Friday ITV Racing Tips: Best free bets for the Grand National Festival at Aintree on April 4

Another day, another four Grade 1 races from Aintree, which include the Mildmay Novices' Chase (1345), TrustATrader Novices' Hurdle (1455), the Melling Chase (1530) and the Sefton Novices' Hurdle (1440).

There's two other Grade 3s being shown among six races from ITV this Friday afternoon.

Let's begin with a quick run through of our ITV tips, with the reasons why we've picked them further down the page.

If you fancy a punt or two, check out the Planet Sport race centre which will show you all the live odds, racecards and results.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's latest update)

 

Friday's Aintree ITV tips:

13:45 (Aintree) Handstands

14:20 (Aintree) Wade Out

14:55 (Aintree) Romeo Coolio

15:30 (Aintree) Jonbon

16:05 (Aintree) Blue Lord

16:40 (Aintree) Mister Meggit

 

13:45 (Aintree) Handstands

This was won by Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin twelve months ago. Handstands has a long way to go to get to that level however he's already a G1 winner over fences following his narrow success in the Scilly Isles Novices Chase at Sandown.

The runner-up has since gone on to boost form scoring the G1 Arkle at Cheltenham last month and is well-fancied to follow up in the Mildmay Novices' Chase.

Expensive purchase Caldwell Potter produced his best fences performance running out a wide-margin winner of a G2 Cheltenham Festival handicap last time. Could have more to offer.

Dancing City won the Sefton Novices Hurdle at this meeting last year and may bounce back from a disappointing showing in the G1 Brown Advisory Novices Chase.

Stellar Story is not completely ruled out.

 

14:20 (Aintree) Wade Out

The Olly Murphy-trained Wade Out defied a big penalty in a novices hurdle at Wetherby and could be suited by this track on handicap debut in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.

It would be foolish to ignore Kopeck De Mee despite his disappointing debutante effort at Cheltenham last month. Looked progressive winning in France prior and can easily rediscover best for Willie Mullins.

Nicky Henderson trains Impose Toi who posted an excellent effort when runner-up in first-time cheekpieces tackling a valuable handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last month. Consider once more.

Steel Ally might go well on the back of his second-place finish in the G2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.

Be Aware remains of interest eased slightly in trip maintaining an unexposed profile.

 

14:55 (Aintree) Romeo Coolio

Romeo Coolio represents the Gordon Elliott yard who has not been in the best form of late.

Holds outstanding claims looking good winning the G1 Future Champions at Leopardstown in December.

Sets the standard in the Trustatrader Top Novices' Hurdle following his third place in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Tripoli Flyer won a G2 jumpers flat at this meeting last year. Respect following his smooth success in the G2 Dovecote at Kempton last month.

Salvator Mundi might have more to offer. Looks interesting with the hood removed after his fifth-placed finish behind the main selection at Cheltenham in latest.

Ben Pauling trains talented mare Diva Luna. Likely thereabouts following her solid third in the G2 Mares Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham.

 

15:30 (Aintree) Jonbon

The Cheltenham curse continued for Jonbon when he was second at short odds in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last time making a shuddering mistake after suffering trouble at the start.

Nicky Henderson's star can return to winning ways and prove successful defending his crown in the Melling Chase.

El Fabiolo looked a superstar winning his first six starts tackling fences. Needs to prove he retains that ability after a shock defeat when second in the G2 Webster Cup Chase at Navan last month.

Racing for trainer Willie Mullins and could prove the main danger if building on that. Forecast good ground is a slight concern for Protektorat although it’s tough to ignore this former course winner who finished a respectable fourth tackling the trip in the G1 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

 

16:05 (Aintree) Blue Lord

An interesting renewal of the Topham Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences. Willie Mullins has won the contest three times and looks to hold a strong hand here.

Blue Lord is the pick of Paul Townend and warrants thought having shaped nicely when third in the G1 Ascot Chase last month.

This three-time G1 winner in 2022 is not the force of old however warrants interest off this mark making handicap debut.

Stablemate James Du Berlais was second in this twelve months ago and could go well following an encouraging fifth-place finish in latest attempting a competitive handicap chase at Leopardstown.

Amirite ran well off this mark at Sandown last April. Could bounce back with a big run after a below par effort hurdling at Thurles.

Bad has been thriving tackling fences wearing blinkers and cannot be ignored after beating a course specialist at Kempton last time.

 

16:40 (Aintree) Mister Meggit

Interestingly connections of Mister Meggit have opted to place him straight into Grade 1 company following his facile hurdling debut success here in November.

Trained by Jonjo O’Neill and could have what it takes to handle his rise in grade in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle.

Califet En Vol posted an excellent second behind a dual G1 winner at Newbury in November before going one spot better attempting the Listed Sidney Banks Novices Hurdle at Huntingdon.

Might have more to give now stepping up further in trip and holds major form claims racing for trainer Nicky Henderson.

Jacob's Ladder added to his hurdling record providing a battling success in the G3 Memorial Novice Hurdle at Naas during February. Warrants thought representing top Irish yard.

Battle Born Lad is not straightforward. Clearly has plenty of talent beating a G1 runner-up on hurdling debut at Hexham and would be dangerous if given an easy lead.

 

READ MORE: Nap of the Day - Today’s best free horse racing tips

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