The opening day of the Grand National Festival produced Aintree results that really tested Cheltenham and other form lines. See whether or not the horses you backed got a win or into the place, plus some expert race analysis of all seven contests on Merseyside.
This card contained four Grade 1 races for punters to bet on through horse racing betting sites including the Aintree Bowl over fences and the Aintree Hurdle. The Grand National fences were also in use for the first time since early December. Amateur jockeys partnered their mounts in the Foxhunters. Get the lowdown on all events below.
Full Aintree Results from Day 1 of the Grand National Festival 2024
Manifesto Novices’ Chase Result (1:45)
Position | Silks | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Distance | SP |
1st | Il Etait Temps | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 9 lengths | 3/1 | |
2nd | Ginny’s Destiny | Harry Cobden | Paul Nicholls | head | 4/1 | |
3rd | Grey Dawning | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton | 9 lengths | 11/10F |
Irish Arkle winner Il Etait Temps made a successful step up in trip, even if his jumping still left a lot to be desired, giving Willie Mullins success in the first Grade 1 of the meeting. He shot nine lengths clear of long-time rivals Ginny’s Destiny and Grey Dawning, who finished the other way around in Aintree results from their Cheltenham clash.
Harry Skelton perhaps didn’t give the favourite the best ride tactically when trapped on the inside. That forced him to switch Grey Dawning and lose ground in the home straight, but the bird had flown. Just a head separated Ginny’s Destiny and him crossing the line with them clear of Colonel Harry in fourth.
Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle Result (2:20)
Position | Silks | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Distance | SP |
1st | Sir Gino | Nico de Boinville | Nicky Henderson | 3¼ lengths | 11/10F | |
2nd | Kargese | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 14 lengths | 7/4 | |
3rd | Kalif Du Berlais | Harry Cobden | Paul Nicholls | head | 9/2 |
After missing Cheltenham when a virus swept through Seven Barrows, Sir Gino confirmed himself as the top juvenile hurdler on Merseyside. Sent off a well-backed favourite under Nico de Boinville, he capitalised on a smaller field and keen filly Kargese pulling too hard throughout.
Although a messy race, this was a real tonic for the Nicky Henderson yard. Sir Gino’s trainer confirmed he will stay hurdling next season after landing the Anniversary by three lengths. The front two were well clear in thee Aintree results of the previously unbeaten Kalif Du Berlais in third.
William Hill Aintree Bowl Chase Result (2:55)
Position | Silks | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Distance | SP |
1st | Gerri Colombe | Jack Kennedy | Gordon Elliott | ½ a length | 9/4F | |
2nd | Ahoy Senor | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell | 2¼ lengths | 17/2 | |
3rd | Corbetts Cross | Mark Walsh | Emmet Mullins | 6 lengths | 100/30 |
Cheltenham Gold Cup second Gerri Colombe went one better in the Aintree Bowl, just like he did during his novice campaign from Prestbury Park to Aintree. Although out of his comfort zone, Gordon Elliott’s Irish raider toughed it out when switched to the middle of the track and mounting his challenge. Halfway down the home straight, most Aintree results won’t remember that six horses were all in a heap.
Gerri Colombe held Scottish runner Ahoy Senor by half-a-length with the novice Corbetts Cross back in third. Emmet Mullins’ runner was home in front of last year’s winner Shishkin, who may go to Punchestown. Bravemansgame made the running in first-time cheekpieces, but faded tamely.
William Hill Aintree Hurdle Result (3:30)
Position | Silks | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Distance | SP |
1st | Impaire Et Passe | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | nose | EvsF | |
2nd | Bob Olinger | Rachael Blackmore | Henry De Bromhead | short-head | 9/4 | |
3rd | Langer Dan | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton | 7½ lengths | 18/1 |
A dramatic finish to the Aintree Hurdle saw Impaire Et Passe just finish first past the post in a three-way go with Bob Olinger and Langer Dan. Just a nose and short-head separated the top three. This prompted a stewards enquiry, but Paul Townend and Willie Mullins kept the race and initial Aintree results stood. The front three were clear of Luccia in third, who wasn’t effected by the officials.
Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase Result (4:05)
Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Distance | SP |
1st | Its On The Line | Derek O’Connor | Emmet Mullins | 4¼ lengths | 3/1F |
2nd | Bennys King | Sean O’Connor | Dan Skelton | 1 length | 8/1 |
3rd | Annamix | Patrick Mullins | Willie Mullins | 1¼ lengths | 5/1 |
4th | Time Leader | Huw Edwards | Hannah Roach | 23 lengths | 8/1 |
Cheltenham Hunter Chase second Its On The Line went one spot better in the Foxhunters as yet another favourite on the best betting sites obliged punters for Derek O’Connor, Emmet Mullins and JP McManus. He stayed on best to nab last year’s runner-up Bennys King, whose ageing legs couldn’t stop the younger horse on the long run-in.
Annamix for Patrick and Willie Mullins hit the frame again back in third. Aintree results also show the 2023 fifth Team Leader going one spot better by cracking the top four this time. That quartet pulled well clear of Tea Clipper and the winner’s stable companion Romeo Magico with just a neck between fifth and sixth.
Red Rum Handicap Chase Result (4:40)
Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Distance | SP |
1st | San Bruit | Bryony Frost | Paul Nicholls | 4 lengths | 5/1 |
2nd | Saint Roi | Mark Walsh | Willie Mullins | 7 lengths | 9/2F |
3rd | Path D’Oroux | Keith Donoghue | Gavin Cromwell | ½ a length | 15/2 |
4th | Mayhem Mya | Bryan Carver | Chris Honour | 2¼ lengths | 33/1 |
Paul Nicholls got in on the act and added to his haul in pursuit of the trainers’ championship with French import Sans Bruit scoring under a really positive ride from Bryony Frost. They were home in front of the favourite Saint Roi, who reversed Cheltenham form with Path D’Oroux in third. Aintree results also note Mayhem Mya ran a blinder from 6lb in the handicap when fourth, ahead of Triple Trade.
Nickel Coin Mares’ Bumper Result (5:15)
Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Distance | SP |
1st | Diva Luna | Kielan Woods | Ben Pauling | 3½ lengths | 13/2 |
2nd | Jubilee Alpha | Harry Cobden | Paul Nicholls | ½ a length | 10/1 |
3rd | La Marquise | Gavin Sheehan | Jamie Snowden | 2½ lengths | 40/1 |
4th | Metkayina | Jonathan Burke | Noel Williams | nose | 10/1 |
The concluding mares’ bumper went to Diva Luna as Ben Pauling continued his fine season. Belying bad news about major backers The Megsons, owners who intend to move their horses to other stables for next season, she ran out a ready winner under Kielan Woods. Aintree results show Nicholls’ Jubilee Alpha chasing Diva Luna home with the outsider La Marquise in third.
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