Aintree Day One Expert Picks: 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 LETS GO CHAMP, SANS BRUIT, and LENNON GROVE. The Grand National Festival has finally arrived, bringing an end to the long winter. Aintree has taken measures to maintain the desired soft track conditions by applying ample water. This sets the stage for an exhilarating few days of racing action. Following a successful stint at the Cheltenham Festival, Kevin Blake aims to replicate that success this week. The first event of the week, the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase, takes place on Thursday at 3:30, with LETS GO CHAMP being a compelling contender. Trained by Mags Mullins, this 11-year-old has demonstrated considerable talent despite being challenging to train. He showcased his ability by winning a valuable handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival two years ago and has since performed well in notable events like the Galway Plate and the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham. After switching to Mags Mullins this season, LETS GO CHAMP made a promising start in point-to-points, beating Stuzzikini and Journey With Me, and later won the prestigious Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase at Gowran Park. His racing style, characterized by strong traveling and forward-going at mid-range trips, makes him well-suited for this test. Additionally, he is an adept jumper with the right technique for these fences. Although his rider, Sophie Carter, won't be able to utilize her 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, scheduled for 4:40, is typically a competitive event, but SANS BRUIT has dominated the last two renewals. The BHA handicapping team has played a significant role in his success, exemplifying their cooperative approach when handicapping British-trained runners. After winning this race in 2024 with a mark of 130, SANS BRUIT performed well off a higher mark but was then given a generous 9lb drop for four below-par runs. This aggressive drop is unusual, especially for a seven-year-old horse. Paul Nicholls trained SANS BRUIT to win this race again off the same mark, and he followed up with another victory at Plumpton off a 9lb higher mark. If a similar scenario occurred in Ireland, the horse would likely face a tough rise and be slow to drop again. However, the BHA handicapping team has been generous once more, dropping SANS BRUIT 11lb for five runs this season. This move has raised questions about the handicapping process, and it will be interesting to see how SANS BRUIT performs. The final event of interest is the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' National Hunt Flat Race at 5:15, where LENNON GROVE, trained by Gavin Cromwell, is a promising contender. This five-year-old has gained valuable experience, winning a point-to-point and competing in four bumpers. Her third-place finish in a Listed mares' bumper at Sandown in March is particularly noteworthy, as she made good late gains from the rear. Now that she has secured black type, it is likely that she will be given a more forward ride, and she may show further improvement. LENNON GROVE appears to be overpriced.