ITV Racing tips: one key runner from each ITV race at Aintree on Thursday

ITV will broadcast five live races from the Grand National festival on Thursday. The action on day one features some top-class names, notably in the Grade 1 Bowl and Aintree Hurdle, and we've got you covered for the day's terrestrial TV coverage.

Grand National festival: ITV Racing tips

Our Spotlight experts select their best bets for the opening day of the Grand National festival at Aintree

Jewson Anniversary 4-y-o Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m1f

Cheltenham Festival form is put to the test as Triumph Hurdle third Pied Piper takes on Brazil, who landed the Boodles Juvenile Handicap. Only a 1lb separates the Irish pair on official ratings but they take on two new unbeaten challengers in Petit Tonnerre and Fautinette.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: BRAZIL

Up-and-coming hurdler who won the Fred Winter at Cheltenham last time; respected

Betway Bowl Chase (Grade 1), 3m1f

A huge 26 lengths was the winning distance for Clan Des Obeaux in this race last season and he faces another who has won by a wide margin at Aintree in Protektorat. The seven-year-old stepped forward again after his Many Clouds Chase romp in December when third in the Gold Cup last month. Former winner Kemboy and Irish Gold Cup hero and Conflated also feature.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: PROTEKTORAT

2-2 at Aintree; creditable third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time; respected back here

3.30 Aintree
Betway Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m4f

There is no Honeysuckle to fear for Champion Hurdle second and third Epatante and Zanahiyr as the classy pair are upped to two and a half miles for the first time. Monmiral's best day came on this card last season and is fancied on that form, while Brewin'upastorm brings form over course and distance.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: ZANAHIYR

Good third in the Champion Hurdle; gives impression he'll be suited by this new trip

Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase, 2m5f

Jett made jumping the Grand National fences look easy when leading the National field for a long way last season. Stamina eventually took its toll, but he finished a respectable eighth and is of obvious interest over this shorter distance. Reigning winner Cousin Pascal, and Latenightpass and Cat Tiger, who chased him home, return while Porlock Bay seeks another big festival win.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: PORLOCK BAY

Beaten in both starts this season but won big Cheltenham hunter chase in 2021; respected

Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Grade 3), 2m

Grand Annual winner Global Citizen is a non-runner, so the progressive Before Midnight, who missed the Cheltenham Festival meeting due to the ground, gets his chance to shine.

SPOTLIGHT TIP: BEFORE MIDNIGHT

Improved at 2m, mostly on good; useful run off this mark at Doncaster in January

2022 Grand National festival offers

• Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers, and all you need is an account. Sign up here.
• Sky Bet have got offers for new customers plus money-back offers for existing customers. Check them all out when you sign up here.
• Betfair have extra places and money-back offers for the Aintree festival. Sign up for a new account here.
• To get a free bet from Ladbrokes today, sign up for a new account here.
• Don't have a Coral account? They have an offer for new customers here.
• bet365 have a new customer offer available when you sign up to a new account. Get started here.
• New William Hill customers can claim free bets here as well as benefit from their daily promotions here.
• 888 Sport have free bets for all new customers. Sign up here.
• If you're a new customer, Tote will give you a free bet. Sign up here to claim.

Best ITV Racing free bets

New Sky Bet customers can get £20 in free bets. New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 2 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.

ITV7 tips and predictions

The ITV7 competition is back and is completely free to play, with a potential £50,000 up for grabs. Users will need a Sky Bet account to enter, so if you don't already have an account sign up using this link and take advantage of the free bet offer.

Race 1, 2.20 Aintree: PIED PIPER
Race 2, 2.35 Taunton: GO SACRE GO
Race 3, 2.45 Ffos Las: KINGOFTHEWEST
Race 4, 2.55 Aintree: PROTEKTORAT
Race 5, 3.30 Aintree: ZANAHIYR
Race 6, 4.05 Aintree: PORLOCK BAY
Race 7, 4.40 Aintree: BEFORE MIDNIGHT

Thursday's Aintree previews:

1.45 Aintree: 'This was always the target' – Nicholls hoping to crack Grade 1 with Pic D'Orhy

2.20 Aintree: 'You'd like to think he'll take a bit of beating' – Elliott confident in Piper

2.55 Aintree: Gold Cup third Protektorat out to prove best of British in Bowl at Aintree

3.30 Aintree: intermediate trip sets up fascinating clash between Epatante and Zanahiyr

4.05 Aintree: is Jett ready for take-off? Expert analysis and key quotes on the Foxhunters'

4.40 Aintree: front-running Before Midnight could be the one in a fast and furious Red Rum

Head over to our dedicated Grand National 2022 site for the latest tips and odds for the big race. Our leading horseracing tipsters share their Grand National tips and it's completely free!