UK Horse Racing Tips: Aintree

SALVATOR MUNDI won the Grade 1 novices' hurdle at this meeting last year and must be taken seriously after he came good with a facile success over fences at Thurles in February. That was just his third start in this discipline and was a big improvement on his previous disappointing sixth in the Racing Post Chase at Leopardstown. Despite this being a more demanding task, the return to this flatter course could be instrumental for the six-year-old taking another big step forward. Mighty Bandit has also made solid progress and fully deserves a crack at a Grade 1 after winning three of his four starts as a chaser. He is progressive and looks a big danger to the selection. Kala Conti's defeat of the subsequent Arkle winner Kargese at Cork reads very well and is the ready pick of Gordon Elliott's pair. Be Aware disappointed in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham but is another who should find this course more to his liking.
Prediction : 1st Salvator Mundi 2nd Mighty Bandit 3rd Kala Conti

Dan Skelton has excelled in this event and sends out Supremely West with a decent chance of becoming his yard's fourth winner since 2019. The eight-year-old appreciated the return to 3m when he emerged as the ready winner of Pertemps at Cheltenham and assuming this doesn't come too soon, he can go close. However, a 9lb rise does require more and with that in mind, a chance is taken on QUANTUM QUEST making the most of a fair chance on these terms. The Henry De Bromhead-trained six-year-old stays well, is effective on the ground and has a 5lb pull with the Skelton horse from the last time they met. The class-dropping Fortune Timmy, the in-form Hold The Serve and Absolutely Doyen are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Quantum Quest 2nd Supremely West 3rd Fortune Timmy

Gordon Elliott has won the last four renewals and can extend the run with BALLYFAD. Having been kicked at the start in a messy beginning to the Turners at Cheltenham, it can pay to overlook the five-year-old's latest start and judge him on the progress he made beforehand. Having filled the runner-up berth in Grade 1 company at the Dublin Racing Festival, his credentials are solid. The fact he flies the flag as Elliott's sole runner is a key signal of intent. Bossman Jack fared better to finish sixth in the Turners and is a serious player once again. The dependable Scorpio Rising, Charisma Cat and Came From Nowhere all have each-way appeal.
Prediction : 1st Ballyfad 2nd Bossman Jack 3rd Scorpio Rising

CRUZ CONTROL lifted this prize in 2024 and a trio of moderate efforts didn't stop him from repeating the dose 12 months ago. Tom Lacey's charge arrives in similar form this time around but this will have undoubtedly be the target, especially seeing as he's only 1lb higher than last year. It would be quite the feat to win this again but this C&D clearly brings out the best in him. Dan Skelton's Mr Hope Street has few miles on the clock over fences and makes considerable appeal from a handy weight, as does Ladbrokes Trophy winner Lookaway, for all that a 6lb rise will make things tougher. Ben Pauling was bullish about the chances of Bad at Kempton latest so don't write him off at a big price.
Prediction : 1st Cruz Control 2nd Mr Hope Street 3rd Lookaway

A fine renewal of this illustrious contest, not least because last year's one-two Hiddenvalley Lake and Strong Leader lock horns again. Shock Stayers' Hurdle winner Home By The Lee bids to be the first veteran to win this since the classy Sire Du Berlais in 2022 and 2023, whilst the impressive BetMGM Cup victor Jingko Blue deserves to take his chance at this level and must not be underestimated. Stable companion Impose Toi was pulled up in the Stayers' but he did land the Long Walk at Ascot in December. The fact he isn't even near the top of the betting market currently shows just how competitive this is, so it isn't much of a surprise that only a tentative vote can go to HONESTY POLICY. Gordon Elliott's charge has work to do to reverse form with a few of these but it the way in which he travelled into the contest at Cheltenham was taking. Last year's Mersey success still lives fresh in the memory so returning to a flatter track will be no bad thing and if a first-time tongue-tie can work the oracle, he may well take a significant step forward.
Prediction : 1st Honesty Policy 2nd Hiddenvalley Lake 3rd Home By The Lee

GRANGECLARE WEST may well have challenged for victory 12 months ago had he not made a bad mistake at the final fence before staying on strongly from the Elbow to finish third. Following the same route of all three of Willie Mullins' Aintree heroes, having landed the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse last time, he has a strong chance of going two places better. 2024 winner I Am Maximus split him and the now-absent Nick Rockett when attempting to defend his crown and arrives having shown high-class form when runner-up in the Savills at Leopardstown in December. Cheekpieces go back on to aid his cause but he may need softer ground to be truly at his best. Iroko's lack of experience may have told when fourth 12 months ago and he had a valid excuse for underperforming when scoping dirty after the Ultima at Cheltenham, where the same owner's Johnnywho got the better of Jagwar. The latter is a particularly interesting runner and is equipped with first-time cheekpieces, but his tendency to clout the odd fence could hamper his claims. Panic Attack already has two major handicap successes to her name this campaign with the Paddy Power/Coral Gold Cup double and she has to be respected along with Monty's Star, who ran with plenty of promise in the Irish Gold Cup, Haiti Couleurs and Captain Cody.
Prediction : 1st Grangeclare West 2nd Iroko 3rd Panic Attack

Bass Hunter sets a high standard and has strong claims on his resolute third in last month's Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Another bold bid is anticipated with Harry Cobden taking over the reins, but LOOK ME could prove up to the challenge. The French-bred five-year-old represents last year's winning connections and returned to action with a taking victory at Fairyhouse last month. Willie Mullins' charge had a subsequent winner back in third and it would be no surprise if he proves capable at this higher level. One Knight is going the right way and landed a brace with last month's Hereford success, while Ronnie Russet and The Perfect Poet could also shape well.
Prediction : 1st Look Me 2nd Bass Hunter 3rd One Knight