The Grand National Festival gets underway from Aintree on Thursday (7th April) afternoon. We see some top-notch races, including the Grade One Aintree Hurdle and Bowl Chase. If you want to follow Kevin Blake’s selections for the opening day of racing action, well here you are.
Here is what ITV Racing and Betfair ambassador – Kevin Blake – is showcasing as his best horse racing bets on Day 1 at Aintree.
Fresh off the back of tipping the Scottish Grand National winner, Blake has put up a tantalising 24/1 double for the opening day at Aintree today for punters to get stuck into.
Kevin Blake Tips – Thursday 7th April 2022
Kevin Blake’s Grand National Festival Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
3.30 Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) – ZANAHIYR @ 15/8 with 888Sport
The rematch between Epatante and Zanahiyr is the headline attraction after they both placed behind Honeysuckle at Cheltenham last month.
Blake thinks the longer trip of two-and-a-half-miles will play into Zanahiyr‘s hands, as he has been shaping as though the longer trip will suit him all season long.
With not a lot between Zanahiyr and Epatante, Kevin Blake believes the Gordon Elliott 5-year-old will come out on top with Jack Kennedy on board as well.
4.40 Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – KING D’ARGENT @ 15/2 with 888Sport
Blake likes the look of Dan Skelton’s horse in this race in the form of King D’Argent. He improved a massive 32lbs in just seven starts over fences last season, and Blake believes he has been shaped with plenty of promise despite not actually winning yet this season.
He bounced back to form in a handicap chase at Doncaster last time out and may have won if he was given a more positive ride. The Irish horse racing tipster thinks King D’Argent could run a very big race this afternoon.
Note: Odds are subject to change
Kevin Blake Aintree Day 1 Betslip
Back Kevin Blake’s Aintree Grand National Tips With an 888Sport £20 FREE BET: Join 888Sport today – Bet £5 and Get a £20 Free Bet – you can then back Kevin Blake’s Aintree horse racing tips on each day of the Grand National Festival with your free bet!
Aintree Day 1 Best Bets From Leading Tipsters
Kevin Blake Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Tom Segal (Pricewise) Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Paul Kealy (Racing Post) Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Templegate (The Sun) Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Newsboy (The Mirror) Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Tony Calvin (Betfair) Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
AP McCoy Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Ruby Walsh Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Matt Chapman Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Hugh Taylor Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Racing Blogger (Stephen Power) Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Chris Hughes Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Andrew Mount’s Aintree Day 1 Horse Racing Tips
Grand National Trends To Help You Find The Winner
With over 180 years of history, the Grand National is a race with a lot of back stories. Therefore, it’s also a contest that many key Grand National trends have built up – meaning we can look back at recent results and find the best profiles of past Grand National winners.
For example – the last horse aged 7 to win the Grand National was in 1940, while the last six Grand National winners were aged either eight or nine years old.
We have a bundle of 2022 Grand National trends and stats for you here – use these to whittle down the Grand National runners and you’ll be left with a handful of horses that tick the best trends. Then all you’ll need is a bit of luck!
2022 Grand National Times, Dates, Race Names and Full Festival Schedule
Grand National Festival – Opening Day (Thursday 7th April 2022)
- 1.45pm The SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 2m 4f
- 2.20pm The Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 2m 1f (Live on ITV)
- 2.55pm The Betway Bowl Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 3m 1f (Live on ITV)
- 3.30pm The Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f (Live on ITV)
- 4.05pm The Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase 2m 5f (Live on ITV)
- 4.40pm The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 3 2m (Live on ITV)
- 5.15pm The Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat (Grade 2) 2m 1f
Grand National Festival – Ladies Day (Friday 8th April 2022)
- 1:45pm The Alder Hey & Aintree Handicap Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 3 2m 4f
- 2.20pm The Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m ½f (Live on ITV)
- 2.50pm The Betway Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f (Live on ITV)
- 3.25pm The Marsh Steeple Chase (Registered as the Melling) (Grade 1) 2m 4f (Live on ITV)
- 4.05pm The Randox Topham Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 2m 5f (Live on ITV)
- 4.40pm The Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 3m ½f (Live on ITV)
- 5.15pm The Park Palace Ponies Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 2m 1f
Grand National Festival – Grand National Day (Saturday 9th April 2022)
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- 1:45pm The EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 3 3m ½f
- 2.25pm The Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f (Live on ITV)
- 3.00pm The Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1) Grade 1 2m (Live on ITV)
- 3.35pm The Liverpool Hurdle (Class 1) Grade 1 3m ½f (Live on ITV)
- 4.15pm The Betway Handicap Steeple Chase (Listed) 3m 1f (Live on ITV)
- 5:15pm The Randox GRAND NATIONAL Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 4m 2½f (Live on ITV)
- 6.20pm The Weatherbys hhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 1f
Interested in the Grand National? Follow our guides:
- Best Grand National betting sites
- Grand National betting offers
- How To Watch The 2022 Grand National
- 2022 Grand National Runners and Riders
- Best 2022 Grand National Offers
- How To Bet On The 2022 Grand National
- What Time Is The 2022 Grand National
- 2022 Grand National Trends and Stats
- Grand National – Each-way betting explained
- Grand National – Extra Place Best bookies
- Best 2022 Grand National Offers for Existing Customers
- Grand National Results (Past and Present)
- Aintree Festival Trends – DAY ONE
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