Expert Picks for Aintree Day One: Kevin Blake's Top Selections

The highly anticipated Grand National Festival kicks off at Aintree on Thursday, featuring four prestigious Grade One events. Renowned expert Kevin Blake shares his top picks for the day, including a trio of promising contenders. Following a successful Cheltenham Festival, Blake aims to replicate his success this week. The first race of the week over the Grand National fences is the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase, where LETS GO CHAMP, trained by Mags Mullins, is a notable contender. This 11-year-old has demonstrated significant talent despite being challenging to train, with a notable win in a valuable handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival two years ago. After switching to hunter chasing this season, LETS GO CHAMP has shown impressive form, beating Stuzzikini and Journey With Me in an open at Oldtown and lowering the colors of Hunters Yarn in the Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase at Gowran Park. His style of racing, characterized by strong traveling and forward-going at mid-range trips, makes him an appealing choice for this contest. Additionally, his jumping technique is well-suited for these fences. Blake also fancies SANS BRUIT in the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase, who has won the last two renewals of this race. Despite being dropped 9lb for four below-par runs, SANS BRUIT went on to win this race again off the same mark as the previous year. The handicappers have been generous in dropping him 11lb for five runs this season, making him a strong contender for a third consecutive win. Lastly, Blake recommends LENNON GROVE in the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' National Hunt Flat Race, an Irish-trained horse with loads of experience, including a win in a point-to-point and four bumper races. Her third-place finish in a Listed mares' bumper at Sandown in March is particularly notable, and she may show improvement with a more forward ride.