Two days to go. The Grand National field is confirmed. Aintree Festival racing is underway today. The market is live. Here is the complete guide to the next 48 hours for every punter planning to bet on Saturday.
Today, Thursday April 9 — Watch the Ground
The most valuable thing you can do today is not look at form — it is watch the going updates from Aintree's Thursday card. The going stick readings published alongside each race tell you precisely how the track is riding. If conditions soften significantly through Thursday, the Saturday ground picture changes and horses with proven soft-ground form — particularly Grangeclare West with his Bobbyjo win on heavy ground — move up in the assessment. If conditions hold firmer than forecast, speed and class come more into play and I Am Maximus's credentials are enhanced.
Also watch Spillane's Tower in the Bowl Chase at 14:55. He is a Grand National reserve and his owners JP McManus will run him in the Bowl if the ground is suitable, confirming he stays in the reserve list. If he runs well today, he is removed from National consideration. If connections withdraw him from the Bowl and keep him in the National reserves, his profile for Saturday improves.
Friday April 10 — Ladies Day — The Topham is Everything
Friday's Randox Topham Handicap Chase at 16:05 is the single most important race for Grand National punters on the entire Festival card. It is run over 2m5f on the Grand National course itself — jumping Becher's Brook, the Canal Turn and the Chair under race conditions. Horses that jump these fences cleanly on Friday arrive on Saturday with that experience banked. Any horse that stumbles, falls or shows resistance at a specific fence on Friday is giving you live information about how it will handle those same fences on Saturday.
The non-runner deadline for the Grand National is 1pm on Friday. Any confirmed runner that develops a problem between now and 1pm Friday can be replaced by a reserve. Check for any non-runner news Friday morning before the deadline passes.
Saturday April 11 — Race Day
The Grand National starts at 4pm. ITV1 carries the race free to air. The morning market will move as final fitness assessments are made and any last-minute changes confirmed. The optimal time to place your bet if you have not already is between 9am and 12pm Saturday — before the casual money that floods in on race morning pushes short-priced horses down and drifts the bigger-priced each-way plays.
Back your selection each-way for five places. Use a Best Odds Guaranteed bookmaker if possible — if your horse drifts between now and the SP, BOG pays you the bigger price.
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