Martin Dixon's Grand National day tips: "I rate him a strong each-way pick"
By Martin Dixon
Last Updated: Fri 10 Apr 2026
Racing TV form expert Martin Dixon will be on duty trackside on Randox Grand National day - but which horses does he hope to be cheering home?
Racing TV encourages responsible gambling - to find out more click here to head to our dedicated website page.
1.55 Aintree: Montemares (Each way) (Nap)
Martin Dixon
Finished: 5thSP: 5/1
Given that he was a very well-backed winner on his racecourse debut at Hereford in November I suspect Montemares has always been very highly regarded by Tom Lacey and he's made great strides in his short career to date, winning three of his four starts.
Having looked so green on that first start only five months ago I was seriously impressed by how much more professional he looked returning from a short break at Kelso in February, powering through the race and landing that Grade Two contest with real authority.
This is a further step up in grade but I like the fact that, unlike many of his rivals here, he missed Cheltenham and has been trained to prime at this meeting and I think there's a lot more improvement to come. He's 15/2 at the time of writing and I rate him a very strong each-way bet.
2.30 Aintree: Leave of Absence (Each Way)
Martin Dixon
Finished: 9thSP: 11/1
Anthony Honeyball trained Sam Brown to win this race in 2022 and I think his Leave of Absence has very solid each way claims at 14/1.
He's been extremely consistent over fences - his only disappointment came on unsuitably testing ground - and conditions should be perfect for him here.
There's no doubt he's competitively handicapped as he's off the same mark as when beaten just a head at Ascot in December and I thought he ran an eye-catching race in the Ultima last time when staying on into fifth from a long way back. Sam Twiston-Davies takes over and I'd expect a more positive ride than last time.
4.00 Aintree: Monty's Star & Oscars Brother
Martin Dixon
Finished: 10thSP: 14/1
Martin Dixon
Finished: UR SP: 14/1
Obviously the Grand National is a vastly competitive race to have a punt on so I think I can afford two bites of the cherry! Good luck with whatever you pick in this year's race but I'm on Monty's Star, who I think is nicely weighted on his keeping-on fifth in the Savills earlier this season.
He's a very honest, likeable type and I thought that day he shaped as if he's crying out for this extreme stamina test, whilst in the Irish Gold Cup last time he went with lots of zest for a long way at a time of year when the De Bromhead horses weren't firing.
Oscars Brother is one of the really progressive types in the line up having climbed the chasing ranks swiftly in his novice season over fences. He's an assured jumper and a very strong stayer, another that I'm hopeful will improve again for this extreme trip.
More Randox Grand National tips:
Randox Grand National free-to-play predictor game!
ENTER BELOW for your chance to win a 50-inch TV, Racing TV merchandise bundle and 1-year Racing TV membership. Click here for more details.
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with BallyBetT&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New members only, must opt in. Deposit & bet min. £10 within 30 days at min. 1/2 odds, excl. odds & profit boost. Free Bets: 3 x £10 tokens (odds & bet leg restrictions apply), non-withdrawable, issued on settlement, valid 30 days, stake not returned. T&Cs: www.ballycasino.co.uk/terms. Play Responsibly. 18+ GambleAware
Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets with BetwayT&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New customers only. Place a min £10 pre-event bet at min odds of 2.0. £40 worth of Free Bet Tokens awarded on bet settlement. 4 x £10 each with betting restrictions. 7 day expiry. Debit Card deposits only (exclusions apply). Bet The Responsible Way Full Terms apply. 18+ GambleAware
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets with 7betT&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New GB customers only | First deposit £10+ with applicable bonus code | Bet £10+ to get 3 × £10 Bonus Bets | Credited in stages | Restrictions apply | Each Bonus Bet expires 7 days after crediting | Stake not returned | Full T&Cs apply| 18+ GambleAware
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with KwiffT&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware
Our BEST offer price! Join Racing TV now!
Related posts
Five horses to watch at Cheltenham this week
Dave Nevison's Wednesday tips at Kempton: "he looks very well in"
Saturday ante-post tips: brace of 20-1 chances among five bets
Philip Hobbs and Johnson White 2026-27 Jumps season stable tour
Five changes made at Cheltenham ahead of the 2026-27 season
Todays top offer
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&C's apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Claim Now
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware
Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply
Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved