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

The highly anticipated Grand National Festival is set to kick off at Aintree on Thursday, featuring four prestigious Grade One events. Renowned expert Kevin Blake shares his top picks for the day, including three compelling selections. Following a successful stint at the Cheltenham Festival, Blake aims to replicate his triumph at Aintree. The first race of the week, the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase, takes place on Thursday at 3:30, with LETS GO CHAMP, trained by Mags Mullins, emerging as a strong contender. This 11-year-old has demonstrated exceptional talent despite a challenging training history, marked by a four-year gap between his point-to-point win and racecourse debut. Under the guidance of Henry de Bromhead, LETS GO CHAMP showcased his abilities by claiming a valuable handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival two years ago and subsequently performing admirably in the Galway Plate and Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. After switching to Mags Mullins this season, LETS GO CHAMP made a promising start in point-to-points, defeating Stuzzikini and Journey With Me in an open event at Oldtown in February, followed by a victory in the prestigious Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase at Gowran Park in March. The form of these two races has been impressive, positioning LETS GO CHAMP among the top hunter chasers in Ireland. What makes LETS GO CHAMP an attractive choice for this contest is his racing style, characterized by strong traveling and forward-going at mid-range trips, which will serve him well in this test. Additionally, he is an skilled jumper with the right technique for these fences. Although his rider, Sophie Carter, cannot utilize her claim in this race, she has ridden LETS GO CHAMP to his last two wins and is familiar with him. In the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase, SANS BRUIT, trained by Paul Nicholls, is a notable contender, having won the last two renewals. The BHA handicapping team has played a significant role in SANS BRUIT's success, exemplified by their generosity in dropping his mark by 9lb for four below-par runs. This aggressive drop enabled SANS BRUIT to return to this race off the same mark as his previous win, and he proceeded to bolt up once again. The handicappers have continued to be lenient, dropping SANS BRUIT 11lb for five runs this season, which were not particularly poor. This treatment has raised questions about the fairness of the handicapping system, with SANS BRUIT being favored at the expense of other competitors. The final race of interest is the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' National Hunt Flat Race, where LENNON GROVE, trained by Gavin Cromwell, emerges as a promising selection. This five-year-old has garnered significant experience, having won a point-to-point and competed in four bumpers, including a victory at Thurles in December and a third-place finish in a Listed mares' bumper at Sandown in March. Held up in rear, LENNON GROVE made notable late gains, and it is anticipated that she will be given a more forward ride, potentially leading to further improvement. Her current price appears to be overpriced, making her an appealing choice.