It's the third and final day of the 2024 Grand National meeting and over 75,000 horse racing fans are expected to walk through the gates of Aintree Racecourse on Saturday 13th April.
The antepost horse racing odds have been open for the Grand National for many months now and office sweepstakes across the country have taken place. But who will win on Day 3 at Aintree this year?
We've got you covered for Aintree Day 3 tips but feel free to click here you are looking specifically for a Grand National pinstickers guide. Our horse racing writer has worked his way through all seven races on the card - including the feature race of the entire week!
| Time | Race |
|---|---|
| 1.20pm | William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) |
| 1.55pm | Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) |
| 2.30pm | William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 3) |
| 3.05pm | JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) |
| 4.00pm | Randox Grand National Steeple Chase (Grade 3) |
| 5.00pm | Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 1) |
| 5.35pm | Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) |
All eyes will be on Aintree for the big race, with millions expected to tune in across the country. So without further ado, it's time for Steve Mullington (@mulldog) to get stuck into the action with his Day 3 tips ahead of the 2024 Aintree Grand National meeting.
Aintree Day 3 Selections
1.20pm - William Hill Handicap Hurdle (3m½f)
Punters will be taking a trip to the payout counter rather than one to Trumpton if Cuthbert Dibble (NAP) can land the opening race on Grand National day.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ six-year-old hasn’t put a hoof wrong this season, and after victories at Chepstow and Haydock on heavy going, Cuthbert Dibble ran a screamer in the Pertemps Network Final at the Cheltenham Festival.
Conditions are once again ideal for this Kayf Tara-gelding and he is well worth a punt at around 10/1 in our horse racing betting.
Others with live chances include Monmiral who actually won the Pertemps and White Rhino should he make the cut.
1.55pm - Mersey Novices' Hurdle (2m4f)
Caldwell Potter (NAP) for Paul Nicholls is looking like the horse they all need to beat in this contest as he bids for the three-timer after wins at Navan and Leopardstown at the end of last year.
Formerly trained by Gordon Elliott, the six-year-old was snapped up in the New Year at the horse dispersal sale for the Caldwell family horses and this will be his first run for his new yard.
Not here to simply make up the numbers, Personal Ambition for the Ben Pauling yard can step up again from a Grade 2 to a Grade 1.
2.30pm – William Hill Handicap Chase (3m1f)
Anthony Honeyball’s Kilbeg King (NAP) may not have won since April when he landed a valuable Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown, but since then he has been running with credit in very esteemed company over fences and is well overdue a change of luck.
Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride and at odds of around 12/1, the 140-rated chaser must have a solid chance off 10st 10lbs.
Ben Pauling’s Twig enters calculations too. Second in the Ultima Chase the nine-year-old is bound to be on the premises from the get go and he may well just stay out there in front all the way.
3.05pm – Liverpool Hurdle (3m1f)
My eyes totally lit up when I saw Olly Murphy’s Strong Leader (NAP) declared for this race as he has his ideal conditions and the trip is just perfect for him.
Last year as a six-year-old he was flying home late in the Top Novices’ Hurdle here at Aintree and over this longer trip he has a live chance of scooping the pot.
Dashel Drasher cannot be written off either. He’s won here before and if there’s a horse you want on your side to grind away in a testing finish then its Jeremy Scott’s veteran.
4.00pm – 2024 Aintree Grand National
However much I love Corach Rambler, I just do not believe that he will go back-to-back but I do think he’ll figure in the podium places. Odds of 5/1 in the Grand National betting look extremely short and I’m looking for some much better value.
I Am Maximus (NAP) won the Bobbyjo Chase and we all know that the winners of that contest sometimes do the double here. He’s also an Irish Grand National winner so all the omens are good.
Vanillier was the runner-up to Corach Rambler in last year’s race and Gavin Cromwell has carefully plotted him to go one better on Saturday. He looks sure to be involved.
Out an outside price, don’t be shy at backing the twelve-year-old Roi Mage at each-way odds. He’s owned by the same chaps who had Aurora’s Encore and they would love to win this race again.
He’s been campaigned nicely this season and the ground will be just perfect for him.
5.00pm – Maghull Novices’ Chase (2m)
By far the best horse she’s ever trained, Sarah Humphrey could well send out an Aintree winner this weekend with Nickel Back (NAP).
Winner of the Scilly Isles at Sandown, don’t be surprised if they don’t see this eight-year-old for dust.
Dangers include Matata and Master Chewy.
5.35pm – Weatherbys NH Flat Race (2m)
My friends own I’m A Lumberjack (NAP) and they’re alright! Understandably they’re very excited and I do believe their runner has a great chance of winning.
Trained by Alan King, the five-year-old got a little bit out of his ground at Newbury last time but was finishing at a rate of knots in the closing stages. Navajo Indy has stamped the form this week so his prospects look superb.
Others to keep an eye on are No Questions Asked and Step Out.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
