STAR RACING PREVIEW: Grand National Day 2025

Grand National day is here, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.

The big race still stops a nation and this looks to be one of the highest quality renewals and there’s plenty of punting action to get stuck into. Before that, please don’t miss out on our Yes/No competition!

GRAND NATIONAL YES/NO: WIN £500 FREE BET

⭐ GRAND NATIONAL BETTING ⭐

---

1:20 – William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)3m½f (3m149y)

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PRICES ⭐

Five non runners here including the Pertemps runner up Jeriko du Reponet, have changed the market totally.

The Martin Pipe form is represented here and second Act of Authority and fifth Park of Kings are both of interest. They saw out their races strongly at the Festival and with Lewis Saunders’ 7lbs claim Act of Authority’s 5lbs rise has been negated, putting him right in the thick of things formwise. It’s interesting to note that a return to quicker ground (won first two handicaps on good to soft and good ground) saw a vastly improved performance compared to a pair of efforts on soft, and as a 3m point winner, there should be every chance he’ll stay 3m here.

Park of Kings should relish this ground and has lots of classy form – and he tackles 3m for the second time on much quicker ground and a flatter track than he faced at Leopardstown when fifth to Maxumm in last season’s Pertemps qualifier. He has to be of serious interest as does Rushmount, who was fourth in the 3m handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival when left with too much to do before bolting up in style last time out. There’s plenty to recommend him on the Leopardstown form even though he’s rocketed up the weights since.

The O’Neill’s won a valuable handicap hurdle here yesterday and they have to be respected with Bill Joyce, who took the Winter’ Novices’ Hurdle in grand style at Sandown before finishing a fair third when outpaced in the Challow before being left for dead at Cheltenham on trials day over roughly 2m4f. He steps upto 3m now for the first time over this track and it would be no surprise if he was to take a major step forward.

---

1:55 – Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) 2m4f

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PRICES ⭐

The withdrawal of Lulamba has changed the market rapidly for this, which is now 5/2 the field.

Horaces Pearl beat his very useful stablemate Tripoli Flyer in the bumper here last year and has since coasted to victory in two starts over hurdles. This will have been the plan for a long time and he should have every chance if adapting to a more lively field here, whilst Henry De Bromhead’s Koktail Divin also needs respect. He made a fine debut over hurdles at Leopardstown over Christmas, was not right when well beaten at Fairyhouse, and looked in good order when breaking his duck with ease at Leopardstown in March. Both those horses need respect and picking between them is hard.

Regent’s Stroll has disappointed so far for Paul Nicholls but a first-time hood is an interesting addition for him and his form (including a wide margin defeat of Good And Clever) now looks better than it did at the time and he can’t be ruled out.

Willie Mullins has carried all before him this week, but Kappa Jy Pyke and Funiculi Funicula were disappointing at Cheltenham and without any obvious excuses. Miami Magic’s form took a hit yesterday. Good And Clever is a fine maiden but one who still looks overmatched, Moon Phases isn’t good enough on paper and Honesty Policy, coming from the yard that has won the last three runnings, is interesting.

---

2:30 – William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB) (Class 1) (5yo+) 3m1f (3m210y) (Mildmay)

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PRICES ⭐

Any number of potential contenders. The vote goes to Docpickedme, who was a close second to Charlie Uberalles in a strong handicap chase at Doncaster before taking the Great Yorkshire Chase, when left in front at the last although still getting the better of the rock solid The Changing Man in the run up to the line. He’s up only 4lbs for that should be bang there if in the same form.

Happygolucky won this in 2021 and has run two incredibly eyecatching races on his return from injury – he should be right there and makes more appeal than Imperial Saint, whilst if back to form, Cruz Control and Peaky Boy would be massive players here, and the market could help with their chances.

---

3:05 – Ivy Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) 3m½f (3m149y)

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PRICES ⭐

The most solid choice looks to be Teauphoo, a clear second in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham when nearly eight lengths clear of The Wallpark, but outsped by Bob Olinger in a race that was more tactical than most stayers’ hurdles. On that form he has a strong chance anyway, although this ground is probably quicker than he’d want and some have observed that Gordon Elliott’s runners haven’t been quite at their best this week (although Woodhooh was a notable exception).

Kitzbuhel is a fascinating contender. 2-2 since arriving from France over 2m, with the latest in the Red Mills Hurdle, he steps up markedly in trip and class and whilst he has to be respected, his backers are taking a leap of faith for all that the Mullins team have swept all before them today.

