Dave Nevison's Aintree tips: three selections on Day One
By Dave Nevison
Last Updated: Wed 8 Apr 2026
Top tipster Dave Nevison shares his three best bets on a top-quality opening day of action at Aintree's Randox Grand National Festival. Sign up to Racing TV to watch every race from the meeting live and exclusive.
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1.45 Aintree: Maestro Conti
I feel Maestro Conti might just confirm form with the re-opposing runners from the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Dan Skelton’s charge made a very big impression after coming over from France and won significant events either side of Christmas at Kempton and Cheltenham. He travelled best throughout in the Triumph and just got outpointed up the hill by the Mullins-trained winner.
He has only a short head in hand of Minella Study, but looks the stronger stayer to me and he should hold Selma De Vary who might lack tactical speed at this level.
I can imagine Harry Skelton will want to hold on to Maestro Conti as long as possible and, if he is going well between the last two hurdles, I think the pair will be tough to beat.
3.30 Aintree: Unexpected Party
Unexpected Party missed the Cheltenham Foxhunters' and clearly has had this race in mind after two comfortable wins in relatively minor events. The switch to Hunter Chases has given this 11-year-old a lease of life that had expired due to his high handicap rating.
He is up against some younger rivals here, but he looks to have retained all his ability and, given he has run very well in well-contested handicaps during his career, he looks a real contender. Heidi Palin has been on board for his two wins this season.
4.40 Aintree: Petit Tonnerre
The only handicap on what is a great opening day at Aintree and Paul Nicholls has managed to get Sans Bruit down to just 3lb higher than last time. He has won this for the past two years.
Dan Skelton runs Palamon, who landed a big gamble last time out under a 7lb penalty. I will definitely be including him in my calculations, but with extra places in mind, I am going with Petit Tonnerre who is one of five runners carrying the McManus green and gold.
The O’Neills had a very good Cheltenham and their runners have generally been going well since. I am happy to put Petit Tonnerre’s latest efforts down as prep races for a spring campaign.
The eight-year-old ran without headgear at Chepstow last time and finished last, but wasn’t knocked about after weakening in the last half a mile. Previously to that, he looked rusty after a break at Kempton over a half mile longer trip.
Although he disappointed in this race last year when one of the market leaders, he has run well over fences at Aintree in the past and also finished runner-up off a much higher mark over hurdles, so I don’t believe the track holds any fears for him.
It is definitely a hopeful rather than a confident bet, but at massive odds and with five places on offer with some firms, I feel it is a chance worth taking.
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