A blockbuster clash could be in store on the opening day of the Grand National meeting, with Constitution Hill, Lossiemouth and Brighterdaysahead all entered for the Grade 1 William Hill Aintree Hurdle.

The two-and-a-half-mile Grade 1 was won in 2023 by Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill, who will this year be on a recovery mission after dramatically falling in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Brighterdaysahead failed to fire in the two-mile championship at the Festival, having previously produced a devastating performance at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

Lossiemouth, meanwhile, was kept to her own sex at Cheltenham by Willie Mullins, winning the Mares’ Hurdle with ease for the second year running, which left many to wonder how she would have fared in the main event.

Another Grade 1 starts the three-day fixture, the EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase, which could potentially see Henderson’s Arkle winner Jango Baie step back up in trip.

The horse who beat him in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown, Ben Pauling’s Handstands, lies in wait, as do a host of Irish contenders such as Impaire Et Passe, Dancing City and Quai De Bourbon.

Paul Nicholls’ Rubaud, the Nicky Richards-trained The Kalooki Kid and Gidleigh Park for Harry Fry are also among 16 entries.

The Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle sees Henderson’s Lulamba, narrowly denied by 100/1 shot Poniros in the Triumph Hurdle, have the chance for Grade 1 compensation.

Lady Vega Allen, Live Conti and Hello Neighbour also feature in the 18 possibles.

Further Grade 1 action takes place in the Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase, with Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning and Protektorat standing tall.

Mullins has entered Gaelic Warrior, who skipped Cheltenham, as well as Blue Lord and Embassy Gardens while Spillane’s Tower could run for Jimmy Mangan with 12 entered.

AINTREE THURSDAY ENTRIES

Current Going

Mildmay & Hurdle Courses: Good, Good to Soft in places

Grand National Course: Good to Soft

1:45pm EBC Group Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m 3f 200y

Boombawn (IRE) 8 Bullen-Smith & Faulks Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Croke Park (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Dancing City (FR) 8 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland

Fascile Mode (IRE) 7 Mrs H. Mullins Thomas Mullins Ireland

Gidleigh Park 7 The Eyre Family Harry Fry Bryan Carver

Handstands (IRE) 6 Mr T. P. Radford Ben Pauling Ben Jones

Impaire Et Passe (FR) 7 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Imperial Saint (FR) 7 Richard Johnson Racing Imperial Saint Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Inedit Star (FR) 7 Crossed Fingers Partnership Nick Kent

Jango Baie (FR) 6 Countrywide Park Homes Ltd Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

Jordans (FR) 6 Cheeky Pups Syndicate Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Mark of Gold 8 Stevie Fisher & Friends Gary & Josh Moore Caoilin Quinn

Quai de Bourbon (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud W. P. Mullins Ireland

Rubaud (FR) 7 Mr Brendan McManus Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Shecouldbeanything (IRE) 8 Mr M. J. Hanrahan Gordon Elliott Ireland

The Kalooki Kid 7 Eddie Melville & Kenny Haughey Nicky Richards Danny McMenamin

16 entries

2:20pm Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 209y

Aviemore 4 HIghclere Thoroughbred Racing - Warhol Harry Derham Harry Cobden

Coconut Grove (FR) 4 The Jago Family Partnership Harry Fry Bryan Carver

Filibustering 4 Dr V. M. G. Ferguson Harry Derham Paul O'Brien

Gibbs Island 4 RaceShare - Gibbs Island Tom Lacey Stan Sheppard

Give It To Me Oj 4 Mr Omar Jackson Gary & Josh Moore Caoilin Quinn

Hello Neighbour (IRE) 4 Mr Patrick Sheanon Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Its Bilbo (FR) 4 Mr M. F. FitzGerald Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Lady Vega Allen (FR) 4 Mr Michael Hilary Burke W. P. Mullins Ireland

Live Conti (FR) 4 G Mason,J Hales,P Hogath,,Sir A Ferguson Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Lulamba (FR) 4 Mrs J Donnelly Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

Mambonumberfive (FR) 4 Mal Bloodstock Ltd Ben Pauling Ben Jones

Murcia (FR) 4 Mr K. Alexander W. P. Mullins Ireland

Naturally Nimble (GER) 4 Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Puturhandstogether (IRE) 4 Mr John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Static (FR) 4 Mr J. Fyffe Donald McCain

Terrorise 4 Mr A Barnes & Partner Brian Ellison Craig Nichol

Wendrock (FR) 4 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Willy de Houelle (FR) 4 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

18 entries

2:55pm Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m 210y

Ahoy Senor (IRE) 10 Wymer & Russell Lucinda Russell

Blue Lord (FR) 10 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Conflated (IRE) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Djelo (FR) 7 Mr P. Davies Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch

