Grand National Tips: Newsboy's Comprehensive Guide to Aintree Festival Final Day
The eyes of the global racing community are firmly fixed on Aintree today for the Randox Grand National, the highlight of the prestigious Aintree Festival. Newsboy, our esteemed racing correspondent, delivers an exhaustive race-by-race analysis and expert selections for the entire card, offering invaluable insights for punters and enthusiasts alike.
12.45 Race: Kala Conti Tipped as Value Against Favourite
Kala Conti emerges as the standout value selection against the hot favourite, Salvator Mundi. This Gordon Elliott-trained mare demonstrated considerable prowess as a hurdler, securing four victories over the smaller obstacles. However, she has transitioned into an even more formidable chaser, with significant potential for further improvement.
Making her chase debut over two miles and five furlongs at Cork in November, under jockey Jack Kennedy, she delivered a commanding nine-and-a-half-length victory over Farfromnowhere. She followed this with another impressive performance in a Grade 2 event over a slightly shorter distance at the same course a fortnight later, winning convincingly.
The form received a substantial boost when Kargese, the sixteen-length runner-up from that race, went on to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham last month. While Kala Conti finished a respectable five-length second to Sixmilebridge in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown Park in January, she has benefited from a ten-week break and is poised to resume her upward trajectory with a first top-level triumph.
Salvator Mundi, a previous Grade 1 winner over hurdles, remains a serious threat over fences, while Mighty Bandit and No Questions Asked are the most credible contenders for minor honours.
Newsboy’s Prediction: 1. KALA CONTI, 2. SALVATOR MUNDI, 3. MIGHTY BANDIT
1.20 Race: Hold The Serve Expected to Continue Winning Streak
Hold The Serve is identified as the ace in the pack, demonstrating consistent improvement with each outing. After a disappointing run as the favourite in a two-mile maiden hurdle at Cheltenham in November, trainer Olly Murphy promptly arranged a wind operation for the six-year-old gelding.
The procedure proved highly effective. Fitted with a tongue strap, Hold The Serve returned to win over two and a half miles at Wincanton. He then carried a penalty to a nine-length victory at Market Rasen before entering handicap company at Kempton Park in February, where he completed a hat-trick with a spirited three-and-a-half-length win over Royal Infantry.
Although now racing off a 7lb higher mark, the step up to three miles is anticipated to elicit another personal best. In a competitive field, fellow Murphy trainee Good To Be Alive, Cheltenham winner Supremely West, Jeriko Du Reponet, and Kaka’s Cousin are all considered capable of playing significant roles.
Newsboy’s Prediction: 1. HOLD THE SERVE, 2. GOOD TO BE ALIVE, 3. KAKA’S COUSIN
1.45 Race: Scorpio Rising Poised for Grade 1 Success
Scorpio Rising receives the nod to successfully step up to Grade 1 level. Unbeaten in four hurdle races this season, his rapid rate of progression suggests this ambitious target is well within his capabilities.
Beginning his winning spree in a maiden hurdle over two and a half miles at Perth in October, he then moved into handicap company at Lingfield Park, effortlessly defying an opening mark of 113. Subsequent victories at Windsor and in the valuable European Breeders' Fund “National Hunt” Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final at Sandown Park, where he beat Get On George by two and three-quarter lengths despite a 7lb rise, underscore his talent.
This assignment demands more, but Scorpio Rising appears far from finished. Both Bossman Jack and Ballyfad are expected to improve from their Cheltenham performances, while Lord Byron also enters calculations.
Newsboy’s Prediction: 1. SCORPIO RISING, 2. BALLYFAD, 3. LORD BYRON
2.30 Race: Brave Fortune Appeals Over Longer Trip
Brave Fortune, a lightly raced and improving chaser, is of definite interest now returning to a distance beyond three miles. Beginning his career with trainer Pat Doyle, he won two of nine starts over hurdles and made a promising chase debut.