Strong Leader was an impressive winner of this last year and has to be seriously respected back here – you can forget his runs at Ascot and Cheltenham) whilst Home By The Lee was lucklessly taken out of the Stayers when he was hampered and unseated mid-race. On his two previous starts he’d comprehensively outstayed Bob Olinger, and in that form again, he’ll go well.

The Wallpark will love this long straight – he didn’t get enough pace to run at in the Long Walk and then just didn’t get enough pace at Cheltenham – and has a fair each/way chance if they go fast enough early. He may also still be improving for Gordon Elliott. Gwennie May Boy was a wide-margin winner of the handicap hurdle on this card last year and now arrived having won the Rendlesham in great style. He shouldn’t be underestimated either.

Jetara was a fair fourth in the Mares’ Hurdle when a lack of pace was maybe against her, is 1-1 over 3m, and could be overpriced whilst Hiddenvalley Lake made Crambo pull out all the stops in the Long Walk before a blowout at Gowran last time. Altobelli has been impressive the last twice over 2m3f and will get further but is taking a big step up.

---

4:05 – Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (7yo+) 4m2½f (4m2f74y) (Grand National)

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PRICES ⭐

For a runner-by-runner guide to the big race, please click below!

2025 Grand National: Star Pinstickers’ Guide

A bold five-pronged approach here with Perceval Legallois, Minella Cocooner, Intense Raffles, Nick Rockett and home contender Hyland. All are recommended with seven each/way places, and all are marginally preferred in order of first to last.

---

5:00 – Rosconn Group Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)2m (1m7f176y) (Mildmay)

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PRICES ⭐

There’s been a major market move for Kalif Du Berlais, who didn’t stay over 2m4f in the Scily Isles last time but who had impressed with two handicap wins over 2m when clearly having more in hand than his mark suggested. He’ll need to find a bit more again but is fresh against two horses who were involved in a thrilling Arkle with Only By Night and L’Eau du Sud rematching again (Touch Me Not well behind).

With Special Cadeau and Brookie both looking overmatched, it’s hard to pick between the top three. L’eau du Sud hit the front earlier than Harry Skelton wanted at Cheltenham and first time cheekpieces around here could help his finishing effort. Only By Night would hope for a strong gallop and to try and catch him napping, which is possible around the Mildmay although it would be a surprise if this was as hot as the Arkle.

---

5:35 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4-6yo) 2m1f (2m209y)

⭐ STARSPORTS.BET PRICES ⭐

With the withdrawal of El Cairos there’s no representative from the Champion Bumper and this looks very open to close the card. Green Splendour was only fifth at the Dublin Racing Festival when just behind Koktail Brut, and that form sets a reasonably standard although it’s not one that is unreachable. Perhaps better ground (fourth in valuable sales bumper on debut on good to soft, and then a winner on Boxing Day on yielding ground) could help his chance here, but there are other more persuasive bets on the day.

Mossey Fen Road was impressive last time out but there’s precious little substance to that form and Le Labo, Joesph O’Brien’s first bumper runner in the UK for five years, achieved more on collateral form at Thurles. Even more interesting is Kilwaughter, who pulled 14 lengths clear with a subsequent winner at Down Royal and has since moved to a yard that’s 5-10 with bumper horses this season.

The Skeltons are positive about Quaviste, who beat an impressive wide-margin winner next time out at Warwick when coming from last to first and knuckling down to reward good market support. There’s plenty of depth in the Skelton yard amongst bumper horses and it would be no surprise if he took another step forward.

---

RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Act of Authority to win the 1.20 at Aintree 1 pt at 9/2 (⭐  ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Park of Kings to win the 1.20 at Aintree 1 pt each/way at 10/1 (⭐  ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Docpickedme to win the 2.30 at Aintree 1 pt at 6/1 (⭐  ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Perceval Legallois to win the Grand National (4.00pm) 1.5pts each/way at 9/1 (7 places) (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Minella Cocooner to win the Grand National (4.00pm) 1.5pts each/way at 13/1 (7 places) (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Intense Raffles to win the Grand National (4.00pm) 1pt each/way at 14/1 (7 places) (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Nick Rockett to win the Grand National (4.00pm) 1pt each/way at 22/1 (7 places) (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Hyland to win the Grand National (4.00pm) 1pt each/way at 18/1 (7 places) (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

---

PROFIT/LOSS (APR 2024): -4.45 POINTS

---

STAR PROMOTIONS