ITV Racing Tips for Aintree - Thursday 9th April

It's Day One of the Grand National Festival from Aintree, featuring four Grade One races on the card and our first look over the National Fences for the week with the Foxhunters Chase. With six live races on ITV for the afternoon, we've gone through all the televised races to pick out our tips and selections for the day.

Maestro Conti 7/2

Arrived on the scene for the Skelton yard in December with an impressive win at Kempton and followed that up with a graded success at Cheltenham on trials day. Sliced through the field in eye-catching style in the Triumph hurdle last month only to be outgunned by Apolon De Charnie late on. Holds Selma De Vary and Minella Study on that form and can go one better now.

Koktail Divin 11/4

Progressive over fences this term and can be forgiven for not staying in the Brown Advisory Chase at Cheltenham when last seen, being in with a chance before 3 out. Absolutely bolted up at Leopardstown in December in a smart performance having some useful sorts behind. Back on better ground here today and down in trip, he can give Lulamba a real race.

Impaire Et Passe 4/1

Got the better of Jango Baie at this meeting last year to go 2-2 at the Aintree Festival. Can be forgiven for his lacklustre outing in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and its less likely to have left a mark on him for this. Jango Baie had a hard race in the Gold Cup and looks vulnerable at the top of the market. Ground looks ideal, he loves this course and is unexposed over this trip. Can make it a perfect 3-3 at the Aintree Festival.

Gracchus De Balme 20/1

Won this race last year off the back of a pulled up effort so can be forgiven for not completing at Cheltenham last month. This intermediate trip suits better and ground conditions are absolutely ideal. Caused an upset in this race 12 months ago and can get in the mix again.

Brighterdaysahead 2/1

Won at this meeting in the 2.5 mile novice race in 2024 and looks ready for a return to a longer trip now, having been outpaced by Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle last month. Gets her handy mares’ allowance from The New Lion and can confirm their Champion Hurdle placings here.

Ryan’s Rocket 10/1

Won in good fashion in November at Newbury and looked to be following that effort up in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton, travelling powerfully before unseating 4 out. Made some errors again at Kempton over 2.5 miles when last seen but a mark of 132 leaves him too well handicapped to ignore on favoured quicker ground. Weighted to go well if his jumping stands the test.

Below we've put together some of the best bookmaker offers and promotions ahead of Thursday's racing from Aintree.

• Win Double
• Accumulator Tips
• Lucky 15 Tips
• Request-a-bet Tips
• ITV 7 Tips

Other specific tips available include:

• NAP of the Day
• Each Way Tips
• Dark Horse Tips