Grand National Tips

Grand National Festival Tips: Rhys Williams is taking a two-pronged attack in the Topham

Aintree Racecourse
Our racing expert has two selections on Friday

Our resident tipster has analysed the second day of the Grand National Festival and has two selections in the Topham...


Timeform Superboost

The ultra-consistent Jonbon (never been out of the first two in his career) is the red hot favourite to win the Melling Chase in the 15:30 at Aintree today, and he also has a 100% winning record at the Merseyside venue, winning all three times he's raced at Aintree. 

The kind people in the Betfair Trading tower have super-boosted Jonbon's win price from 2/51.40 to 1/12.00! To take advantage, just click on the odds in the below bet banner to go directly to the pre-loaded betslip.

Please Note: Today's superboost has been provided by the Betfair Sportsbook and not by any of our writers or tipster.


Watch Racing... Only Bettor Day 2 Aintree Tips!


Topham Handicap Chase, Aintree - 16:05 - Back James Du Berlais

James Du Berlais ran an excellent race when finishing second in this last year and I think he has a strong chance to go one place better off just a 1lb higher mark.

He was below par on his first two starts of this season but I thought he showed far more encouragement when finishing fifth at Leopardstown last time. He travelled with plenty of enthusiasm, which took him to the front early on, and he was still going well a couple of lengths clear turning into the home straight before not finding much under pressure and fading to finish fifth.

That showed that the spark is back and it looks like the season may have been revolving around having another attempt at this race. I think he should be fine on the drying ground given that he handled it fine in his younger days in France and I think he should be a clear favourite for the race. Any 6/17.00 or bigger appeals.


Topham Handicap Chase, Aintree - 16:05 - Back Shantreusse

The ground may be a slight concern for Shantreusse but if he handles it I think he could run well having been unlucky in this race last year.

He was travelling well in a prominent position when he clipped the top, slithered on landing and nearly came to a standstill. That dropped him a long way back through the field and he couldn't get back into a challenging position from that point while staying on to finish seventh.

When completing the course, he's run well this season with him shaping far better than the margin beaten suggests at Leopardstown two starts ago. I think this sort of test could be ideal for him and as long as the ground is ok, I think he's capable of running well. Any 12/113.00 or bigger appeals.


Now read Katie Midwinter's Friday tips here


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Grand National Results

Ebc Group Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (1)
13:45, Thursday 3 April 2025

  1. 1 5 Impaire Et Passe (Fr) 9/4
  2. 2 4 Gidleigh Park 7/1
  3. 3 6 Jango Baie (Fr) 6/4
  4. 4 1 Boombawn (Ire) 22/1
  5. 5 8 Rubaud (Fr) 16/1
Full result

Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) (1)
14:20, Thursday 3 April 2025

  1. 1 13 Murcia (Fr) 11/4
  2. 2 6 Live Conti (Fr) 16/1
  3. 3 9 Puturhandstogether (Ire) 6/4
  4. 4 5 Give It To Me Oj 28/1
  5. 5 11 Wendrock (Fr) 10/1
Full result

Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase (Grade 1) (1)
14:55, Thursday 3 April 2025

  1. 1 4 Gaelic Warrior (Ger) 11/4
  2. 2 5 Grey Dawning (Ire) 9/4
  3. 3 7 Stage Star (Ire) 11/1
  4. 4 8 The Real Whacker (Ire) 12/1
  5. 5 1 Ahoy Senor (Ire) 6/1
Full result

William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) (1)
15:30, Thursday 3 April 2025

  1. 1 5 Lossiemouth (Fr) 5/4
  2. 2 7 Wodhooh (Fr) 17/2
  3. 3 6 Take No Chances (Ire) 28/1
  4. 4 4 Break My Soul (Ire) 125/1
  5. 5 3 Tellherthename (Ire) 80/1
Full result

Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase (2)
16:05, Thursday 3 April 2025

  1. 1 14 Gracchus De Balme (Fr) 22/1
  2. 2 15 Jet Plane (Ire) 11/1
  3. 3 17 Lifetime Ambition (Ire) 5/1
  4. 4 20 My Drogo 5/1
  5. 5 1 A Jet Of Our Own (Ire) 125/1
Full result

Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (1)
16:40, Thursday 3 April 2025

  1. 1 9 Sans Bruit (Fr) 5/1
  2. 2 6 Calico (Ger) 10/1
  3. 3 13 Inedit Star (Fr) 18/1
  4. 4 4 Gunsight Ridge 28/1
  5. 5 8 Dr T J Eckleburg (Ire) 28/1
Full result

Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat (Grade 2) (1)
17:15, Thursday 3 April 2025

  1. 1 16 Seo Linn (Ire) 15/8
  2. 2 11 La Conquiere (Fr) 22/1
  3. 3 10 Kingston Queen (Ire) 14/1
  4. 4 14 Queen Kate 50/1
  5. 5 18 St Jessica (Ire) 80/1
Full result
 

Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (1)
13:45, Friday 4 April 2025

