Aintree 2026 Day 3 Preview: Tips, Selections and Best Bets
“Respect this place / This hallowed ground / A legend here / His rest has found / His feet would fly / Our spirits soar / He earned our love / For evermore.”
Red Rum’s epitaph, under the winning post at Aintree.
Day three. The Grand National card. Here is the full preview of Saturday’s supporting races – plus the big one selections at the bottom.
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12:45 Maghull Novices’ Chase
Favourites took a battering on Friday, but SALVATOR MUNDI looks the one to be on in the opener.
His novice hurdle-winning form at this same meeting last year is the deciding factor. He knows the track, he knows what it takes to win here, and he steps up to chase company looking fully equipped. Mighty Bandit is next best but is respected rather than feared.
1:20 Handicap Hurdle
Supremely West was electric at Cheltenham – winning with any amount in hand – but 9lbs extra for a horse who may have peaked at the festival is a lot to take on.
The feeling here is that Cheltenham was his cup final and he might not be at the same level today. KAKA’S COUSIN has a lovely profile for this and looks the value alternative. Each-way appeal at the likely price.
1:55 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
Taking a chance against the top two in the market here. MONTEMARES looks to have a significant amount of improvement still in him and should arrive fresher than his main rivals.
A race where the market leaders may well cancel each other out, and the value could be lurking just outside the first two in the betting.
2:30 Handicap Chase
Course form around Aintree is everything, and CRUZ CONTROL has been here and done it before – twice. A hat-trick is firmly on the agenda.
Tom Lacey’s yard is in flying form and the feeling is that this horse has been pointed squarely at this race all season. Horses trained for one specific target tend to show up ready to run. He’s the pick.
3:05 Liverpool Hurdle
A trappy one. Impose Toi was flat at Cheltenham and whether he has recovered sufficiently to run his race today is a genuine question – too big an if to take him on trust.
Hiddenvalley Lake is the course specialist and gets maximum respect, but the horse with the most upside here is HONESTY POLICY. Only two runs this season means he arrives fresh, he’s proven around Aintree, and this track suits him considerably better than Cheltenham. Can outrun his price.
4:00 The Grand National
The big one. Full trends analysis and detailed selections covered in the Grand National 2026 Preview.
Selections in preference order:
- Johnnywho (NAP) – meets all 18 key trends, gets in light, knows these fences
- Oscars Brother – most progressive horse in the race, 16/18 on trends
- Monty’s Star – Grade 1 form, handicapper may be giving him a chance off 159
- Grangeclare West – solid each-way contender, third here last year
5:00 Bumper
Willie Mullins has been selective with his runners across the week, which makes it all the more significant when one of his bumper horses shows up. LOOK ME looks a lovely prospect and can end the Aintree festival with a winner for the champion trainer.
Bass Hunter had a tough race at Cheltenham and may not be at the same level here. Mullins’ runner is the call.
Good luck for the big race.
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