Grand National 2026 Festival Day 2 tips

Unexpected Party ran well, but had to settle for fourth.

His jumping was the greatest, but in hindsight, there was only ever going to be one winner. The manner in which the winner travelled through his race at Cheltenham and the way he won yesterday's race on the bridle was impressive. Some horse for the Foxhunter scene.

Sans Bruit also ran well, but had to settle for a place. He jumped a couple in poor fashion towards the end, but that was due to him being tired. He got swallowed up late, and wouldn't have won, even if he had jumped them well.

Indeevar Bleu 9/2 (1pt) – Aintree 1.45

On paper, this looks like a tough race. It's a big field handicap at one of the main festivals, but I don't think it's that strong. The one I like is a previous selection of mine, Indeevar Bleu.

Indeevar Bleu was an impressive course and distance winner last time out and has been kept fresh for a crack at this race. His run last time out was the first time he was stepped up in trip, and it suited him extremely well. The handicapper has hiked him up in the weights for his win, and that makes life more difficult, but I think he can go in again.

The form of his runs from earlier in the season looks like strong pieces of form. Indemnity has since shown his ability (finally) by winning at Plumpton in a Class 2 earlier in the week. Tutti Quanti has also won a Grade 3 by over ten lengths.

There are a few interesting runners in this race that do have my attention. Hot Fuss is one, and the other is the stable debut runner for Dan Skelton, ridden by Harry. It's interesting that Harry has opted for the ride on him over Favoir, who we all know about.

Gidleigh Park 6/1 (1pt) – Aintree 3.30

If the same Heart Wood turns up that won the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival, then the others will be in trouble. The main issue for me in terms of following him for this race is that his best runs have come at Cheltenham, and the race did fall apart at Cheltenham.

Apart from Heart Wood, this isn't a particularly strong race, which might sound harsh. I see Grey Dawning like Protektorat, where he could pop up in a weak-ish Grade 1, like this, but his jumping is a big issue. Solness is one who could attract attention, but away from Leopardstown, he looks horrible. All of which has led me to give Gidleigh Park a chance.

He is clearly a very fragile horse, as we rarely see him more than a couple of times a season, but he has ability. The run at this venue last year, behind Impaire Et Passe and ahead of Jango Baie, looks solid. The pair of those horses was about to fight out a great race yesterday, but Impaire made a very bad mistake. I think Impaire Et Passe is very good at Aintree, so I rate that as solid form.

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