Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Aintree is preparing to host the prestigious Grand National meeting, with course officials dedicated to ensuring good-to-soft ground conditions for the opening day on Thursday. This commitment comes despite unusually scant rainfall in the weeks leading up to the renowned jump racing event.
Ground Preparations Underway at Aintree
March 2025 experienced record-breaking sunshine across much of the UK, necessitating proactive measures at Aintree. Track watering, initiated mid-March, is expected to continue overnight and throughout racing days. This continuous effort aims to maintain optimal and safe ground for participating horses, considering they will be taking flight and landing multiple times during each race.
Watering Regime Detailed
Jon Pullin, acting clerk of the course at Aintree, explained the ongoing ground management: “We commenced watering in the week of March 17th, and we have currently applied an average of 60-65mm of water across the course. Some areas have received slightly more, and others a bit less.”
Pullin added, “Watering is in progress again today, and with warm, breezy conditions anticipated to persist, possibly even slightly warmer tomorrow, our objective is to commence the meeting with ground officially described as good-to-soft. We will then reassess conditions after Thursday’s racing to determine any further actions required.”
Favorable Weather Conditions Aid Ground Staff
Ground staff at Aintree are benefiting from the consistently warm weather, which is expected to remain settled. This eliminates the immediate concern of rainfall disrupting the meticulously watered ground.
“The evapotranspiration rate has been around 2mm for the past few days,” Pullin noted. “This represents 2mm lost to the atmosphere through heat and wind. Additionally, the actively growing grass is also absorbing a significant amount of moisture. Managing the ground conditions is certainly challenging. However, the team has performed admirably over the past two weeks. Importantly, the absence of any rain threat, whether light or heavy showers, is advantageous. We are fully aware of the situation and are responding appropriately.”
Current Ground Description
The current ground condition at Aintree is officially described as good-to-soft on the Grand National course. This course will also host the Foxhunters’ Chase on Thursday and the Topham Handicap Chase on Friday. Meanwhile, the Mildmay course, venue for the majority of the meeting’s races, is reported as good-to-soft, with some sections described as good in places.
Aintree Thursday Race Preview & Tips
Aintree Hurdle: Constitution Hill’s Redemption Bid
Following an unexpected fall in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, Constitution Hill aims to reaffirm his status as the leading hurdler. Despite the Cheltenham setback, reports indicate strong training form, setting the stage for a compelling performance in the Grade One Aintree Hurdle on Thursday.
Trained by Nicky Henderson, the eight-year-old is known for his bold jumping style. His Cheltenham fall was considered by some as unfortunate, occurring when a hurdle moved mid-jump after being touched by a horse ahead.
Previously, Constitution Hill convincingly defeated Lossiemouth, a key competitor, in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. While Lossiemouth excels over Thursday’s two-and-a-half-mile distance, it is familiar territory for the favourite, highlighted by a prior victory in this same race two years ago.
Even factoring in a 7lb mares’ allowance for Lossiemouth, Constitution Hill (3.30) holds a substantial advantage of nearly a stone based on Timeform’s ratings, making a top price of around 5-6 seem justified.
Other Races to Watch
1.45 Aintree – Gidleigh Park
Aintree 1.45: Jango Baie, the Arkle victor, is expected to benefit from the return to two-and-a-half miles after a strong finish at Cheltenham. However, considering the recent exertion, Gidleigh Park presents a strong alternative. Trained by Harry Fry, Gidleigh Park secured an impressive win at Windsor in January against Caldwell Potter, who subsequently triumphed in a novice handicap chase at Cheltenham.
2.20 Aintree – Live Conti
Aintree 2.20: Puturhandstogether, another Cheltenham winner, seeks to replicate that success. However, Dan Skelton’s Live Conti, a comfortable winner at Wetherby in February, enters fresher and appears well-positioned to maintain his unbeaten record across three starts.
2.55 Aintree – Grey Dawning
Aintree 2.55: Grey Dawning demonstrated a return to peak form at Kelso after a less impressive run in the King George, displaying particularly impressive jumping under pressure. This resurgence could give him an edge over Spillane’s Tower, who also underperformed at Kempton and has since been rested.
4.05 Aintree – Lifetime Ambition
Aintree 4.05: The Foxhunters’ Chase over the National course features a typically large field, perhaps with slightly less depth behind the top contenders in the betting. While several horses have credible claims, including Willitgoahead, who finished third in the Cheltenham equivalent, a marginal preference leans towards Lifetime Ambition. He was showing strong form and jumping exceptionally well over this course in the 2023 National before an unfortunate incident with a loose horse.
4.40 Aintree – Petit Tonnerre
Aintree 4.40: Petit Tonnerre is expected to thrive with a fast pace, presenting a significant opportunity based on his Doncaster win in January and carrying only 5lb higher weight here.