The 2025 Randox Grand National Festival opens at Aintree on Thursday and our each-way expert has three picks for punters from the ITV races
Go Gung ho in the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase. The name McCain will forever be associated with Aintree and Cheshire-based trainer Donald can land the race named after his dad Ginger’s three-time National hero with GALUNGGUNG (4.40).
He hasn’t had much racing for a nine-year-old but he’s taken well to fences this season. After making a successful chase debut last May, he was unlucky not to double his tally when a bad mistake two from home cost him victory at Market Rasen on Boxing Day.
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There was a lot to like about the way he travelled and jumped when landing a Carlisle novices’ handicap in February and he still looks nicely weighted. His prominent style of racing should also help in a race lacking much pace. Have 2pts each-way at 33-1. Sky Bet is paying out on five places.
RUBAUD (1.45) was a smart hurdler and his chase form gives him a decent chance in the EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase. He made L’Eau du Sud work for his Grade 2 Warwick win in February. The winner went on to finish a close fourth in the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.
My fancy arrives at Aintree on the back of a gritty success in the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase at Kempton when he didn’t help his chances by jumping out to his left. He stayed the 2m4f distance strongly and he has potential to progress over this longer trip.
The drying ground suits him really well and Paul Nicholls has wisely saved him for this race. Have 1pt each-way at 14-1.
The opening day’s race over the Grand National fences is the big-field Randox Foxhunters’ Chase. SENIOR CITIZEN (4.05) knows his way around the iconic track having completed this course and distance on five occasions.
He was third in the Topham Chase at this meeting four years ago and he went even closer in the Grand Sefton seven months later.
His hunter chase form for Alan King last season wasn’t particularly inspiring but he’s since joined Alan Hill and he was impressive in a point-to-point for his new yard. Have 1pt each-way at 50-1. Plenty of firms are offering five places.
