April
The Grand National Meeting
Grand National, Aintree Hurdle, Bowl Chase, Topham Chase
Aintree Tips & Course Profile
Liverpool, England · Left-handed, triangular
Aintree Racecourse is one of the most important venues in British racing. Below: the things every punter should know before backing a runner here, plus our latest published selections at the track.
Course Type
National Hunt
Region
Liverpool, England
Direction
Left-handed, triangular
Aintree Course Profile
Draw Bias
Not relevant for jump racing.
Going & Ground
Aintree’s drainage is generally good: the track can ride better than overnight rain might suggest. Soft to heavy is unusual at the April meeting; the Mildmay course rides slightly softer than the National course.
Trainer & Jockey Notes
The big Irish yards (Mullins, Elliott, de Bromhead) plus Skelton, Henderson and Nicholls dominate. Horses who have run well over the National fences before nearly always retain that edge: the obstacles are unique.
Course Quirks
The Grand National course features uniquely shaped fences (Becher’s, The Chair, Foinavon) that demand exact jumping. Horses with proven National-fence experience are at a substantial advantage. The 4 mile 2 furlong distance is also unique: many National runners had never gone beyond 3m4f.
Big Meetings at Aintree
December
Becher Chase Meeting
Becher Chase, Many Clouds Chase
Recent Aintree tips
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