After a 187-day break and a transfer to Joseph O’Brien’s yard, he returned with a moderate fourth at Fairyhouse. However, his subsequent three-quarter-length second to the progressive Rising Dust in a handicap at Thurles in January was much more encouraging. The manner of that finish strongly suggests that stepping back up in distance is the ideal strategy as he attempts to overcome a 9lb rise in the weights.
Lookaway, who landed a gamble in Kempton Park’s Ladbrokes Trophy in February, is feared, along with Mr Hope Street and Konfusion.
Newsboy’s Prediction: 1. BRAVE FORTUNE, 2. LOOKAWAY, 3. MR HOPE STREET
3.05 Race: Home By The Lee Aiming for Cheltenham-Aintree Double
Home By The Lee seeks to complete a notable Cheltenham-Aintree double after his victory in the Stayers’ Hurdle last month. That triumph marked his third success at the highest level, confirming his quality and resilience.
Trainer Joseph O’Brien reapplied blinkers for the Galmoy Hurdle win at Gowran Park in January, and the headgear was instrumental again at Cheltenham, where the eleven-year-old fought back gamely to beat Ballyburn by a length and a half. Although pulled up in this race in both 2023 and 2025, he arrives in the form to make it third time lucky.
Honesty Policy, who finished fifth at Cheltenham and remains unexposed, is primed for a strong run, with 2024 winner Strong Leader and Hiddenvalley Lake also considered podium candidates.
Newsboy’s Prediction: 1. HOME BY THE LEE, 2. HONESTY POLICY, 3. STRONG LEADER
4.00 Race: The Randox Grand National – Captain Cody Fancied to Bounce Back
All attention converges on the world’s most famous steeplechase, the Randox Grand National. Captain Cody is selected to capitalise on ideal conditions and recapture the form that delivered victory in the Scottish Grand National last April.
Willie Mullins’ dominant stable, which has won the last two runnings, fields eight runners. Drying ground at Aintree significantly enhances the chances of the eight-year-old Captain Cody, whose four runs this season have been underwhelming. However, the key lies in the terrain; it is almost a year to the day since he secured his career-best win on Scotland’s west coast.
In the Scottish National, he produced a breathtaking turn of foot to overhaul stablemate Klarc Kent and win by a length. Although now 12lb higher in the ratings, that rise is well deserved, and an eight-year-old should be at his peak. The extra distance of the Grand National is not expected to pose a problem, and the modern, more forgiving fences suit his jumping style.
Jockey Johnny Burke, seeking his best National placing, takes the ride. Of the rivals, Mullins’ I Am Maximus (winner in 2024, second in 2025), Grangeclare West (third last year), and Champ Kiely are dangers, as is Gorgeous Tom. However, the most significant threat is posed by the improving novice Oscars Brother, who bids to give owner JP McManus a record fourth National win after a promising fourth at Cheltenham.
Newsboy’s Prediction: 1. CAPTAIN CODY, 2. OSCARS BROTHER, 3. I AM MAXIMUS, 4. GORGEOUS TOM, 5. GRANGECLARE WEST, 6. CHAMP KIELY
5.00 Race: One Knight Expected to Maintain Perfect Record
One Knight is fancied to preserve his unbeaten record for the in-form trainer Emma Lavelle. The six-year-old, a son of Derby winner Sir Percy, was last of eleven on his debut but has since transformed.
After a 222-day break and a move to Lavelle’s yard, he won a bumper at Southwell at 25-1. Following another lengthy absence of 477 days, he returned to win comfortably at Hereford 17 days ago as the 4-5 favourite. While evidently not the easiest horse to train, his latent ability is undeniable, and with significant untapped potential, he is expected to deliver another commanding performance.
Bass Hunter, Look Me, The Perfect Poet, and Ronnie Russet are all promising youngsters with bright futures ahead.
Newsboy’s Prediction: 1. ONE KNIGHT, 2. BASS HUNTER, 3. LOOK ME
