Aintree Grand National Festival 2023: Day 2 Tips
It's Day 2 of the Grand National Festival on Friday with four Grade 1 races on the card. Izzy Phillips has shared her expert picks for the day's events with five selections that you can read more about below.
Day 2 Aintree Tips
14:55 Poundland Top Novices' Hurdle
Selection: Luccia
Luccia had looked very impressive on her 4 unbeaten starts and wasn’t disgraced at the Cheltenham Festival. Nicky Henderson showed that his horses are ready for their races at Aintree so hopefully the same can be said for Luccia. Conditions Luccia’s hurdle form comes on good ground which she should get so I like her to bounce back to winning ways.
15:30 Marsh Chase (Registered As The Melling Chase) (Grade 1)
Selection: Fakir D’Oudairies
Aintree seems to bring out the best in Fakir D’Oudairies and he clearly loves this race having won it in 2021 and 2022. I mentioned yesterday that I feel JP O’Brien has come to Aintree with a strong hand and this lad is a big part of that. He didn’t seem to enjoy himself in the Ascot Chase so he’s not had the same successes that he saw last year but I think the conditions should be ideal for him to notch up a third win in his favourite race.
16:05 Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Handicap Chase
Selection: Final Orders E/W & Al Dancer E/W
Final Orders didn’t manage to make it 6 on the bounce in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival but he did show a decent late burst and run on to 5th in gruelling conditions. I think he may have found the race at Cheltenham a little short and this looks to be more up his street these days. He’s a solid jumper so hopefully he’ll take to the fences and enjoy this.
Al Dancer was last seen when winning the Grand Sefton at Aintree so we know he’s fresh and he has course form. He’s a consistent jumper so should take to the National fences. Looking at his form he’s a bit of an all rounder having won in many different conditions so it doesn’t seem that this should phase him and I'm confident of a bold come back run.
17:15 Abersoch Land And Sea Handicap Hurdle
Selection: Ukantango E/W
Ukantango didn’t seem to like the soft ground in the Tolworth at Sandown but should be much happier with the ground at Aintree. He has course form and could easily bounce back. Olly Murphy is a trainer in form, currently operating at a 33% strike rate. An excellent each way chance.