🏇 Grand National 2026: Our Best Bets for Day 2

Grand National Festival 2026: Best Bets for Day 3

Best bets for Grand National Day 3 2026
Ben Dixon
Ben Dixon Published: 10/04/2026

We're back for the final day at Aintree and BettingLounge's racing expert Ben has gone through some of his favourite bets for the day, putting them in one place for you.

It is worth noting that we are not putting any tips forward for the Grand National here, as we'll have a separate post going through our fancies.

So, let's just dive in.

Mersey Novices' Hurdle - 13:55 Ballyfad Best Bet
8/13
Novices' Chase - 12:45 Kala Conti Next Best
9/2
Liverpool Hurdle - 15:05 Air Of Entitlement Longshot
12/1

🥇 Best Bet

For my Best Bet on Saturday, I've gone for Ballyfad to win the Mersey Novices' Hurdle at 13:55. It is a race which Gordon Elliott loves and he is looking for a fifth straight win in the race.

Last year, it was Honesty Policy and he will be looking to go again here with Ballyfad, who was disappointing in the Turners. I'm hoping that he can turn it around here against a much weaker field.

He certainly has the class and after facing issues before the start at Cheltenham, he may well strike in England on the second time of asking.

🥈 Next Best

For my Next Best, I'm hoping to get the Saturday off to a great start with Kala Conti at 12:45. The mare missed Cheltenham last month, so she comes here fresh, which automatically is a tick in the box.

Winning her first two races of the season, she came second behind Sixmilebridge LTO and will look to the parade ring as a winner here. She certainly holds a fantastic chance.

It is worth noting that she beat Arkle winner Kargese by 16 lengths in December; she has the class and it would not surprise me if she got shorter in price before the start of racing on Saturday.

👀 Longshot

Finally, I quite like the look of Air of Entitlement in the Liverpool Hurdle. Originally, Wodhooh was set to take on a longer trip and with her not being confirmed, the market has been shaken up a little.

As a result, I think the field is a lot wider and there could be a little value available. So, I've gone for the Robcour-owned mare, currently available at around the 12/1 mark.

Jack Kennedy is booked to ride after a fantastic win at the Cheltenham festival and she certainly seemed like she could have gone further than 2m 4f.

So, this step up to 3m 1/2f could be a perfect next step for the mare!

Good luck with your picks, and let us know if you back any of our selections on X @BetLoungeTips!

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Ben Dixon
Ben Dixon
Last updated: 10/04/2026

Ben is an accredited football journalist who follows anything from League One to Serie A, also working for the likes of SempreMilan and Total Italian Football. As an avid punter, he has become the master tester at BettingLounge, refusing to take bookies by their words when it comes to withdrawal times and much more.

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