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

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 three enticing selections. The Grand National Festival has finally arrived, marking the end of a long winter. Aintree has taken measures to maintain a soft track by applying ample water, promising an exciting few days of action. Following a successful Cheltenham Festival, Kevin Blake aims to replicate that success this week. 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, being a notable contender. This 11-year-old has demonstrated considerable talent despite being challenging to train, with a win in a valuable handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival two years ago. He has since shown impressive form in point-to-points, beating Stuzzikini and Journey With Me, and lowering the colors of Hunters Yarn in the Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase. Lets Go Champ's racing style, characterized by strong traveling and forward-going at mid-range trips, makes him well-suited for this test. He is also an adept jumper with the right technique for these fences. Although his rider, Sophie Carter, cannot utilize her claim in this race, she has ridden him to victory in his last two wins and is familiar with him. Kevin Blake believes Lets Go Champ is overpriced. The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase at 4:40 is another competitive event, with SANS BRUIT, trained by Paul Nicholls, having won the last two renewals. The BHA handicapping team has been generous with Sans Bruit, dropping him 9lb for four below-par runs, allowing him to win this race again off the same mark as the previous year. After winning at Plumpton off a 9lb higher mark, Sans Bruit has been dropped 11lb for five runs this season, which Kevin Blake finds exceptionally generous. He suspects that Sans Bruit will start as favorite and potentially shorten in price. The final race of interest is the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' National Hunt Flat Race at 5:15, where Kevin Blake fancies the Irish-trained LENNON GROVE, trained by Gavin Cromwell. This five-year-old has gained valuable experience, winning a point-to-point and racing four times in bumpers, including a third-place finish in a Listed mares' bumper at Sandown. Lennon Grove is expected to be given a more forward ride, and Kevin Blake believes she is overpriced.