AINTREE TIPS – DAY ONE: Constitution Hill can continue unbeaten run, while Ahoy Senor chases treble

AINTREE TIPS – DAY ONE: Superstar Constitution Hill can continue unbeaten run despite the longer trip in the Aintree Hurdle, while Ahoy Senor looks good to complete a Grand National meeting hat-trick

By Sam Turner For The Daily Mail

Published: 23:02 BST, 12 April 2023 | Updated: 23:10 BST, 12 April 2023

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Unbeaten superstar Constitution Hill tops the bill as Aintree’s three-day Grand National meeting begins on Thursday.

The meeting is set to start on predominantly good to soft ground. Following a wet day on Monday when over 10 millimetres of rain fell, Tuesday was much drier but it was rainy and windy on Wednesday.

The ground is reported to be good to soft on the hurdle and chase tracks, while conditions are described as good to soft, soft in places on the National course itself, with further rain anticipated.

Here, Sportsmail’s SAM TURNER picks out his best bets and main dangers for the TV races on Thursday.

Constitution Hill tops the bill as Aintree’s Grand National meeting begins on Thursday

ROBIN GOODFELLOW

1.45 Saint Roi

2.20 Zenta

2.55 Ahoy Senor

3.30 Constitution Hill

4.05 Latenightpass (nap)

4.40 Grey Diamond (nb)

5.15 Jolie Coeur Allen

GIMCRACK

1.45 Saint Roi

2.20 Zenta (nap)

2.55 Ahoy Senor (nb)

3.30 Constitution Hill

4.05 Winged Leader

4.40 Douglas Talking

5.15 Ici La Reine

2.20

ZENTA travelled like a dream in the Triumph Hurdle before giving second best to winner Lossiemouth. She can go one better if those exertions have not left their mark.

MAIN DANGER: NUSRET will be fresher than most having missed Cheltenham and he did extremely well to score at Kempton last time when hampered in the run-in.

2.55

AHOY SENOR crashed out of the Gold Cup before push came to shove and is reported to have schooled well at home as he bids to win for the third successive year at this meeting.

MAIN DANGER: CONFLATED was runner-up in this contest 12 months ago and performed with credit in the Gold Cup so looks likely to be involved once more.

3.30

CONSTITUTION HILL is one of the premier hurdlers of recent times and it is difficult to envisage him being beaten, even over this longer trip.

MAIN DANGER: EPATANTE took full advantage of Zanahiyr’s final hurdle fall to land this race 12 months ago and should prove the stiffest competition to her stablemate.

4.05

LATENIGHTPASS ran out an impressive winner of last year’s renewal of this event and he looks to have an excellent chance of defending his crown.

MAIN DANGER: BENNYS KING enjoys soft ground and stays three miles well so should be suited by the rigours of this assignment following his smooth Fakenham success.