Henderson and De Boinville favourites to rule Aintree meeting

The absence of a Cheltenham-style challenge from Ireland, specifically from Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, means champion trainer Nicky Henderson has been all but handed top trainer honours at Aintree this year, at least by bookmakers.

Ladbrokes and Paddy Power make Henderson the 2-5 favourite to prevail at the end of the three-day meeting to make it four Aintree top trainer awards in seven years.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Nicky Henderson’s Aintree team looks formidable and he is head and shoulders above the rest in the betting to be this week’s top trainer.”

Top trainer betting

Ladbrokes
2-5 Henderson. 7-2 Nicholls, 13-2 Tizzard, 8 De Bromhead, 20 King. 33 Mullins, 50 Skelton.

Paddy Power
2-5 Henderson, 3 Nicholls, 15-2 De Bromhead, 16 Twiston-Davies, 20 Pipe, Tizzard 33 Skelton, 50 Mullins, 66 King.

It is hard to argue with that as Henderson, despite missing one of his aces in Buveur D'Air, starts with the first three favourites on Thursday's card.

Paul Nicholls, who topped the list is 2008 and 2011, is second favourite but last year's hero with five winners Colin Tizzard is an outsider at 20-1 despite plenty of runners and past winners.

Paddy Power also make Nico de Boinville the 5-4 favourite to be top jockey with his Henderson links on Brain Power and Might Bite, but expect previous winner Barry Geraghty to be a challenger at 5-2.

Power's spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Nico’s got a couple of nice rides on the first day including Brain Power and Might Bite, but Barry is sure to be popular as he’s on Apple’s Shakira, a fresh My Tent Or Yours and has a plum ride on Anibale Fly in the National.”

Paddy Power top jockey prices
5-4 De Boinville, 5-2 Geraghty, 9-2 Twiston-Davies, 6 Jacob, 8 Power, 12 Russell, 16 Johnson, 20 Hughes, 25 Skelton, 50 Scudamore.

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