talkSPORT have you covered with free horse racing tips and free bets on Thursday’s fixtures for the Grand National Festival at Aintree.
Tom Lunn has gone through the cards, form, going and much more to help guide your horse racing betting choices.
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Thursday horse racing tips
- AINTREE
1.45: Gidleigh Park 6/1 Each-way (1pt)
2.20: Puturhandstogether 3/1 (1pt)
2.55: Stage Star 7/1 Each-way (1pt)
3.30: Constitution Hill 4/6 (3pts)
4.05: Willitgoahead 11/2 each-way (1pt)
4.40: Dr T J Eckleburg & Gunsight Ridge each-way (1pt each)
5.15: Charisma Cat 13/2 each-way (1pt)
Gidleigh Park
Lots to like about this horse who has only lost twice under rules once pulling up behind Iberico Lord on chase debut and the other when not quite himself at Cheltenham Festival placing sixth behind Stellar Story in the Albert Bartlett in 2024.
There’s more to come from him though and after beating Caldwell Potter by four lengths he’s set to be an even better chaser and likely underestimated against some with more experience.
Ground could be a concern but it’s still good to soft which will help just as long as it’s not too firm by the looks of his previous race withdrawals.
Puturhandstogether
Won at Cheltenham Festival last month taking the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle comfortably under Mark Walsh for trainer Joseph Patrick O’Brien, where the owner JP McManus had a fantastic week.
He might have a great Aintree too with a plethora of chances throughout the three days.
This four-year-old looked commanding and took to the course very well.
He’s now won twice from four hurdle starts and the latest of course was a huge step up suggesting this race could be a nice price for him despite being favourite.
Stage Star
This horse is quite underestimated which is fair in this contest up against some tough rivals.
However, he’s shown he’s right up there with his standard very much improved when taking on L’Homme Presse at Cheltenham in January.
The step up to 3m1f was a positive one and when a horse is unexposed over a distance and performed remarkably well, it needs to be noted.
He was 13/2 for that race yet it looked like an even contest against L’Homme Presse, the more experience horse over the distance.
Stage Star likes to press on and set the pace and Harry Cobden can also get a lot more out of him on the run-in as he enjoys being in front which is what you want in a racehorse.
Constitution Hill
Hard to not back this superstar at this price even if he did fall last month.
It’s also very encouraging to hear that the yard are very happy with his work and that he’s come out from Cheltenham better than expected in a shorter time frame to quickly reappear.
All that says is that he’s going to be raring to go and shouldn’t disappoint those who reback him.
He’s still never lost a race he’s finished under rules and he should continue to prove his apparent top ability in this fantastic Aintree Hurdle renewal.
Willitgoahead
A comfortable bet each-way all things considered as he’s placed in the top three in each of his last six races.
He was only three lengths off of the winner at Cheltenham Festival’s Hunter Chase last month and clearly has a lot of potential back in action on just his second start for Gordon Elliott.
Dr T J Eckleburg & Gunsight Ridge
Dr T J Eckleburg is still only seven yet has shown some great form already in amongst these big races, with a huge amount of experience – now 19 chase starts to his name.
From that he’s placed in the top three 14 times and can be amongst the most consistent in this contest.
He certainly prefers a bit of cut in the ground but if he is running on the day then there’s enough of a sign to back.
He was just half a length behind Gunsight Ridge at Sandown in February when it was heavy ground, before going on to win by a short head ahead of Javert Allen.
This is the highest he’s been in the ratings but ought to continue to show what he’s capable of despite the rise in the weights.
He and Gunsight Ridge have the added bonus of being fresher than those coming straight from Cheltenham Festival.
Gunsight Ridge comes into this with both his jockey and yard in tremendous form.
He’s quite versatile ground-wise though has mostly been seen on soft.
After two non-finishes late in 2024 (post wind-op) he ran unexpectedly well to win at Sandown, but was only upped 3lb.
I think there’s more to come from this horse who’s only finished one race since the end of last season when winning at Perth in April.
Charisma Cat
Impressed with her win at Sandown and eventually got down to business to win nicely ahead of Dream Shadow.
The mare has now won three from four, only placing a neck second on her only failed attempt at Market Rasen.
Sets a high standard amongst these unbeaten mares for a fascinating bumper.
Tom Lunn’s Horse Racing Profit & Loss
- March 2025: +41.95pts
- From May ’24: +221.40pts
- From July ’23: +360.87pts
All odds correct at time of writing
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