2025 Aintree Bowl Tips - Skelton's star the one to beat at Aintree
The opening day of Aintree's Grand National Festival features the prestigious Aintree Bowl, attracting top staying chasers like Grey Dawning and Spillane's Tower. Grey Dawning, after skipping the Cheltenham Gold Cup, is a top contender along with Spillane's Tower. Willie Mullins' Gaelic Warrior and Embassy Gardens also join the fray. The article includes betting tips, leaning heavily on Grey Dawning due to favorable conditions and strategy by the Skelton team. Punters are advised to watch out for Grey Dawning's performance, which could set the tone for the festival's excitement.
- Odds and betting predictions for the 2025 Aintree Bowl
- This Grade One takes place at Aintree on Thursday 3rd April
- Grey Dawning is our top tip at 9/4
The opening day of Aintree's Grand National Festival is headlined by the Aintree Bowl. This Grade One has been won by some of the best staying chasers the sport has ever produced and viewers look set for a fascinating renewal in 2025.
Here's our free guide to the 2025 Aintree Bowl, including our best betting tips.
2025 Aintree Bowl Odds
| Name | Odds |
|---|---|
| Grey Dawning | 9/4 |
| Spillane's Tower | 3/1 |
| Gaelic Warrior | 7/1 |
| Stage Star | 7/1 |
| Ahoy Senor | 7/1 |
| Embassy Gardens | 10/1 |
| Bar | 12/1 |
2025 Aintree Bowl Entries
Grey Dawning skipped the Cheltenham Gold Cup to target Aintree and Dan Skelton's star sits atop the betting, having beaten Grand National contender Iroko at Kelso. Spillane's Tower also bypassed the Cheltenham Festival following his underwhelming run in the King George and Jimmy Mangan's raider is fancied to strike on his second British start of the year.
Willie Mullins will be represented by Gaelic Warrior, who missed Cheltenham due to working poorly at home after the Dublin Racing Festival. Mullins has also decided to run New Year's Day Chase winner Embassy Gardens, who'll be ridden by Paul Townend.
Stage Star ran well on his first start beyond two-and-a-half miles when second to L'Homme Presse in the Cotswold Chase and Paul Nicholls' star comes into this Grade One fresh. Ahoy Senor always saves his best for Aintree, but will have to bounce back following a fall in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
The Real Whacker managed to complete the Gold Cup course, finishing fifth behind Inothewayurthinkin. Denman Chase winner, Djelo will step back up in trip following a seventh-place finish in the Ryanair Chase three weeks ago.
2025 Aintree Bowl Tips
I do feel like this year's Bowl revolves around the top two in the market. I couldn't trust Gaelic Warrior, especially with Patrick Mullins in the saddle. Stage Star didn't seem to enjoy Aintree in the Old Roan and his stamina has to be questioned. Embassy Gardens would want softer ground to be at his most effective, while Ahoy Senor, Djelo and The Real Whacker had hard races at Cheltenham three weeks ago.
Spillane's Tower was my selection in the King George VI Chase and I was surprised to see how poorly he performed. Jimmy Mangan's star is much better than that, but he's still run badly on the only occasion that he's travelled to England. Switching to a left-handed track might not be ideal either and Mangan was worried that the ground was too quick at Kempton. Conditions will be similar at Aintree.
GREY DAWNING (9/4) also underperformed at Kempton. Dan Skelton rolled the dice with his grey, running him quickly on the back of a ding-dong battle in the Betfair Chase, and the decision didn't pay off, as Harry Skelton pulled his mount up well before the end.
The Skeltons have taken the cautious approach with Grey Dawning since, opting for a run in the Premier Chase at Kelso rather than the Gold Cup. Harry's mount jumped nicely up at Kelso and comfortably held Iroko at arm's length, recording his first victory of the season in good style.
Skelton's approach should ensure that Grey Dawning comes to Aintree in peak fitness this season. Softer going would be ideal, but the favourite is perfectly capable of performing on faster ground. I'm expecting a statement performance from Skelton's top chaser.
Live Stream
Visit our Aintree Bowl Live Stream page if you want to watch any of Thursday's races via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Grey Dawning is our best bet in the 2025 Aintree Bowl.
Grey Dawning
2025 Aintree Bowl Tips
@9/4 - 5 Units
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