Lulamba 4/7 Leads The Way In Aintree Feature As Top Picks Dominate Thursday Action

Thursday's Racing: Key Selections and Betting Angles

With 32 races spread across five UK and Irish tracks—Aintree, Southwell, Wolverhampton, Taunton, and Gowran Park—Thursday 9th April 2026 promises to deliver non-stop action for punters. The standout names include Lulamba (4/7) in Aintree's 14:20, Minella Yoga (2/5) at Taunton (14:32), and the supremely consistent On The Inlet (2/7), the hot pick in Wolverhampton's 20:00. Let’s break down the full card and identify where today’s smart money lies.

Aintree: Lulamba The Banker in Feature Novices' Hurdle

The seven-race card at Aintree centres around the 14:20, where Lulamba (4/7) looks a nailed-on winner under Nico de Boinville for trainer Nicky Henderson. Henderson’s yard is firing on all cylinders this spring, and this 6-year-old gelding’s victory at Warwick last month confirmed his class over intermediate trips. While the going at Aintree is officially Good to Soft, Lulamba arrives proven on similar ground and has been delivering progressive speed figures (RPR: 135, 140 last two starts).

The main opposition comes from Jolly Ranger (11/4), a decent hurdler but lacking the same tactical pace Lulamba can unleash late on. At odds of 4/7, Lulamba might not appeal to all punters as a single, but he’s the ideal banker for a multi-race accumulator. Head to Aintree’s 14:20 racecard for more details.

Taunton: Nicholls' Minella Yoga Looks Unbeatable at 2/5

Paul Nicholls sends out Minella Yoga (2/5) in Taunton’s 14:32, a 2m 104y Maiden Hurdle on Good ground. This 6-year-old is ridden by the talented conditional jockey Freddie Gingell, who claims a valuable 7lb. Minella Yoga was narrowly beaten at Fontwell on debut but shaped as a significant improver, with a slicker round of jumping likely today.

Opposition in this small field lacks firepower, and the AI confidence level of 95% only emphasises the strength of the selection. At 2/5, Minella Yoga is another accumulator staple and a pivotal inclusion for today's accumulator tips.

Wolverhampton: Hollie Doyle Partners On The Inlet at 20:00

If there’s one horse practically screaming "banker," it’s On The Inlet (2/7) in Wolverhampton’s 20:00, a 7f 36y Novice Stakes on the Tapeta. This Roger Teal-trained 3-year-old has placed in each of his last three starts, improving with every run. Hollie Doyle, the current leader of the all-weather jockey leaderboard, partners On The Inlet—a booking that only solidifies confidence in this odds-on favourite.

Against a field of moderate opposition on standard going, On The Inlet should break his maiden with ease. For multi-race players, he’s another obvious choice. Build your betslips and calculate returns with our betting calculator.

Value Bets: Big Prices with Solid Claims

Not every great bet comes with short odds. Here are some longer-priced horses that caught the eye for their each-way potential today:

Moroder (25/1) – Taunton 16:15 | A game sort who’s shown a liking for better ground and represents value in this 3m Handicap Chase. Trainer James Best saddles horses often underrated when sent south.
Deuteronomy (14/1) – Gowran Park 19:15 | A lightly raced 4-year-old tackling 1m 1f 130y here on Yielding to Soft going. Any market support would be worth watching closely before the off.
Billey Shiftit (125/1) – Aintree 17:15 | A wild card in a chaotic 20-runner handicap. While unlikely to deliver outright, this horse could be worth a place bet for adventurous punters.

For more outsider options, visit our each-way selections.

Competitive Races: Big-Field Challenges

Three large-field races stand out today, none more so than Aintree’s 15:30—a 2m 5f 19y Handicap Hurdle with a staggering 25 runners. These races can be a minefield for punters, but they also offer excellent value for the shrewd bettor. Keep an eye on Oh Danny (10/1), whose third here last year suggests he’s well suited to the unique dynamics of this track.

Gowran Park’s 18:45 and 19:15 are similarly stacked, with 17 and 14 runners respectively, ensuring plenty of exotic bet combinations. For the full list of runners, head to today’s racecards.