Lulamba 4/7 Headlines Aintree as Trainer-Jockey Combos Take Centre Stage
On a day packed with 27 races across four tracks—Aintree, Southwell, Wolverhampton, and Taunton—it’s clear that strong trainer-jockey pairings are the angles to watch for punters. Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Hollie Doyle, and the Skelton brothers are among the names likely to impact today's results. Chief among the top-ranked selections is Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba, a standout at 4/7 in the 14:20 at Aintree. Let’s break down the day’s hottest tickets.
Aintree: Henderson and de Boinville Double Down
The opening salvo at Aintree belongs to none other than Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville, a trainer-rider combo that always commands respect at the Merseyside venue. Lulamba (4/7, 14:20), a convincing winner last time out over 2m 4f at Kempton, comes into this 2m 3f 200y Novices’ Hurdle as the day’s third-strongest AI selection. A Good to Soft surface will suit this 6-year-old gelding’s grinding, staying style, while de Boinville has a 35% strike rate at the track this season. The form rivals don’t appear to match his class, with key competition Head For Heights (7/2) yet to show the same level of consistency.
Half an hour later, Henderson and de Boinville will saddle Jango Baie (6/5) in the 14:55, a competitive 3m 210y Handicap Hurdle. This gelding gets in off a career-low mark of 129, dropping 5lbs under the handicapper's adjustment for lacklustre recent runs—though encouraging signs from a close-up third at Ascot in February make him well worth following. Add to this Henderson's exceptional 28% win-strike rate over hurdles at Aintree, and you’re looking at a solid favourite in a tricky, stamina-sapping renewal.
Elsewhere on the card, Harry Skelton pilots The New Lion (2/1, 16:05) for Dan Skelton. This horse is proven on Good to Soft going and was an eye-catching second over a similar trip last month at Wetherby. Drawn in a 15-runner field, tactical positioning will be key, but Skelton’s ability to judge pace could see this consistently progressive 7-year-old finally gain his reward.
Taunton: Nicholls Eyes a Big Afternoon
Over at Taunton, Minella Yoga spearheads Paul Nicholls’ assault on the 14:32, a 2m 104y Novices’ Hurdle. Available at 2/5 and ranked as the second-highest confidence selection of the day, this lightly raced gelding will relish the Good ground and small field of five runners. Nicholls is operating at a 29% strike rate across hurdles in 2026 so far, and jockey Freddie Gingell maintains a strong 22% win rate at the Somerset track. Minella Yoga is clearly cut from the Nicholls mould and should be hard to beat in this modest outing.
Elsewhere at Taunton, don’t ignore outsider Moroder (25/1, 16:15). Though his form leaves plenty to be desired, James Best takes the ride, and at that price in an open contest, there’s merit in an each-way punt. Moroder tends to keep on strongly over staying trips and could benefit from a frenetic early pace.
Wolverhampton: Hollie Doyle Rides the Banker of the Day
For all-weather enthusiasts, the evening card at Wolverhampton promises intrigue, not least the presence of Hollie Doyle aboard the overwhelming short-priced favourite and our NAP of the day, On The Inlet (2/7) in the 20:00 7f 36y Maiden Stakes. AI rates this selection at an incredible 95% confidence level, with a projected edge value of +20%, meaning the odds fairly reflect potential dominance.
Doyle is enjoying an enviable 30% strike rate on Tapeta this season, while Dr Richard Newland—the co-trainer—is hitting 25% in similar events. On The Inlet comes off the back of a second-place finish on debut at Lingfield, and with natural progression and the calibre of tonight’s opposition, he should make no mistakes.
Earlier on the card, punters might find value in Jack Jones’ relatively unexposed Zooter (11/8, 18:00). Stepping up to 1m 1f 104y, this 3-year-old has hinted at stamina reserves, placing well in recent spins around Newcastle and Wolverhampton. Hector Crouch is a confident rider who may time his finishing kick perfectly in a less-than-dynamic 10-runner field.
Value Bets & Each-Way Fancies: Longshots to Watch
It’s not all about the favourites—Thursday’s card also throws up some attractive outsider options:
- Coolagh Magic (11/1, Wolverhampton 18:30): A past course and distance winner, Coolagh Magic steps up in grade but retains a live chance in this field of veterans. William Carson takes the ride and could spring a surprise here.
- Billey Shiftit (125/1, Aintree 17:15): Let’s be frank—a win here is unlikely, but this runner has shown a liking to softer ground in the past. With 20 runners alongside, chasing a place in the closing stages isn’t out of reach for brave punters willing to dream.
- Button It (100/1, Southwell 15:47): Patrick Cosgrave climbs on board a horse that has run better than his prices have suggested in sprint handicaps this year. Deploy some loose change here as an each-way flyer.
Looking for more longshot inspiration? Don’t forget to check out our each-way selections.
Best Bets Summary
In summary, here are our top picks for Thursday, April 9th:
- Lulamba (4/7, Aintree 14:20) - Henderson’s 6-year-old looks unbeatable with proven form.
- On The Inlet (2/7, Wolverhampton 20:00) - Hollie Doyle on board the banker of the day.
- Minella Yoga (2/5, Taunton 14:32) - Nicholls' standout Novices’ Hurdle raider.
- Jango Baie (6/5, Aintree 14:55) - Back on a favourable mark and ready to strike.
- The New Lion (2/1, Aintree 16:05) - Well-handicapped and primed for progress.
For a full list of today’s racecards, visit our racecards page, and be sure to use our betting calculator to plot your stakes! If you’re thinking ahead, why not explore tomorrow’s early selections?
Whatever your angle, happy punting!
