Dan Skelton Aintree day one runners blog: 'He's coming into it in very good form'

Ahead of the huge Grand National race this week, Ladbrokes ambassador and leading trainer Dan Skelton previews his Aintree day one runners.

We've got nine runners on Thursday, starting with Boombawn in a good Novices' Chase at Aintree - he's taking on the likes of Jango Baie, Rubaud and Impaire Et Passe. But Boombawn's in good form, and was second to Rubaud, giving him weight, last time and we've kept him for this race. He loves to be fresh and the track will be no problem for him - he's coming into it in very good form.

Live Conti runs in the Juvenile Hurdle - again, it's a very competitive race. He's only had one start for us, when he won at very short odds up at Wetherby. But he's a horse we really like, and hopefully he'll give a good account of himself. Again, he's in good form, and we've trained him specifically for this. How he compares against the Cheltenham horses remains to be seen; he's never taken on competition like this, but he has looked good in his two starts to date, including that one for us.

We then run Grey Dawning in the Bowl - it's a very competitive one, this, but we had a good run up at Kelso the last day, when he beat Iroko. We trained for this race, missing Cheltenham, which means he comes here fresh, and that gives him a big chance. We're not going in there without respect for the others... I think this is a very deep race, but we're going there ready.

Take No Chances runs in the Aintree Hurdle - it's as competitive as we thought it was going to be at entry stage. She ran great last time, finishing third in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and she gets seven pound off Constitution Hill - but with Lossiemouth and Wodhooh being in there, it makes this a very competitive race. We actually came out favourably on the weights with Wodhooh from Cheltenham in December, so maybe we've got a squeak of beating her. We know it's going to be hard to get our revenge on Lossiemouth, and with Constitution Hill in there too, it's a very good race. 

We've got three in the Foxhunters' - Bennys King is 14-years-old and comes back to it... he's been second here the last two times and doesn't appear to be getting any less of a horse. He loves his racing, and hopefully he runs well again. Frere d'Armes, I think, is desperate for this type of situation; a really fast-run two-and-a-half... this will definitely suit him. He's got some winning Hunter Chase form this year. So has Jet Plane who, again, I think, will really relish everything about this race. I think we've got three nice chances here. Obviously, over the Grand National fences, we can't jump up and down and say we're going to win, but I do think they're three really nice chances.

Calico runs in the Red Rum. He's in good form, obviously the handicapper has had his say since the start of the season, but he ran well the last day. I think the track and the trip are really good for him. He was going to be second to Jonbon in a Grade 1 here some time ago before coming down at the last. I don't necessarily say he's well-handicapped and should win, but he should go well.

We finish Thursday with Getawhisky in the Mares' Bumper. She's won a race and was not beaten all that far in a listed race last time. This is a very competitive race, as you'd imagine. But she's in good form, We've trained her for this, and hopefully she can place.

Ladbrokes has valuable insights into the favourites heading into Saturday's Grand National at Aintree, as well as a beginners guide to betting on the race for those new to the scene.

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