Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Aintree Grand National Meeting Day 3 Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Aintree 4.00 – Grand National
I Am Maximus (7/1 jt fav) is my main hope for the 2026 Grand National.
He was such an impressive winner two years ago and, while it’s never easy to win it again, he showed when second last year off just a pound lower that he’s very much got the ability to do it.
Paul Townend has picked him over all of the other Willie Mullins horses and that’s probably a tip in itself.
He ran really well at Christmas at a massive price and the run at the Dublin Racing Festival will have very much been a prep for this.
He’s got to go well again.
Stablemate Grangeclare West (17/2) can follow him home.
The fact he won the Bobbyjo Chase last time has to give him a big chance here given the last two winners of this race won that one prior to being successful at Aintree.
He’s only been nudged up three pounds for that impressive win last time and he’s got experience over these fences having run a cracker to finish third 12 months ago.
This is such a classy race now and one of the classiest horses in the lineup is Gerri Colombe (22/1).
He’s a multiple Grade 1 winner and was second to Grangeclare West in the aforementioned Bobbyjo Chase two starts ago.
He warmed up for this with a good performance at Down Royal and he’s unbeaten at Aintree.
There has been a flurry of support for Panic Attack (7/1 jt fav) and she’s got to be a player.
She’s gone from strength to strength this season and was a brilliant winner of big handicaps at Cheltenham and Newbury. She’s obviously up in the weights but ran really well in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham and if she stays, which she promises to do, she could go very close to giving the Skeltons another day in the sun.
Megan’s Grand National 1-2-3-4:
1. I Am Maximus
2. Grangeclare West
3. Gerri Colombe
4. Panic Attack
Aintree 12.45 – Maghull Novices’ Chase
Kala Conti (4/1) is the one I like, especially dropping back in trip.
That form with Kargese looks very solid now and she was probably just outstayed at Sandown last time in a messy, small-field race.
Her trainer, Gordon Elliott, is having a good week already and I fancy him to have another winner here.
Megan’s Tip: Kala Conti WIN
Aintree 1.20 – 3m Handicap Hurdle
Supremely West (7/2f) was so impressive at Cheltenham that I think it’s hard to get away from him here.
I saw him the other day in the flesh and he looked great, so I expect him to take all the beating here. He’s clearly a horse massively on the upgrade and I thought it was interesting that connections gave him a Grade 1 entry.
Each-way, I could see Absolutely Doyen (11/1) running well. He wasn’t disgraced at Cheltenham and he’s done most of his winning on flat tracks so I can see Aintree suiting him.
The other is Duke Silver (12/1), who ran very well at Cheltenham. He’s not overly raced and there might be more improvement to come. Joseph O’Brien doesn’t send horses over for races like this unless he thinks they can be competitive, so he’s worth a second look.
Megan’s Tip: Supremely West WIN; Absolutely Doyen EW; Duke Silver EW
Aintree 1.55 – Mersey Novices’ Hurdle
Scorpio Rising (13/2) will be carrying my cash here.
I’ve been quite impressed with him this season and plenty of his form is working out well. You’d imagine this has been the plan since Sandown and I have a feeling they think they have a Grade 1 contender on their hands.
Megan’s Tip: Scorpio Rising WIN
Aintree 2.30 – 3m Handicap Chase
The step up in trip looks ideal for Brave Fortune (13/2) and I fancy him quite strongly here.
He’s only had a couple of starts for Joseph O’Brien but he seems to be coming to the boil at the perfect time and I reckon he’s very well-handicapped.
If I’m right, he should go very well.
Megan’s Tip: Brave Fortune EW
Aintree 3.05 – Liverpool Hurdle
I’m expecting Impose Toi (13/2) to bounce back in the Liverpool Hurdle, with a return to Aintree a real plus.
He didn’t really go a yard in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but that wasn’t his true running and I’m prepared to forgive him for it. If he’s in the same form as earlier in the season, he’s got a real chance at a track we know he likes.
It’s a wide-open race with plenty having quirks or questions to answer, but I have a feeling Impose Toi, with his correct conditions, will go very well, especially if he’s strong in the market.
Megan’s Tip: Impose Toi WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
