in the Champion and he will be a live threat if his stamina holds out, while Potters Charm arrives here following a brace of victories at Windsor and Fontwell.
Prediction : 1st Brighterdaysahead 2nd The New Lion 3rd Alexei

Having won this contest for the last two years, SANS BRUIT merits the utmost respect. The eight-year-old is 3lb higher than those two victories this time around, but he is 6lb below his last winning mark and it would be no surprise to see him make it a hat-trick. Jasko Des Dames was fifth in the Grand Annual last month and this speed test is likely to play to his strengths. Brookie was second in a Grade 1 at this meeting 12 months ago and should not be underestimated back in handicap company, while Inthepocket and Highlands Legacy are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Sans Bruit 2nd Jasko Des Dames 3rd Brookie

PRINCESS DAY confirmed the promise that she displayed when making a winning debut under Rules by following up under a penalty at Newbury. The point-to-point winner looks to have a very bright future and Jeremy Scott's mare sets a decent standard. Martini Majesty also showed plenty of ability when beginning her career with an Ascot triumph and she should not be discounted, while Nan's Choice edges out Burds Of A Feather and Ti'mamzel to be best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Princess Day 2nd Martini Majesty 3rd Nans Choice