James Maxwell
Founder & Editor · Last reviewed 2026-04-09
Aintree Festival 2026: Thursday Preview
The Aintree Grand National Festival opens on Thursday 9 April with a seven-race card that sets the tone for the entire three-day meeting. Day one sits in the shadow of Saturday's Grand National, but the racing quality stands on its own — three Grade 1 contests headline the afternoon.
The Bowl Chase (3m 1f) is the centrepiece, attracting established staying chasers who fall just short of the Grand National stamina test. The Aintree Hurdle (2m 4f) brings Champion Hurdle contenders back for a second crack at a major prize. And the Manifesto Novices' Chase gives first-season chasers their biggest test so far.
For punters, Thursday offers the best value of the festival. The betting public is focused on Saturday's National, and bookmaker attention is split — which means prices are softer across Thursday's card than they would be at Cheltenham or on Saturday.
First race goes off at 1:45pm. ITV Racing covers the full card live. For the complete three-day race schedule, see our timings guide.
Thursday's Feature Races
The Bowl Chase (Grade 1, 3m 1f, 2:50pm)
The Bowl is Aintree's premier non-National chase. Run over 3 miles and 1 furlong on the Mildmay Course (not the Grand National course), it rewards pace and jumping quality rather than pure stamina.
Recent winners include Protektorat (2023) and Ahoy Senor (2024). The race regularly attracts Cheltenham Gold Cup runners looking for a consolation prize, alongside specialists who prefer Aintree's flat, galloping track.
Key runners to watch:
- Fact To File — Willie Mullins' emerging staying chaser. Won the Mildmay Novices' Chase here last year and has progressed significantly. If he turns up, he is the one to beat.
- Gerri Colombe — Gordon Elliott's Gold Cup runner who stays well but needs good ground. Consistent at the top level.
- L'Homme Presse — Venetia Williams' staying chaser who has twice placed at Grade 1 level this season. Aintree's flat track suits his galloping style.
The Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m 4f, 3:25pm)
A championship hurdle over a trip that separates the two-mile specialists from the genuine middle-distance hurdlers. The extra half-mile compared to the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham demands a different type of horse — one with tactical speed and the stamina to sustain it.
Key runners to watch:
- Lossiemouth — Willie Mullins' brilliant mare who won the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. If she runs here rather than Punchestown, she will be a short-priced favourite. The question is whether connections run her again so soon.
- State Man — Mullins' former Champion Hurdler. Finished third at Cheltenham this year, but this trip may suit him better than two miles.
- Doyen Quest — Gavin Cromwell's improver who won the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. Drops back in trip but the step up in class is the test.
Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1, 2m 4f, 1:45pm)
The opening race of the festival and a Grade 1 for first-season chasers. Named after the five-time Grand National winner, it traditionally flags horses who will be prominent in future Gold Cups and King George chases.
Key runners to watch:
- Ballyburn — Willie Mullins' brilliant novice who won the Turners at Cheltenham. Exceptional jumper with tactical speed. Short-priced favourite if he lines up.
- Diplomate Dorange — Nicky Henderson's Arkle second. The Aintree fences — bigger but more forgiving than Cheltenham's — could suit his bold jumping style.
Thursday Tips & Selections
Manifesto Novices' Chase (1:45pm) — Ballyburn
If Ballyburn runs, he wins. Willie Mullins' novice was faultless at the Cheltenham Festival and the switch to Aintree's flatter, more galloping track plays to his strengths. The only risk is if connections bypass this in favour of Punchestown.
If Ballyburn is a non-runner: Diplomate Dorange at around 4/1 becomes the selection. He jumped brilliantly in the Arkle despite finishing second and the bigger Aintree fences should suit him.
The Bowl Chase (2:50pm) — L'Homme Presse (Each-Way, 8/1)
This is the value play of the day. L'Homme Presse has been consistent at Grade 1 level all season without winning — he ran third in the King George and second in the Cotswold Chase. Venetia Williams' horses travel well on flat tracks, and at 8/1 each-way he represents the best value on Thursday's card.
If you want the favourite: Fact To File is a worthy favourite around 5/4 if he runs. But favourites are there to be shot at, and L'Homme Presse has the ability to turn the form around on a different track.
The Aintree Hurdle (3:25pm) — State Man (Each-Way, 5/1)
State Man's Champion Hurdle run was below his best, but the extra four furlongs here could be exactly what he needs. He won the Morgiana Hurdle over 2m at Punchestown in November — proving he is still a Grade 1 horse — and the slight step up in trip lets him be ridden more patiently.
At 5/1 he is bigger than he should be. The market is all about Lossiemouth, and if she runs she will take most of the money, leaving value elsewhere.
Responsible betting reminder: The Aintree Festival is three days of racing, not one afternoon. Stick to sensible stakes, use each-way bets in competitive fields, and never bet more than you can afford to lose. For our full Grand National tips, see our Saturday guide.
Going & Conditions
Ground
The going at Aintree is expected to be Good to Soft for Thursday's card. There has been 8mm of rain in the Liverpool area over the past 48 hours, and the forecast is for dry conditions through Thursday and Friday with a chance of light showers on Saturday morning.
The clerk of the course has watered selectively to maintain a consistent surface across both the Mildmay Course (used Thursday and Friday) and the Grand National Course (Saturday).
For Grand National punters, the Thursday going gives a strong indication of Saturday conditions. Good to Soft suits the majority of the National field and is historically the most common going description for the race.
Wind
A light westerly wind is forecast, which runs across the course from left to right. This has minimal effect on the Mildmay Course but becomes more significant on the Grand National course, where it can affect horses jumping the Canal Turn.
Rail Movements
Standard rail positions for the opening day. The course drains well and Aintree has invested heavily in drainage infrastructure since the 2001 foot-and-mouth cancellation. Expect consistent ground throughout the afternoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does racing start at Aintree on Thursday?
The first race on Thursday 9 April is the Manifesto Novices' Chase at 1:45pm. The last race is at 5:15pm. For the complete schedule across all three days, see our race timings guide.
Is Thursday racing shown on TV?
Yes. ITV Racing broadcasts the full Thursday card live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 1:00pm. You can also watch on ITVX (free, registration required) and listen on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Can I buy Thursday-only tickets?
Yes. Day tickets for Thursday at Aintree start from around £30 for the Tattersalls enclosure. The Aintree Festival is the busiest on Thursday and Saturday, with Friday (Ladies Day) typically selling out first. Book through the Aintree website.
What should I wear to Aintree on Thursday?
Thursday has no formal dress code in most enclosures. Smart casual is the standard — collared shirts, chinos, and clean shoes for men; smart dresses or tailored trousers for women. The County Stand has a stricter code requiring jackets and ties for men.
Is Thursday a good day for betting value?
Historically, yes. Thursday attracts less public attention than Saturday's National and Friday's Ladies Day, meaning bookmaker prices are often more generous. The fields tend to be smaller in Grade 1 races, making form analysis more reliable.
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