Horse Racing tips: Matt Chapman’s top picks for Thursday’s Aintree action

Matt C takes a deep dive into all of Thursday's races at Aintree.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

13:45Pic DOrhy

A Grade 1 Novice Chase to start the three-day fiesta and I’m siding with PIC DORHY to get trainer Paul Nicholls off to a flying start as he chases down another UK Trainers’ Championship.

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14:20 – Pied Piper

The Grand National meeting on ITV gets under way here with a Grade 1 for juvenile hurdlers over 2m1f. PIED PIPER will be very hard to beat for Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell. The Triumph Hurdle third was probably just outstayed by two top class youngsters at the Festival but this sharp track should be right up his street.

14:55 – Protektorat

This is the Grade 1 Bowl Chase over 3m1f. It’s hard to think PROTEKTORAT didn’t prove his stamina when third in the Gold Cup behind A Plus Tard and we have already got evidence this tight track is absolutely what he enjoys. That came in a startling performance in the Many Clouds Chase earlier in the season. Dan Skelton’s runner is lightly raced this season, fresh and will take some stopping under Harry Skelton.

15:30 – Brewinupastorm

Another Grade 1 here in the Aintree Hurdle over 2m4f. I think this is wide open and I want to take on Zanahiyr. I’ll go with the stamina of BREWINUPASTORM for Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen. The former Ballymore fourth has turned into a useful performer over the trip and was far from disgraced in the National Spirit at Fontwell last time. I’ll take him to cause a small upset.

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16:05 – Porlock Bay

Is the Foxhunters’ Open Hinters’ Chase 2m5f. PORLOCK BAY has not quite been in the form that took him to Cheltenham victory in 2021 but he really should have each-way claims here for trainer-jockey William Biddick. My selection has been turned over at short odds in his last two starts but his Billaway from is rock solid and he jumps well. Decent each-way claims at decent each-way odds.

16:40 – Frero Banbou

Finally a Grade 3 handicap chase on ITV over 2m. FRERO BANBOU was never going the pace at Cheltenham behind Global Citizen and did really well in the end to finish third in the Grand Annual. At face value that would make you think he would struggle even more here, but I wonder whether he wasn’t quite on his A game that day in which case he has solid each-way claims for Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch.

17:15 – Rosy Redrum

ROSY REDRUM has the right name for this track after the three-time Grand National winner Red Rum and flew home on her last start when second to Top Dog at Newbury. A reproduction of that form will see her go close again.

So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?

Aintree betting tips:

13:45 – Pic DOrhy
14:20 – Pied Piper
14:55 – Protektorat
15:30 – Brewinupastorm
16:05 – Porlock Bay
16:40 – Frero Banbou
17:15 – Rosy Redrum

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

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