Paddy Brennan's Aintree Tips - Friday Day Two
After joining the Free Bets team for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, multiple Grade 1-winning jockey Paddy Brennan is back with his free Aintree Day 2 tips and expert analysis.
We have also got some of the best and latest Grand National betting offers on the market ahead of the Festival.
Paddy Brennan's Aintree Day 2 Tips
Check out Paddy's tips for Day 2 of the Grand National Festival, including a 3/1 Nap selection.
1:45pm Aintree - The Changing Man (Each-Way)
Handstand's form is rock solid, having beaten subsequent Arkle-winner Jango Baie last time out in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase.
However, at the prices, I like the Joe Tizzard-trained THE CHANGING MAN (Each-Way).
He has solid handicap experience and was unlucky to come up against a well-handicapped winner at Cheltenham last month when placing 2nd in the Ultima.
His experience will come to the fore here, and he looks an excellent each-way bet to give Handstands plenty to think about.
Recommendation: The Changing Man (Each-Way) - 12/1 with BoyleSports (3 places)
2:20pm Aintree - Steel Ally (Each-Way)
It's a 22-runner handicap hurdle for the day's second race, and I think it's unbelievable that Kopeck De Mee is as low as 5/1 to land this.
He didn't jump at all well at Cheltenham - he looked lost, and I can't see how they would have fixed that this quickly.
STEEL ALLY (Each-Way) is a horse I really like, and I think this race has potentially been the plan for Sam Thomas and connections with Dylan Johnston taking off a valuable 3lbs.
Fergal saddles Tintintin in the race - he ran well in the Imperial Cup, and this trip step should also suit him.
Recommendation: Steel Ally - 14/1 with BetGoodwin (5 places)
2:55pm Aintree - Tripoli Flyer (Nap)
Obviously, Romeo Coolio, on his Cheltenham form, will be very hard to beat, however, my bet of the entire meeting is TRIPOLI FLYER (Nap).
He's got better and better all season, and he'll be at his very best here - he'll need to be, but he looks primed for a huge run.
He bypassed Cheltenham, which was the right decision, as he's proven around Aintree already.
We just got beat in the Bumper last year when I got there a bit too soon - it was definitely a race that got away, and we should have won.
He's got a huge engine and hasn't stopped improving - he'll be very hard to beat.
Recommendation: Tripoli Flyer (Nap) - 3/1 with bet365
3:30pm Aintree - Jonbon
The Melling Chase is the feature race of the day, and I can't look past JONBON in this one.
Yes, he made a bad error in the Champion Chase, but he still ran a huge race to grab 2nd spot - he will be very hard to beat around here.
He landed this race in fine style last year, and I expect more of the same this time around.
Recommendation: Jonbon - 4/7 with William Hill
4:05pm Aintree - Bad (Each-Way) & Marble Sands (Each-Way)
The Topham next, and a horse I love runs in this one for trainer Ben Pauling BAD (Each-Way).
He's not very big, but he's been a revelation since he's got blinkers on and looks to have a ton of ability - if he takes to the National fences, he has a massive chance.
I also like MARBLE SANDS (Each-Way) for David Killahena & Graeme McPherson.
He's a horse I've ridden in the past, and he looks overpriced in this race with the yard in such great form, having saddled six winners from their last eight runners.
Recommendations: Bad (Each-Way) - 12/1 with William Hill (6 places) & Marble Sands (Each-Way) - 18/1 with BetGoodwin (6 places)
4:40pm Aintree - Mister Meggit
The Sefton Novices' is a race I was lucky enough to win in the past, and this race has been the long-term target for the Jonjo & A J O'Neill-trained MISTER MEGGIT.
Last year, he was sent off as the favourite for the bumper here but stumbled at a vital stage.
However, he looked potentially high-class when making a winning debut over hurdles over 2m 4f around here in November.
Connections have kept him fresh for this, and I really fancy his chances.
Recommendation: Mister Meggit - 4/1 with Unibet
5:15pm Aintree - Celtic Dino & Jack Hyde (Each-Way)
I have my first-ever Festival runner in the finale on Thursday with JACK HYDE (Each-Way), and he's a horse I absolutely love.
Yes, he may lack a little experience, but he's been excellent this season, and he's crept into this race with just 10 stone 3lbs, plus Jack Hogan claims 3lbs.
He's got a featherweight, and if he gets into a nice rhythm, he's got a massive chance.
At the top of the market, CELTIC DINO for Sam Thomas looks to have an excellent chance on handicap debut - he caught my eye when behind Tripoli Flyer last time out.
Recommendations: Celtic Dino - 7/1 with bet365 & Jack Hyde (Each-Way) - 11/1 with bet365 (5 places)
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