Expert Picks for Aintree Day One: Kevin Blake's Top 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, aiming to replicate the success achieved during the Cheltenham Festival. The inaugural race of the week, the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase, takes place on Thursday at 3:30, with LETS GO CHAMP emerging as a compelling contender. Trained by Mags Mullins, this 11-year-old has demonstrated considerable talent despite a challenging training history. Following a successful point-to-point debut and a notable win in the Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase, Lets Go Champ's style of racing and jumping technique make him an attractive choice for this event. Furthermore, his partnership with rider Sophie Carter, who has ridden him to victory in his last two races, adds to his appeal. In the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase, Paul Nicholls' SANS BRUIT is poised to make a strong bid for a third consecutive win. Having been generously treated by the handicappers, Sans Bruit's mark has been dropped by 11lb, rendering him a formidable force in this contest. The BHA handicapping team's leniency has raised eyebrows, with some arguing that such treatment would be unlikely in Ireland. Lastly, the Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' National Hunt Flat Race features LENNON GROVE, a five-year-old trained by Gavin Cromwell, as a promising selection. With a wealth of experience in point-to-points and bumpers, including a win at Thurles and a third-place finish in a Listed mares' bumper at Sandown, Lennon Grove is expected to show improvement with a more forward ride, making her an enticing choice at the current odds.