Aintree Festival Day 1 specials & Top Trainer & Jockey

Sport loves a good example of the Lord Mayor’s Show but the Aintree Festival – while not more exciting than Aintree – is a top class festival in its own right, with racing as good as Cheltenham in places along with the highlight of the Grand National at the end of the week.

This year’s meeting already has plenty of stories – Think of Big Bucks going for 17 in a row and Hunt Ball today – but the battle for the trainer’s championship is an extra highlight this year and Nicky Henderson can take what may well be the final step towards his trainer’s title victory by repreating his Cheltenham exploits and winning the top trainer award.

Expect Nicholls – who could well gain a first day double through Al Ferof and Big Bucks, along with holding chances in the Foxhunters and Betfred Bowl – to have a better Aintree than Cheltenham, but the extra week between the two meetings this year should be very helpful in allowing his top charges extra time to recover from Aintree to this meeting, and that could prove crucial.

Simonsig, Sprinter Sacre, Riverside Theatre, Finian's Rainbow, Oscar Whisky, and Darlan all hold excellent chances with the added bonus that the track is likely to suit all of those mentioned – indeed 2 are previous winners – while Shakalakaboomboomis a good wildcard in the National. Henderson has any number of handicap possible who could snatch a win and although things should be harder for him with his main rival in form, it’s hard not to see him taking the beating.

With Barry Geraghty riding 5 of the 6 main chances from the Henderson squad, he’s an obvious choice for top jockey and backing the two in a double also seems to be wise.

As for today’s specials, the enchanced favourite specials which involve Big Bucks, Grumeti and Riverside Theatre pay 100/1 and 130/1 w/Skybet by adding Gwanako in the Foxhunters and Edgardo Sol in the Red Rum handicap chase  look to be stupidly big and worth a small stake for each.

Advice – Top trainer and jockey

4 pts Nicky Henderson top trainer (13/8 Paddy Power)

3 pts Barry Geraghty top jockey (9/4 Bet365)

Advice – Day 1 specials

1 pt Big Bucks - Grumeti - Riverside Theatre - Edgardo Sol (210/1 Hills)

1 pt  Big Bucks - Grumeti - Riverside Theatre - Gwanko; (100/1 Hills)