Lulamba 4/7 Leads High-Confidence Picks As Aintree Headlines Thursday Action

Thursday's Standout Selections: High-Confidence Plays You Can't Miss

If you're serious about punting, Thursday, 9th April 2026 delivers an action-packed schedule, headlined by a seven-race card at Aintree. With 32 races across five UK and Irish tracks, our AI has flagged three high-confidence picks, led by Lulamba (14:20 Aintree, 4/7), Minella Yoga (14:32 Taunton, 2/5), and On The Inlet (20:00 Wolverhampton, 2/7). All three boast confidence ratings upwards of 90%, and we've left no stone unturned in justifying these selections.

For punters who prefer value plays, we'll also highlight some intriguing longshots, with Billey Shiftit (17:15 Aintree, 125/1) and Moroder (16:15 Taunton, 25/1) catching the eye in big-field handicaps.

Let’s break down the day’s top selections and explore where the smart money is likely to go. Be sure to check today’s full racecards and see all today’s AI tips before placing your bets.

Aintree 14:20: Lulamba (4/7) — NAP of the Day

The AI’s standout selection for the day is Lulamba, who lines up as the 4/7 favourite in the 14:20 at Aintree, a 2m 3f 200y contest on good to soft ground. Ridden by Nico de Boinville and trained by Nicky Henderson, this six-year-old gelding has all the hallmarks of a banker bet.

Lulamba has been in scintillating form, winning two of his last three starts in similar company. His latest victory, a commanding 8-length romp at Kempton over 2m 4f, revealed a horse thriving at mid-distances on slightly softer ground. Henderson boasts a 27% strike rate with favourites at Aintree, while De Boinville has a 31% win rate when riding Henderson-trained jumpers this season.

With few credible threats in this six-runner field and his suitability to both the going and trip, Lulamba appears a rock-solid betting proposition. Those seeking an accumulator anchor, take note: today's accumulator tips start here.

Taunton 14:32: Minella Yoga (2/5) — Another Banker

In the opening novice hurdle at Taunton, Minella Yoga (2/5) represents another high-confidence play. Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by conditional jockey Freddie Gingell, the six-year-old gelding has shown promise in his two starts under rules. His most recent run saw him finish second to a highly touted rival at Wincanton, where he stayed on strongly over 1m 7f.

Taunton’s 2m 104y configuration and good ground are expected to suit him even better. Nicholls is a dominant force at this track, operating at a 36% strike rate over the past three seasons. With Freddie Gingell taking off 7lbs, Minella Yoga effectively carries a featherweight, making him tough to oppose.

Priced at 2/5, this isn’t a value play on paper, but Nicholls’ runners in novice hurdles here return a consistent profit. A solid addition to doubles or trebles.
Today’s full list of runners has all the details.

Wolverhampton 20:00: On The Inlet (2/7) — Hollie Doyle’s Short-Priced Cert

The evening card at Wolverhampton sees Hollie Doyle team up with the Dr R Newland stable aboard On The Inlet in the 20:00, running over 7f 36y on the all-weather Tapeta surface. Trading as the 2/7 favourite, On The Inlet brings an impeccable CV, having landed back-to-back victories in similar Class 4 handicaps.

This 4-year-old has thrived on artificial surfaces, posting a sharp 95 RPR last time out at Chelmsford over 7f, where he quickened gamely clear from the front. Wolverhampton’s Tapeta holds no concerns given his record across all-weather tracks, while the presence of Hollie Doyle — striking at 22% in AW racing this season — only strengthens the case.

With market rivals either out of form or stepping up in class, On The Inlet should make it three on the bounce. Short odds, but a win is a win. Want to calculate your returns? Use our betting calculator.

Value Bets: Intriguing Longshots to Consider

For the more adventurous punters, we’ve explored the big-price outsiders flagged by the AI:

Moroder (16:15 Taunton, 25/1): This veteran chaser may be flying under the radar after two below-par efforts, but he thrives on good ground and could exploit a slipping handicap mark. Worth an each-way nibble.
Billey Shiftit (17:15 Aintree, 125/1): A speculative punt in a 20-runner handicap, but the AI suggests his closing speed is underrated. May grab a place at eye-watering odds.
Deuteronomy (19:15 Gowran Park, 14/1): A progressive sort over 1m+ trips and unexposed at this class level. Nicola Burns’ 5lb claim enhances the appeal.

Competitive Fields to Watch

Big-field handicaps dominate the Aintree and Gowran Park cards. The Aintree 15:30 (25 runners over 2m 5f 19y) offers a devilishly tricky puzzle, while the Gowran Park 18:45 (17 runners over 1m 1f 130y) features several unexposed types. This is prime ground for shrewd each-way betting or forecast combinations.
Don’t forget to check for late withdrawals when betting in these big-field events.