Grand National Festival tips: Aintree- Matt Chapman’s top betting preview for racing on ITV1 this Friday, April 13

TWENTY four hours to go people until the 2018 Grand National. Oh yes.

But what we need is money in the kitty, and Friday's action gives us the chance to get a few quid on side before we go National crazy Saturday.

2

ITV again show all the best action at Aintree on Friday, and the first race broadcast is the 2.20pm, the Grade 1 Top Novices' Chase over an extended 2m.

There's a massive field for a Grade 1, but easily the most exciting horse in it is GLOBAL CITIZEN, who looked an absolute monster at Kempton last time. He missed Cheltenham, but can take this pot for Ben Pauling.

The 2.50pm is the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase over nearly 3m1f. Again a decent sized field, and I like the look of ELEGANT ESCAPE for Colin Tizzard.

The trainer has a great record at this fixture, and the RSA third has cheekpieces first time which might bring out some improvement.

2

Next up is the Grade 1 Melling Chase over nearly 2m4f at 3.25pm. Chance of an upset here with Min not certain to enjoy the trip (should win if he does) and the performance of Balko des Flos in the Ryanair at the Festival looking too good to be true.

I'll take a chance with CLOUDY DREAM, who has run over distances too far for most of the season but has the chance to finally shine over a trip he will enjoy for Ruth Jefferson.

LATEST IN HORSE RACING

FIVER FLUTTER

This longshot showed promise at Worcester and can hit the frame again

MONEYBALL

Millionaire pledges to build replica of Ascot racecourse on 800-acre farm

'ED OFF

Chamberlin 'wanted Match Of The Day job' after 'tearful' day at Cheltenham

TROLL CITY

'Absolute rubbish' - punters outraged as City Of Troy crowned Horse Of The Year

We are over the National fences at 4.05pm with the Topham Handicap over an extended 2m5f, and I'll have a few quid on the old boy BALLYALTON for Ian Williams.

He bounced back to form at Cheltenham last time when fourth behind The Storyteller and has been kept on a decent mark of 138. He's gone over the big fences before.

Matt Chapman's TV tips for Aintree

2.20 Aintree - Global Citizen: 'Easily the most exciting horse in field'

2.50 Aintree - Elegant Escape: 'Colin Tizzard's RSA third has first time cheekpieces which could bring out some improvement'

3.25 Aintree - Cloudy Dream: 'Finally has the chance to shine over the right trip'

4.05 Aintree - Ballyalton: 'Bounced back to form at Chetenham and he's been kept on a decent mark'

4.40 Aintree - OK Corral: 'Ran a cracker in the Albert Bartlett and will be hard to keep out of the frame'

Finally ITV show the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle over an extended 3m at 4.40pm. OK CORRAL is not the highest rated horse in the field but he ran a cracker to finish second in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson's hope has Barry Geraghty on top and will be hard to keep out the frame.

So on the eve of the Grand National best of luck and hope for Yeeehaaas. You Betcha!