  1. 1 1 Caldwell Potter (Fr) 11/4
  2. 2 4 Jordans (Fr) 11/1
  3. 3 7 The Changing Man (Ire) 11/1
Full result

William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (1)
14:20, Friday 4 April 2025

  1. 1 22 Wellington Arch 14/1
  2. 2 9 Kopeck De Mee (Fr) 8/1
  3. 3 7 Favour And Fortune (Ire) 12/1
  4. 4 2 Impose Toi (Fr) 7/1
  5. 5 15 Ike Sport (Fr) 28/1
Full result

Trustatrader Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (1)
14:55, Friday 4 April 2025

  1. 1 8 Salvator Mundi (Fr) 7/2
  2. 2 5 Romeo Coolio 2/1
  3. 3 4 Karbau (Fr) 33/1
  4. 4 2 Jet To Vegas (Ire) 14/1
  5. 5 6 Royal Infantry (Ire) 28/1
Full result

My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) (1)
15:30, Friday 4 April 2025

  1. 1 2 Jonbon (Fr) 4/6
  2. 2 4 Protektorat (Fr) 7/1
  3. 3 3 Matata (Ire) 16/1
Full result

Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer Uk Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (1)
16:05, Friday 4 April 2025

  1. 1 2 Gentleman De Mee (Fr) 14/1
  2. 2 27 Lisnamult Lad (Ire) 22/1
  3. 3 22 The Goffer (Ire) 14/1
  4. 4 16 Amirite (Ire) 18/1
  5. 5 5 James Du Berlais (Fr) 10/1
Full result

Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (1)
16:40, Friday 4 April 2025

  1. 1 7 Julius Des Pictons (Fr) 14/1
  2. 2 11 Minella Rescue (Ire) 50/1
  3. 3 4 Crest Of Fortune 25/1
  4. 4 12 Mister Meggit (Ire) 7/2
  5. 5 15 Familiar Dreams 6/1
Full result

Hallgarten And Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys' And Amateur Riders') (2)
17:15, Friday 4 April 2025

  1. 1 13 She's A Saint (Ire) 25/1
  2. 2 8 Slugger 12/1
  3. 3 4 Celtic Dino (Fr) 9/4
  4. 4 16 Jack Hyde (Ire) 11/1
  5. 5 3 Alnilam (Fr) 15/2
Full result
 

William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (1)
13:20, Saturday 5 April 2025

  1. 1 20 Deep Cave (Ire) 28/1
  2. 2 12 Timmy Tuesday (Ire) 11/2
  3. 3 17 Double Powerful (Ire) 7/1
  4. 4 14 Park Of Kings (Ire) 12/1
  5. 5 19 Catch Him Derry (Ire) 5/1
Full result

Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (1)
13:55, Saturday 5 April 2025

  1. 1 5 Honesty Policy (Ire) 5/1
  2. 2 11 Regent's Stroll (Ire) 9/1
  3. 3 3 Funiculi Funicula (Fr) 12/1
  4. 4 8 Koktail Divin (Fr) 17/2
  5. 5 6 Horaces Pearl (Fr) 4/1
Full result

William Hill Handicap Chase (Freebooter) (Premier Handicap) (1)
14:30, Saturday 5 April 2025

  1. 1 9 Cruz Control (Fr) 10/1
  2. 2 2 Imperial Saint (Fr) 11/4
  3. 3 15 Erne River (Ire) 25/1
  4. 4 11 Weveallbeencaught (Ire) 17/2
  5. 5 8 Happygolucky (Ire) 4/1
Full result

Ivy Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (1)
15:05, Saturday 5 April 2025

  1. 1 5 Hiddenvalley Lake (Ire) 12/1
  2. 2 10 Strong Leader 5/1
  3. 3 13 Jetara (Ire) 15/2
  4. 4 12 The Wallpark (Ire) 6/1
  5. 5 7 Kitzbuhel (Fr) 10/3
Full result

Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (1)
16:00, Saturday 5 April 2025

  1. 0 21 Idas Boy (Ire) 100/1
  2. 1 3 Nick Rockett (Ire) 33/1
  3. 2 1 I Am Maximus (Fr) 7/1
  4. 3 4 Grangeclare West (Ire) 33/1
  5. 4 18 Iroko (Fr) 13/2
Full result

Rosconn Group Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (1)
17:00, Saturday 5 April 2025

  1. 1 2 Kalif Du Berlais (Fr) 15/8
  2. 2 1 Brookie (Ire) 25/1
  3. 3 3 L'eau Du Sud (Fr) 5/4
  4. 4 5 Touch Me Not (Ire) 9/2
  5. 5 4 Special Cadeau 12/1
Full result

Weatherbys Nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat (Grade 2) (1)
17:35, Saturday 5 April 2025

  1. 1 9 Green Splendour 10/3
  2. 2 4 Destination Dubai (Ire) 10/1
  3. 3 11 Koktail Brut (Fr) 11/2
  4. 4 17 Swingin Safari (Ire) 33/1
  5. 5 16 Storming George (Ire) 22/1
Full result