Grand National Festival Analysis: Rachael Blackmore's expert insight for day one

Aintree Day 1 Superboost

Selma De Vary ran an excellent race in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, finishing a narrow fourth after being short of room up the home straight. She looks sure to improve on that in today's Boodles 4yo Juvenile Hurdle at 13:45, which is why she's 9/43.25 favourite to win the race.

She's also 2/51.40 to finish in the top three today but you can back her at the super-boosted price of 1/12.00 to finish in the placings, and with only 10 runners in the race, five of which are priced at 40/141.00 or higher, that looks an excellent price.

To take advantage of today's Superboost just click on the odds below to go directly to the Horse Racing section on the Betfair Sportsbook where you will see the Selma De Vary Superboost towards the top of the page.

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Selma fancied to reverse Triumph Hurdle form

The Randox Grand National is, of course, the highlight of the Aintree Grand National meeting, but it's a great meeting from start to finish.  It's three days of top-class National Hunt racing, four Grade 1 races on Thursday, four more on Friday and three more on Saturday, and then it all reaches a crescendo later on Saturday with the most famous horse race in the world!

It all starts off with the juvenile hurdlers in the Boodles Anniversary Hurdle on Thursday.  I thought that Selma De Vary ran very well in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, and this track could suit her.

She did well to finish fourth in the Triumph Hurdle.  She did have Maestro Conti and Minella Study in front of her that day, but she has less than two lengths to find with the two of them.  A couple of things went wrong for her through the race, she should benefit from that experience, and Aintree could suit her better than Cheltenham.  

Koktail will enjoy the step back in trip

Koktail Divin has plenty to find on ratings with Lulamba in the Manifesto Chase, but the drop back down in trip here to two and a half miles should suit him.  He travelled very well in the Brown Advisory Chase at Cheltenham, but he didn't fully stay up the hill.

The drop back in trip here and the move to a flat track should suit him.  His jumping is very good, and I think that he could put it up to Lulamba, even though he is rated 12lb inferior.

Spillane's Tower is fresh and could be the one to beat

Jango Baie is favourite for the Aintree Bowl after a great run to finish second to Gaelic Warrior in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but Spillane's Tower didn't run at Cheltenham, and he could go into the race a fresher horse.

Spillane's Tower is a classy horse himself, he won two Grade 1 chases as a novice and he ran Fact To File to a half a length in the John Durkan Chase on his debut last season, when he had Galopin Des Champs behind him in third.  He was impressive in winning the Cotswold Chase too at Cheltenham in January, he seemed to win with plenty in hand.  He hasn't run since then, so he goes to Aintree fresh, and he could be the one they all have to beat.

Impaire Et Passe would come into it too at his best.  He was pulled up in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last time, so he is obviously going to have to leave that run behind him, but he is two for two at Aintree, and he would be a danger to all at his best.

Brighterdaysahead can confirm Champion Hurdle placings

The Aintree Hurdle should be a brilliant race, with the second and third from the Champion Hurdle taking each other on again.  There was only a half a length between Brighterdaysahead and The New Lion at Cheltenham, and there may not be much between them again here.

The step up to two and a half miles should suit The New Lion.  He won the Challow Hurdle and the Turners Hurdle last season as a novice over this type of trip, and he was staying on up the hill at the end of the Champion Hurdle.

But the step up to two and a half miles should also suit Brighterdaysahead.  She is a top-class mare, and she won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle over this course and distance on her only run at Aintree at the Grand National meeting two years ago.  She could confirm Cheltenham placings with The New Lion.

Strong hand for Henry in Red Rum

Henry de Bromhead runs three in the Red Rum Handicap Chase, a race that he has won twice in the last six years, and all three could run well.

Jasko Des Dames put up a good performance last time in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham.  He travelled well into his race and he hit the front at the second last fence before he was headed at the last.  The move to Aintree could suit him, and he should appreciate the drying ground.

Wonleg kept on to finish third in a good handicap chase at Leopardstown at Christmas.  That was his first run since August, and he hasn't run since then, but he goes well fresh and Paddy O'Brien, who rode him to win a handicap chase at Wexford in July, claims 5lb off his back.  

Inthepocket is in there as well.  He had made up ground from the rear and he wasn't that far behind the leaders when he fell at the second last fence in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham.  He is a horse who could have another big day or two in him, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him run well.

Now read our Ultimate Guide to Day 1 of the Grand National Festival