Derek Fox's Aintree Ladies' Day Tips & Festival Preview
Derek Fox is a two-time Grand National-winning jockey, riding One For Arthur (2017) and Corach Rambler (2023) to victory for trainer Lucinda Russell.
He spoke exclusively to FreeBets.com, the home of the best Grand National free bets, ahead of Ladies' Day at the 2026 Aintree Festival.
His Own Rides on Friday
You've got two rides on Friday — talk us through them.
Both have probably been more of a short-term plan to come to Aintree rather than something we set out for at the start of the season. Jet2Vegas is in the opener — a two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle. He had a wind issue earlier in the year which set him back, but he went to Hereford last time and won by 13 lengths. He's a very slick hurdler and two and a half miles around Aintree is probably his best trip. In a big field of 22, you want to get a good position early and hopefully let the race settle. I'd ideally be prominent if I can get away with it. The ground looking like good suits him as well, so there's a few things in his favour. He's 33 to 1 but he could have improved from his last run, and I think he might be a bit of value.
Then later in the day I've got Primoz in the Topham Chase. He's a big, tall, well-made horse and I think the big Aintree fences could really bring the best out of him. Like Jet2Vegas, he went to Hereford and won by 13 lengths, the step up in trip really helped him. He's off bottom weight and I think the track, trip and good ground will all suit. Fingers crossed if he's jumping well I can get up into a nice position and see how we go from there.
Friday's Grade Ones
The William Hill Mildmay Novices' Chase — is there one that stands out?
It's a competitive race. I'd keep an eye on Jordans Cross, he beat me on a horse called Spade Step around there first time over fences, and I've always liked him since. He travels nicely, jumps well and he handles the track. He didn't run his best last time out, but I think he could bounce back and at 12/1 I think he's a bit of value. Three miles one should suit him fine, I don't think the step up in trip will be any problem on this flat track on good ground.
Gold Dancer is obviously one to respect. Willie Mullins is a magician in these races and he's always hard to beat. But if I was going for one to go against the favourite, Jordans Cross would be my pick.
The Top Novices' Hurdle
It's hard to look past Sober Glory. He ran a massive race in the Supreme at Cheltenham. He got into a bit of a three-way scrimmage after the last which didn't help him, but he's 8/13 for a reason. He deserves to be very short and he's going to take a lot of beating. There's nothing in the rest of the field that I'd pick out with any confidence to turn him over.
The JCB Melling Chase
Heart Wood is obviously the one to beat. He comes here off the back of winning the Ryanair at Cheltenham and he's clearly in great form. But the horse I'd love to see win is Grey Dawning for the Skeltons. He's just a horse I've always loved watching — a great jumper, very enjoyable to watch. I don't think Cheltenham is necessarily his best track, and dropping back to two and a half miles here I think could suit him really well. If there's one to give Heart Wood a race, it's Grey Dawning, and I'd love to see him win for the Skelton team.
The Sefton Novices' Hurdle
Johnny's Jury is going to be hard to beat. I thought Gavin Sheehan gave him a magnificent ride in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham — he was dropped right in, they went a good gallop, and he was produced beautifully at the end. He probably wants a strong pace to be at his best, and as long as there's a good gallop on, he should be fine. He's the one I'd go with.
No Drama This End is interesting, Paul Nicholls is very clever and a step up in trip could suit him. He's a Walk In The Park horse and probably the type that'll do even better over fences next year. But if you're pressing me, Johnny's Jury is my selection.