Embassy Gardens 9 Sean & Bernardine Mulryan W. P. Mullins Ireland

Gaelic Warrior (GER) 7 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Grey Dawning (IRE) 8 Mr Robert Kirkland Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Protektorat (FR) 10 Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Dan Skelton

Sam Brown 13 The Exors of Mr T. C. Frost Anthony Honeyball Sam Twiston-Davies

Spillane's Tower (IRE) 7 Mr John P. McManus James Joseph Mangan Ireland

Stage Star (IRE) 9 Owners Group 044 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

The Real Whacker (IRE) 9 Neville, Mann, Duffus, Dennis-Price Patrick Neville Brian Hughes

12 entries

3:30pm William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Altobelli (IRE) 7 Charlie Walker and Jonny Craib Harry Fry Bryan Carver

Be Aware (FR) 6 Mr Andrew L. Cohen Dan Skelton

Break My Soul (IRE) 6 Matthew Rogers Ian Patrick Donoghue Ireland

Brighterdaysahead (FR) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Constitution Hill 8 Mr Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville

Hiddenvalley Lake (IRE) 8 Robcour Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Jimmy du Seuil (FR) 6 Mr Edward J. Ware W. P. Mullins Ireland

Kitzbuhel (FR) 5 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland

Lossiemouth (FR) 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland

Salver (FR) 5 Mr Keith Graves Gary & Josh Moore Caoilin Quinn

Take No Chances (IRE) 7 Mr Garry Wilson Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Tellherthename (IRE) 6 The Megsons Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill Kielan Woods

Wodhooh (FR) 5 The Sundowners Partnership Gordon Elliott Ireland

13 entries

4:05pm Randox Foxhunters' Chase (Over the Grand National Fences) 2m 5f 19y

A Jet of Our Own (IRE) 8 12 0 Mr Edward Philipson-Stow Matt Sheppard

Annamix (FR) 12 12 0 Status Quo Syndicate W. P. Mullins Ireland

Autonomous Cloud (IRE) 9 12 0 Mr Terry Warner & The McNeill Family Fergal O'Brien

Bardenstown Lad 10 12 0 The Stay Between The Ditches Syndicate David Loughnane

Bennys King (IRE) 14 12 0 Mezzone Family & Dan Skelton Dan Skelton

Bothwell Bridge (IRE) 10 12 0 The Fernie Dingley Syndicate Kelly Morgan

Captain Tommy (IRE) 11 12 0 PSC Racing Club Fred Timmis

Dorking Cock (IRE) 11 12 0 Dorking Cock Syndicate S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland

Eva's Oskar (IRE) 11 12 0 S&R Racing Ltd Tim Vaughan

Famous Clermont (FR) 10 12 0 Biddiscombe, Rogers & Barber C. R. Barber

Fix At All (FR) 9 12 0 Mrs L. Maclennan Callum Bickers-Price

Frere d'Armes (FR) 8 12 0 Belbroughton Racing Club Dan Skelton Miss Heidi Palin

Go Go Geronimo 10 12 0 Mr John Chatfeild-Roberts Kelly Morgan

Gracchus de Balme (FR) 9 12 0 Mr D. A. Malam J. J. O'Shea Mr Huw Edwards

Jet Plane (IRE) 9 12 0 Norman Lake & Susan Carsberg Dan Skelton Mr Jack Andrews

Joker de Mai (FR) 6 12 0 Mr David Maxwell Harry Derham

Lifetime Ambition (IRE) 10 12 0 Linda Mulcahy & Roger O'Byrne P. M. J. Doyle Ireland Mr Robert James

Master Templar (IRE) 10 12 0 Mrs R. C. Hayward Mrs G. Andrews

Milan Forth (IRE) 6 12 0 Mr Patrick J. Whyte Adrian Murray Ireland

My Drogo 10 12 0 Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes Edward William Walker

Ontheropes (IRE) 11 12 0 Mrs H. Mullins Thomas Mullins Ireland

Percussion 10 12 0 Mr Daniel Cherriman L J Morgan

Presentandcounting (IRE) 11 12 0 Mr Tim Johnson Donald McCain Mr Derek O'Connor

Pyleigh Court 10 12 0 Mr R. C. Pudd R. C. Pudd

Ramillies (IRE) 10 12 0 Ramillies & Christie Family Syndicate D. M. Christie Ireland

