Racing Ahead’s resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for Day 3 of the 2026 Grand National Festival.
1.55 – Ballyfad looks Fab in Mersey Novices Hurdle
I am expecting a bounce back from BALLYFAD on Saturday in the Mersey Novices Hurdle after a blowout at Cheltenham.
It was a messy race at Prestbury Park, and I don’t think the form is too trustworthy, and horses like Ballyfad could be worth backing to bounce back.
This trip threatened to bring about plenty of improvement prior to Cheltenham, and I think that thought process will run true in time, but obviously am hoping it proves to be correct tomorrow.
His earlier form in Ireland looks rock solid and I think he is the class angle in the race.
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2.30 – Deep Cave to dig deep to complete Aintree double
DEEP CAVE was an impressive winner here over hurdles last year and he looks primed to run a huge race again on Saturday.
Christian Williams has a fine record at landing big handicap chases and it looks like he had this Saturday in mind for quite some time with this horse.
Although they have missed out on the National, it looks as if this race could prove a nice compensation if all goes to plan.
At slightly bigger prices, I will have to back KONFUSION as well after I was so keen on him at Cheltenham.
He fell that day when still travelling well, so I have no real reason not to back him here at 12/1, especially as front runners are doing so well this week.
4.00 – Watson looks too big in the National
It looks as if this race has been the plan for LECKY WATSON all season, and with conditions now in his favour, I think he could bounce back to somewhere near the form which saw him land the Brown Advisory Novices Chase at Cheltenham last year.
Clearly a classy individual, he seemingly has lost his way this season, but with a nice weight now on his back for this big race, I suggest connections will have him primed to run his best.
At slightly shorter prices, I think OSCARS BROTHER could run a nice race after he stayed on nicely in this year’s Brown Advisory.
He probably found the ground a little quick at Cheltenham, and that is a slight worry here, but the extra distance might just play into his hands to compensate.
Connor King has done a fine job with this horse so far, and if he and his brother, Daniel, were to land this race, then it would be some story.
5.00 – Look no further than Willie Mullins in the bumper
I think it is very telling that Willie Mullins only sends LOOK ME to this race, given he has an abundance of riches in this department.
It doesn’t look that strong a renewal on the face of it and the form in the book suggests this horse should be going close.
Bass Hunter is the obvious threat, but he has had a few hard races this year already, and we have already seen this week how important arriving here fresh is.
He rates a strong fancy in the concluding race of Aintree 2026.
READ MORE: Grand National Festival 2026: Will The Wise victorious in the Topham Handicap Chase
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