Expert Picks for Aintree Day One: Kevin Blake's 12/1, 11/1, and 3/1 Selections

The highly anticipated Grand National Festival commences at Aintree on Thursday, featuring four prestigious Grade One events. Renowned expert Kevin Blake shares his top picks for the day, including intriguing contenders at 12/1, 11/1, and 3/1. Following a prolonged winter, the Grand National Festival has finally arrived, bringing with it the promise of exhilarating action. The Aintree grounds have been meticulously prepared, with ample water applied to maintain the desired soft track conditions. After a successful stint at the Cheltenham Festival, Kevin Blake aims to replicate that success this week. The inaugural race of the week, the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase, takes place on Thursday at 3:30. LETS GO CHAMP, trained by Mags Mullins, emerges as a compelling prospect. Despite experiencing a challenging training period, this 11-year-old has consistently showcased his talent. He demonstrated remarkable improvement under Henry de Bromhead, culminating in a triumphant win at the Punchestown Festival two years ago. Subsequent impressive performances in the Galway Plate and Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham further underscored his abilities. This season, LETS GO CHAMP has transitioned to hunter chasing under Mags Mullins, achieving resounding victories in point-to-points, including a notable win in the Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase at Gowran Park. The form of these races has been well-documented, establishing LETS GO CHAMP as a leading hunter chaser in Ireland. His racing style, characterized by strong traveling and forward-going at mid-range trips, renders him well-suited for this contest. Moreover, his exceptional jumping technique and familiarity with rider Sophie Carter contribute to his appeal. Given his favorable profile, LETS GO CHAMP appears to be overpriced. The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase, scheduled for 4:40, is a highly competitive event. However, SANS BRUIT, trained by Paul Nicholls, has dominated this race in recent years, winning the last two renewals. The BHA handicapping team has played a significant role in his success, displaying unusual generosity in their assessment. After his initial win in 2024, SANS BRUIT was assigned a higher mark but subsequently experienced a series of below-par performances. The handicappers responded by dropping his mark by 9lb, an unusually drastic reduction. This leniency enabled SANS BRUIT to reclaim his title the following year, and he has since continued to thrive. The BHA's handling of SANS BRUIT's mark has raised eyebrows, as it deviates from standard practices. Typically, a horse receiving such generous treatment would be subject to a more stringent reassessment. However, the handicappers have continued to be lenient, dropping SANS BRUIT's mark by a further 11lb this season. This unusual treatment has led to SANS BRUIT being installed as the favorite for the Red Rum Handicap Chase, and his odds are expected to shorten further. The final race of interest is the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' National Hunt Flat Race, scheduled for 5:15. In this event, LENNON GROVE, trained by Gavin Cromwell, emerges as an attractive prospect. This five-year-old has accumulated significant experience, having won a point-to-point and participated in four bumpers. Her most notable performance was a third-place finish in a Listed mares' bumper at Sandown in March. Given her experience and potential for improvement, LENNON GROVE appears to be overpriced.