Racing Ahead’s resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for Day 2 of the 2026 Grand National Festival.
2.20 – Regents to Stroll to victory in Mildmay Chase
I think REGENTS STROLL is just about one of my bets of the week in the Mildmay Novice Chase today.
A classy novice hurdler last season, he had a relatively quiet season over fences prior to Cheltenham, where connections were hoping to protect his handicap mark for the Jack Richards at Cheltenham.
The plan almost paid off as he finished a solid third in what looked a good renewal, but what was evident was his need for 3 miles as he looked flat to the boards all the way.
He jumped and galloped all the way around and stuck on to his task nicely, which would suggest this 3 mile test around here would be right up his street.
Looking at his rivals, I don’t think there is much to be afraid of and 5/1 looks more than fair.
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4.05 – Mahons bidding for Glory in the Topham
The Topham is always one of the best handicaps of the season and this year’s edition looks no different.
Plenty in with a chance, and although you couldn’t be too confident on anything, I am quite sweet on MAHONS GLORY here.
Having had a couple of spins around this unique course, he has shown that he does have a liking for the test this presents.
A bold jumper who likes to go from the front, he ticks plenty of boxes, and at a double-figure price of 18/1, I think he has a great chance of rewarding each way backers today.
4.40 – Good ground No Dramas for Nicholls classy novice?
I would have been a lot sweeter on NO DRAMAS THIS END had Paul Nicholls not put a dampener on expectations earlier in the week when he spoke about the ground being too quick.
It looks as if he will allow him to take his chance still, though, and the market is slowly coming back for him after allowing an initial drift.
Clearly, he is the class angle of the race despite not getting the rub of the green at Cheltenham, and I think the slightly calmer waters of the Sefton will see him in a much better light and allow him to show his true ability.
Sam Twiston-Davies takes over the steering and I am quietly confident that is all he will need to do.
5.15 – Easy traveller could be the Star in the finale
I’m having a couple of darts in the lucky last with my main hope being STAR OF GUITING, who owes me nothing this season.
A reformed character under the care of Ewan Whillans, he has shown plenty of ability this season, winning twice at Musselburgh whilst also running solid races elsewhere.
He loves to travel into the race off a strong pace, so this race should be right up his street, and although his tame finish was a slight concern last time, I do know connections have had this race in mind for some time, so read into that what you will.
At 25/1, he looks a great each way bet. Slightly shorter in the market is WANDERING EGO, who I think has been handicapped very leniently coming into this.
He went into my notebook at Stratford at the start of the season when winning easily, and although he maybe hasn’t progressed as connections would have hoped, he has ran in some strong races.
Due to this, he has kept his handicap mark down in the low 120’s, which I think is very workable. Again, the make-up of this race will really suit, and I can see him running well at double-figure prices.
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