Aintree Festival Day 2 Preview

Day two of the 2025 Aintree Festival sees another four Grade 1 races supported by three handicaps, including the Topham over the Grand National fences. 

Our expert, Jake Aldrich, has a trio of selections on the card.

Friday’s  tips

2.55 Aintree – Tripoli Flyer 

1.45 Aintree – Handstands 

4.40 Aintree – Califet En Vol 

1.45  Aintree – Handstands

Handstands is worth supporting in the opening contest on Friday and can get favourite backers off to a winning start.

He is already a Grade 1 winner courtesy for a game performance in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown in February, form that has been franked by the runner up Jango Baie taking the Arkle at Cheltenham. Aintree has always been the target since that race and he is another who arrives a fresh horse having skipped Cheltenham. A winner of seven of his nine starts (including a point to point) it remains to be seen where his limitations lie.

The son of Getaway handles a variety of ground conditions and is open to further improvement back up to three miles.

His main market rivals have more questions to answer, with Caldwell Potter moving up in trip/grade, while Dancing City must bounce back from a heavy defeat at the Cheltenham Festival.

2.55 Aintree – Tripoli Flyer

Ten go to post for the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle over two miles, with the standard set by Grade 1 winner and Supreme Hurdle third Romeo Coolio. However, at the prices he is passed over in favour of Tripoli Flyer.

Fergal O’Brien’s progressive hurdler was a late non-runner at Cheltenham, but as a result arrives here a fresh horse. He ran out an impressive winner of the Grade 2 Dovcote at Kempton when last seen, ahead of useful types in Miami Magic and Celtic Dino. 

The son of Getaway clearly has a big engine and his jumping is improving with experience. He will be well suited by the ground conditions and will enjoy a strong pace to aim at.

O’Brien’s yard continues in excellent form, operating at a 30% strike rate over the past two weeks. 

4.40 Aintree – Califet En Vol

Califet En Vol can make a bold bid to gain a first Grade 1 victory in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at 4.40 on Friday. 

Nicky Henderson’s runner has shown progressive form in a trio of races in Novice company this season, winning twice and only being beaten by The New Lion in November.

That form has been franked in a big way with that rival winning Grade 1s at both Newbury and Cheltenham.

Califet En Vol looks set to relish this step up to  three miles for a yard that has won this contest three times in the last 10 years.

Mister Meggit is an interesting rival, having won very easily on his debut over hurdles at this track in November, but possibly lacks experience for a race of this quality. 

Friday’s tips

2.55 Aintree – Tripoli Flyer 

1.45 Aintree – Handstands 

4.40 Aintree – Califet En Vol