Senior Citizen 12 12 0 Mr G. C. Myddelton Alan Hill

Solomon Grey (FR) 13 12 0 Miss Sarah A. Dawson Miss V. Collins Mr Darren Andrews

Willewonga 9 12 0 Mr Nathan Richards J. J. O'Shea Mr William Easterby

Willitgoahead (IRE) 7 12 0 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Yccs Portocervo (FR) 10 12 0 Mrs M.C. Litton Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Yippee Ki Yay (IRE) 7 12 0 Mr and Mrs Ben Herbert and Family Matt Sheppard

31 confirmations

4:40pm Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 1m 7f 176y

Asta La Pasta (IRE) 7 The Asta La Pasta Partnership Dan Skelton

Brookie (IRE) 8 Miss A F Rugg Anthony Honeyball Sam Twiston-Davies

Calico (GER) 9 Mr John J Reilly Dan Skelton

Dr T J Eckleburg (IRE) 7 Mrs Janet Davies Evan Williams Adam Wedge

Etalon (IRE) 8 Mrs Suzanne Lawrence Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Galunggung (FR) 9 Nigel Dunnington & David Shaw Donald McCain Brian Hughes

General Medrano (IRE) 8 Elite Racing 003 Emma Lavelle Ben Jones

Gunsight Ridge 10 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy Sean Bowen

Harper's Brook (IRE) 9 The Megsons Dan Skelton

Hunters Yarn (IRE) 8 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Inedit Star (FR) 7 Crossed Fingers Partnership Nick Kent Tom Broughton (5)

Lisnamult Lad (IRE) 8 Matthew Rogers Ian Patrick Donoghue Ireland

Matata (IRE) 7 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies

Mayhem Mya 8 Mr G. Thompson Chris Honour Bryan Carver

My Mate Mozzie (IRE) 9 Alymer Stud Ltd Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Netywell (FR) 8 County Set Five & K Hunter Lucinda Russell

Petit Tonnerre (FR) 7 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

Primoz (IRE) 7 Aim Equestrian Ltd & Russell Lucinda Russell

Rath Gaul Hill (IRE) 7 Mr Kevin Price Samuel Drinkwater

Sans Bruit (FR) 7 Mr Andy Peake Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

The Folkes Tiara (IRE) 9 DWPJ Investments Ltd Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Tommy's Oscar (IRE) 10 Mr Ian Hamilton Ann Hamilton Danny McMenamin

Touch Me Not (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

23 entries

5:15pm Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 209y

Amelia's Star (IRE) 5 Shaw Racing & Graeme McPherson David Killahena & Graeme McPherson

Bay Empress (IRE) 6 Mr Semore Kurdi Eloise Quayle

Betty's Daisy 5 Mrs Bridget Henley Ben Pauling Ben Jones

Blue Betty 5 The Megsons Fergal O'Brien Kielan Woods

Celestron Star 5 Upton House Stud & Chris Stedman Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole Luke Scott

Charisma Cat 5 Annabel Waley-Cohen, family and friends Alan King Tom Cannon

Freddiemissmolli (IRE) 5 Mr Daf Jones Debra Hamer Callum Pritchard

Getawhisky 5 Distillery Stud & Alne Park Stud Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Highland Haven 5 Mr Walid Marzouk Fergal O'Brien Liam Harrison

Jackie Hobbs 5 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate - Jackie Harry Derham Paul O'Brien

Kapability (FR) 5 Mr Richard & Mrs Carol Cheshire Anthony Honeyball Harry Cobden

Kingston Queen (IRE) 5 The Kingstonians David Pipe Jack Tudor

La Conquiere (FR) 6 Jamie Snowden Racing Club Jamie Snowden

La Zoubida (FR) 5 Fine Claret Racing Nicky Richards Sean Quinlan

Mighty Fleur 5 Big Time Billy Racing Peter & Michael Bowen

Oldschool Outlaw (IRE) 5 Dundara Syndicate Garry Caldwell Ireland

Queen Kate 5 Big Time Billy Racing Peter & Michael Bowen

Riviera Walk (IRE) 5 Anne, Harriet & Lucinda Bond Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

Roses All The Way (IRE) 6 Mrs Miranda Johnson Donald McCain Brian Hughes

Royal Hillsborough (IRE) 5 Mr Trevor Campbell S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland

Seo Linn (IRE) 5 Mrs A. Phelan & Mrs Bridget Beckett P. Twomey Ireland

Slack Alice 4 Paul Cairns Racing Limited Patrick Owens

St Irene (IRE) 5 The Saints B F Brookhouse Jack Quinlan

St Jessica (IRE) 5 The Saints B F Brookhouse Jack Quinlan

Strong Run 6 Welfordgolf syndicate Fergal O'Brien Jonathan Burke

25 entries