Aintree Tips Day 1: Find Andy Robson's NAP, Next Best, EW bets plus football double on Thursday

• Three Racing tips and a Football double below

• Non-Runner Money-Back on the 2024 Grand National

• Don't forget to claim your completely free racing multi on day 1 of Aintree Grand National Festival

• Rachael Blackmore's Serial Winners Fund now on the final straight - Find out how much she has raised so far here!

• Bet safely on Aintree Grand National Festival this year - Read more here.

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Rachael Blackmore Superboost!

Betfair ambassador Rachael Blackmore has a great chance on Bob Olinger in the 15:30 at Aintree today, and if you fancy the horse to run well you can back today's Betfair Superboost for her to finish in the top two at 1/12.00 (was [8/15!]).

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NAP - 14:20 - Back Sir Gino

Sir Gino will look to remedy his absence from last month's Cheltenham festival, as he emerges as the odds-on favourite in this year's Juvenile Hurdle, and for good reason too.

Sir Gino looked a star in the making after his fantastic performance at Cheltenham in January, claiming a 10-length victory over the in-form Burdett Road. Prior to this, his debut triumph came at Kempton which saw Sir Gino passing the post a whopping 14 lengths clear of the competition.

As a result, he was priced similarly to win the Triumph Hurdle and was hailed as one of the festival bankers. That spectacle boasted a considerably stronger field than this Juvenile Hurdle, and Sir Gino should mark three wins from three here.

The ground should be close to ideal for Sir Gino, with both of his victories coming on soft-going ground, in which he was carrying an extra three pounds on both occasions.

There are certainly some good contenders in this contest with the likes of Kargese and Nurburgring, who both showed strength in the Triumph hurdle last month, but recent performances from Sir Gino are certainly burnt into horse-racing lovers' minds and are a constant reminder of his class - he's impossible to ignore in this clash.

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Next Best - 14:55 - Back Shishkin

There are a couple of standout horses across day one of the Aintree festival, most of whom boast short prices in hotly contested affairs, but a horse of Shiskin's class priced at 5/23.50 is certainly worth a look.

Shiskin's racing career is the perfect rollercoaster metaphor - full of drama, punter frustration and moments of pure brilliance. A dominant display in the King George on Boxing Day with the race seemingly at his mercy, before dramatically unseating Nico de Boinville at the penultimate fence. Followed up by a classy performance in the Grade 2 Denman Chase in February, just to remind us of the greatness this horse can produce.

The competition around him have all faced challenging runs at the Cheltenham festival - namely Gerri Colombe, Bravemansgame, Ahoy Senor and Gentlemansgame - whereas Shiskin comes into this clash fresh. Gerri Colombe will understandably be a popular pick, but if the Henderson yard has truly turned that corner as they say they have, this seems a huge price for such a naturally talented racer.

It is also very evident that Shiskin thrives in these smaller race fields, with all of his last 10 wins coming in fields with six or fewer runners. In these affairs he gets the space he needs to do his thing - unlike the Ryanair or Supreme at Cheltenham. This will be the perfect setting for Shiskin to show his class.

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Each-Way - 16:40 - Back Homme Public

Homme Public has proved himself a strong chaser during the 2023/24 season, picking up three wins from four runs since his switch to chasing last year.

With the likes of Saint Roi and Unexpected Party leading the markets for the Red Rum Handicap Chase following their Cheltenham performances, Homme Public and his very reasonable 7 lbs handicap seems to have crept under the radar.

Homme Public's last two winning runs came over the 2-mile distance, but he has proved he can shine over 1m7f in the handicap chase at Wetherby back in October, weighing at 12-0 - he'll be running with 11-0 on Thursday.

For those that like to consider historic trends in their selections, horses that missed Cheltenham have won seven of the last eight runnings of this contest and this race tends to be won by horses aged seven or under, carrying 11-1 or less - of which Homme Public ticks both boxes.

There are certainly good contenders around him on Thursday but considering his recent performances and a generous handicap, a big price of 12/113.00 looks tasty for an each-way punt.

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Racing/Football Double - Back Sir Gino to win the 14:20 and BTTS & Over 2.5 goals in AC Milan v Roma

Sir Gino

Sir Gino looks to be the banker selection on the first day of the Aintree festival and it will likely take a heroic effort from the field to beat him.

Nicky Henderson's youngster was poised as the heavy favourite for the Triumph Hurdle last month, following his two empathic victories by 14 and 10 lengths, but was one of the many Henderson horses that was forced to withdraw. Those issues have since been tended to, which just leaves Sir Gino to show his class.

Good ground conditions, a thorough rest and two world-class runs under his belt already, Sir Gino is the one to beat in this Juvenile Hurdle.

AC Milan v Roma - BTTS and Over 2.5 goals

A feisty contest between two Italian giants, both in fine goalscoring form, this should be an exciting contest in the Europa League quarter-finals.

AC Milan's last three outings in the Europa League have seen 4 or more goals with both teams managing to get on the scoresheet. This goalscoring prowess has spilled into their domestic fixtures, with each of their last three games witnessing 3+ goals, with Milan netting at least twice on all occasions.

However, the Rossoneri should struggle to contain a fiery Roma side on Thursday. Roma have scored in 13 of the 15 games under De Rossi's guidance, showing great emphasis on attacking football. They will certainly be able to make this a competitive first leg.

Both of these selections landed in the two meetings between these sides in Serie A this season and there could certainly be fireworks once more.

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For wall-to-wall football betting predictions catering for all types of bettors, you should visit my website, Andy's Bet Club. Including my brand new 'Racing Hit Rates' tool that shows bettors the percentage of times a horse has won or placed, with filters available for distances and ground conditions. Access that and a whole lot more ahead of Euro 2024 and beyond.

You can join my growing community over on Twitter or X.

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Now read Tony Calvin's tips on Day 1 of the Aintree Festival!

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Racing... Only Bettor - Aintree Day 1 Tips - Listen here!