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

The highly anticipated Grand National Festival commences at Aintree on Thursday, with four Grade One events scheduled, and renowned expert Kevin Blake shares his top picks for the day. Following a prolonged winter, Aintree has taken measures to maintain a soft track by applying ample water, promising an exciting few days of racing. Building on the success of the previous Cheltenham Festival, Kevin Blake aims to replicate that achievement this week. The inaugural Grand National fences race, the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase, takes place on Thursday, with LETS GO CHAMP, trained by Mags Mullins, being a notable contender. This 11-year-old has demonstrated significant talent despite being challenging to train, as evidenced by his win in a valuable handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival two years ago and commendable performances in the Galway Plate and the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. After switching to Mags Mullins for hunter chasing, LETS GO CHAMP has shown promise, winning an open at Oldtown in February and 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 appealing is his racing style, characterized by strong traveling and forward-going at mid-range trips, which will serve him well in this test. As a skilled jumper with the right technique for these fences, he is well-equipped for the challenge. Although his rider, Sophie Carter, will not have a claim in this race, she has ridden him to victory in his last two wins and is familiar with him. LETS GO CHAMP appears to be overpriced. The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase is typically a competitive event, but SANS BRUIT, trained by Paul Nicholls, has dominated the last two renewals. The BHA handicapping team has been remarkably generous in their assessment of SANS BRUIT, dropping his mark by 9lb for four subpar performances. This leniency allowed SANS BRUIT to win the race again off the same mark as the previous year. After this victory, he went on to win another valuable handicap chase at Plumpton off a 9lb higher mark. The handicappers have continued to be generous, dropping SANS BRUIT's mark by 11lb for five runs this season that were not particularly poor. It is evident that SANS BRUIT was being targeted for this race, and the handicappers have been more than willing to cooperate. The extent of this generosity is highlighted by SANS BRUIT being installed as the favorite from the opening show, and it is likely that his odds will shorten further. The final race of interest is the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' National Hunt Flat Race, where LENNON GROVE, trained by Gavin Cromwell, is a promising contender. This five-year-old has gained 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. Given her experience and potential for improvement, LENNON GROVE appears to be overpriced.