Gordon Elliott kicked off the Grand National meeting with a notable Grade One double, highlighted by Brighterdaysahead’s victory in the Aintree Hurdle, confirming her strong form despite a Cheltenham winless record. Elliott plans to transition her to novice chasing next season, optimistic about her future prospects. Meanwhile, Dan Skelton’s The New Lion was narrowly beaten after a poor jump at the last fence, leaving Skelton determined to come back stronger next year. Willie Mullins, who dominated last year’s opening day, failed to secure a Grade One win this time, with victories going to horses trained by Henry de Bromhead and Nicky Henderson.

Looking ahead to day two, the Topham Handicap Chase is the key betting race, with Dan Skelton’s Madara favored following a strong Cheltenham win, though historical trends suggest festival winners often struggle in this race. Alternatives like Henry de Bromhead’s Coming Up Easy offer attractive each-way value. Other notable contenders include Emid’io Pepe, Gold Dancer, and Heart Wood, all showing promising form from Cheltenham. The Grand National field will see some last-minute changes, with two reserves entering after withdrawals, setting the stage for a competitive and unpredictable weekend at Aintree.