Grand National Ladies’ Day preview: Race predictions for Grand National Festival

DAY two from Aintree is full of colour and glamour as the much-anticipated Ladies Day arrives.

As well as the fun and style off the course, there's also some top class action on it with the big day still to come 24 hours later.

Grand National Festival 2024 Day 2 Races

A total of four Grade 1s to come on Friday with the feature being the Melling Chase. Whether you prefer hurdles or chases, there's plenty of both to enjoy!

Below are the dates, times and everything you'll need to know.

About Grand National Festival Ladies’ Day

It's labelled 'the original Ladies Day' with punters marking this as a highlight of the social and racing calendar from across the UK - and beyond!

The battle off the track is also a big one, with the slogan 'here to be seen’ers’ and the ‘go glamorous or go home’ers’ a particular insight into the extreme lengths many will go to in order to present themselves well on the day.

The punters at Aintree always deliver an incredible atmosphere and - even with the weather - we're expecting no different this year.

But there's also some incredible action on the turf, with four Grade 1s to get your teeth into, with the Melling Chase a highlight for day two.

Grand National Day 2 predictions and best odds

Here, we take a closer look at all seven races and provide our best bets, tips and analysis for Day Two of the Aintree Festival.

Melling Chase bets and best odds

The Melling Chase is the feature on Ladies Day and is packed with quality at the time of writing.

With 13 entries in Friday's race, it's Nicky Henderson's Jonbon that tops the betting at this stage.

Jonbon was one of many of Henderson's who missed Cheltenham after a tough week for the yard and should come here fighting fresh looking to take the day two feature.

He'll be stepping up in trip here but looks to be able to cope with that demand. He's challenged by reigning champion Pic D'Orhy of Paul Nicholls, who also skipped Cheltenham after beating L'Homme Presse in the Ascot Chase a month prior.

Protektorat is entered in this race and the Aintree Bowl 24 hours earlier but could come into this one instead and will have more than a fighting chance for Dan Skelton, who has been in superb form this campaign.

The Irish challenge sees Willie Mullins bring Easy Game, Gordon Elliott's Ash Tree Meadow and Conflated, with Joseph O'Brien bringing Banbridge.

But Envoi Allen and Jungle Boogie for Henry de Bromhead are two of the more likely Irish charges to put it up to those at the top of the betting.

Melling Chase prize money

The Melling Chase brings with it a cool £250,000 prize purse, putting it in the category of a top chase to win in the season.

The winner will scoop a cool £140,325 of that which is well worth the winning.

And for those towards the top of the trainer's championship, it's certainly not one you want to see slip by.

Melling Chase previous winners

Here's the last five winners of this big race from Aintree.

The Mildmay Novices Chase

Gavin Cromwell has the favourite for the opener of day two - at the time of writing anyway - with Inothewayurthinkin, who was mightily impressive when winning the Kim Muir at Cheltenham. But Chianti Classico was impressive winning the Ultima and rates a danger in the betting.

• Inothewayurthinkin 9/4
• Chianti Classico 7/2
• Iroko 7/2
• Giovinco 6/1
• Broadway Boy 7/1
• Heart Wood 8/1
• Blow Your Wad 16/1
• American Mike 20/1
• Kilbeg King 33/1
• Outlaw Peter 33/1
• The King of Ryhope 50/1

*Odds correct at time of writing, prior to declaration stage

William Hill Handicap Hurdle

It's a wide open affair prior to declarations with a real battle for favouritism, with Cheltenham hero Langer Dan involved for the shrewd Skelton team. Boombawn and Kateira are also entered at this stage for the same yard so all eyes will be on final decs there.

• First Street 10/1
• Boombawn 10/1
• Langer Dan 10/1
• Making Headway 10/1
• Nusret 12/1
• Springwell Bay 12/1
• Kateira 12/1
• Below The Radar 14/1
• Uncle Bert 14/1
• Serious Operator 14/1
• Masaccio 14/1
• Inthewaterside 14/1
• 16/1 bar

*Odds correct at time of writing, prior to declaration stage

Top Novices Hurdle

The leading Irish trainers look set to battle this one out, with the bookmakers struggling to split Willie Mullins' Mystical Power and Slade Steel from the Henry de Bromhead yard. The pair were separated by 1 and 1/2 lengths when Slade Steel won the Supreme at Cheltenham last month. Firefox from Gordon Elliott isn't far behind.

• Slade Steel 11/4
• Mystical Power 11/4
• Firefox 7/2
• Caldwell Potter 4/1
• Dysart Enos 7/1
• Brighterdaysahead 8/1
• Ile Atlantique 10/1
• Mistergif 12/1
• Asian Master 12/1
• Golden Ace 14/1
• 16/1 bar

*Odds correct at time of writing, prior to declaration stage

Topham Handicap Chase

Shakem Up'arry is the market leader for the Topham and is on a hat trick bid after back-to-back wins at Cheltenham. Ben Pauling's runner scrambled home in front to win the Plate last month for owner Harry Redknapp. This is a wide open betting heat.

• Shakem Up'arry 7/1
• Your Darling 8/1
• Bill Baxter 8/1
• Life In The Park 12/1
• Sail Away 12/1
• Arizona Cardinal 12/1
• James Du Berlaid 14/1
• Heltenham 16/1
• The Goffer 16/1
• Lounge Lizard 16/1
• 18/1 bar

*Odds correct at time of writing, prior to declaration stage

Sefton Novices Hurdle

Another market fancy for Ben Pauling here who has The Jukebox Man for Redknapp once again. This time, they were JUST beaten by Stellar Story - who lines up against them again here - in last month's Albert Bartlett and looking to add to their three wins from six starts under rules.

• The Jukebox Man 6/1
• Dancing City 6/1
• Stellar Story 7/1
• Readin Tommy Wrong 7/1
• Better Days Ahead 7/1
• Shanagh Bob 7/1
• Brighterdaysahead 12/1
• Lecky Watson 14/1
• Staffordshire Knot 14/1
• Peaky Boy 14/1
• 16/1 bar

*Odds correct at time of writing, prior to declaration stage

How to bet on Aintree Festival for Day 2

• Choose an online bookmaker form our list.
• Visit the site and sign up for an account.
• Verify your account and make a deposit.
• Head over to the horse racing section of the site.
• Select the race you wish to bet on.
• Look through the available markets and select your bet.

Don't miss other Aintree Festival previews

• Aintree Day One preview
• Aintree Day Three preview
• Aintree Grand National best bets

FAQ about Aintree Day 2

1. How can I use Aintree Day 2 previews to improve my chances of winning bets?

Picking a winning bet involves a lot of things; skill, a bit of luck but also research. Using previews can help you secure the best free bets out there on the market, ensuring you have more in your betting bank heading into the racing on day two. Not just that, you can notice trends in previous winners and recognise a stable's first choice jockey, giving an indication who the yard prefer if a trainer runs more than one horse.

2. What factors should I consider when choosing which horses to bet on for Day 2 races?

There are several key components to consider when making a selection at Aintree. Most importantly though is the horse's form and how they've been faring. Top Jockeys and trainers will also have a huge bearing in any race so keep an eye on any market movers. As well as that, it's important to consider other horses performances, track conditions, past results and trends in previous winners. Track preference is also key - how do they do running left-hand courses?