Being born and bred in Cheltenham, it’s pretty easy to work out that Prestbury Park is one of most favourite places on earth, and coming in a very close second is The Aintree Festival. I’ve had some great days on Liverpool’s version of the hallowed turf. Again, there’s a certain magic that lingers over that particular part of Merseyside.
The Aintree Festival: Cathryn Fry’s Grand National 2025 Tips – Day 1
The William Hill Aintree Hurdle lost a key contender on Monday as Gordon Elliott confirmed that Brighterdaysahead will not take on Constitution Hill. However, the race remains a must-watch spectacle, with Willie Mullins announcing that Lossiemouth is set to run, ensuring a thrilling showdown on Thursday.
The Aintree Festival: The Aintree Hurdle
The prestigious £250,000 Grade 1 event, run over two and a half miles, was originally set to feature an exciting three-way clash between Constitution Hill, Lossiemouth, and Brighterdaysahead from an elite field of 13 entries. However, Brighterdaysahead has been withdrawn and will instead be aimed at the Punchestown Festival.
Brighterdaysahead, who has twice beaten State Man in Grade 1 races this season, struggled in the Champion Hurdle, finishing fourth behind surprise winner Golden Ace after reportedly tweaking something early in the race. Elliott believes the 23-day turnaround is too tight for her to return to peak condition.
“Aintree comes a bit too soon for her,” Elliott explained. “She wasn’t herself in the Champion Hurdle—I could tell right away—so it wouldn’t be right to send her over. She’s still a young mare with a big future, so we‘ll get her ready for Punchestown instead. She’ll either go for the Champion Hurdle or the Mares’ Hurdle there.”
With Brighterdaysahead ruled out, Elliott may instead run Wodhooh, an unbeaten hurdler who extended her winning streak to seven with a dominant victory in the Martin Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival. Now rated 151, she remains under strong consideration for Aintree. We started following Wodhooh when she had an official rating of 94, writing: “Wodhooh is a very smart mare who keeps improving,” Elliott said. “She’s in great form since Cheltenham, and the Aintree Hurdle is definitely an option for her.”
The Aintree Festival: Love Lossiemouth
Last year’s Aintree Hurdle produced a thrilling finish, with Impaire Et Passe edging out Bob Olinger and Langer Dan. Mullins will hope to replicate that success with Lossiemouth, who delivered a stunning victory in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and now aims to become his third winner of this race.
Speaking of Impaire Et Pass, I fancy him to overturn Arkle winner Jango Baie in the 1:45, Grade 1 Manifesto Chase. The ground is going to be very lively but that won’t inconvenience him. I’m pretty sure they will have worked on his jumping since Leopardstown. They skipped Cheltenham, to come her and he runs in first time pieces.
Am I backing Lossiemouth? You can bet your life that I am! An imperious mare, at her best trip. I just feel Constitution Hill’s jumping has got worse as he’s got older. If you notice, it’s when the pace is really on. Mid race at the Festival found him out, they’re always going a stride faster in March and he took his eye off the ball.
The Aintree Festival: Naturally Nimble
Others that take my eye on day one are: Naturally Nimble (2:20), having been gutted he missed Cheltenham, I have to be with him here. He does have to face his stablemate Puturhandstogether who won the Fred Winter for us at the Festival. However, I think there is a lot more in Naturally Nimble’s locker, that has yet to be unveiled.
The Aintree Festival: Seo Linn
Remember way back at the start of the season we highlighted Seo Linn as one to follow? Primarily recognised for his expertise on the Flat, Paddy Twomey sends Seo Linn to this Grade 2 contest (5:15). His runner has claimed victory in two of her four bumper outings and shapes as an exciting prospect.
She impressed when winning a Ballinrobe bumper last August, cruising home comfortably, with her jockey even easing her down in the final strides. That performance hinted at plenty more to come, and she confirmed that promise two starts later at Cheltenham, delivering a commanding five-length victory in a Listed mares’ race where she was always in control.
The strength of that form has since been reinforced, with the runner-up going on to land a Grade 2 over hurdles and the third-place finisher also finding success. While a slight step forward may be needed in this company, she has every right to progress further. As a five-year-old with clear talent and upside, she looks a leading contender in this field. Stay tuned for day two’s selections which will be with you on Thursday. Good luck and enjoy Aintree.
By Cathryn Fry
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