Grand National Ladies' Day 2023: Best each-way bets and tips on Friday

The Grand National Festival has 21 races, with up to 150,000 spectators descending upon Merseyside for the three-day event which reaches its climax with the Grand National itself on Saturday.

However, there is still lots of action to be enjoyed before then as plenty of grade one action takes place as part of an exciting schedule. The Aintree Festival is one of the highlights of the season, coming a month after the famous Cheltenham Festival and is regarded as being one of the two biggest events of the National Hunt calendar.

Millions of pounds will be staked on the event, with the Grand National being the one race which draws in people for a bet who would not normally do so. However, there is plenty of action to be enjoyed in the meantime, with Ladies Day having some top class action to be enjoyed and lots to be won and lost on the track and among punters.

For those wishing to make a lower-risk bet, you can choose to bet each-way. This means that half of your stake will be placed on a horse to win, while the other half will be on a placing, which means if they finish high up the field then you may be able to still turn a profit, or at least recoup some losses.

Here are some of the best each-way bets for Ladies' Day at the Aintree Grand National Festival.

Ladies' Day best each-way bets

Mildmay Novices' Chase (13:45)

The opening race of Ladies' Day, Gerri Colombe is an evens favourite for the race having placed second behind The Real Whacker at Cheltenham last month in The Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.

However, with a win at Ayr in February, it could be a good day for Thomas Darby (14/1), with fresh legs compared to the other runners over what could still be a heavy course following recent poor weather.

Poundland Top Novices' Hurdle (14:55)

Some of the future stars of the sport will take to the course in this Grade One contest, with Found A Fifty and Inthepocket both 5/1 joint-favourites at present. However, for a good each-way shout it may be worth looking slightly down the order and Paul Nicholls' Tahmuras (12/1) may do well despite a tenth place finish in the Sky Bet Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham last month.

The gelding was in touch until being outclassed in the final stages in that race and could improve on that showing in a slightly lower standard of opposition after a strong season, this included wins at Sandown, Haydock and Chepstow.

Mellings Steeple Chase(15:30)

The feature race of day two is the Mellings Steeple Chase, with the grade one contest being run over 2m4f. It is a strong field, with some big names going as Pic D'Orhy (9/4) tops the betting. However, it could be Hitman (9/4) who takes the smart money, with a third place finish in the Ryanair Chase to follow up on what has been an impressive season for the seven-year-old.

Which finishing places will bookies pay out on?

In the Grand National, bookies typically pay out on up to five or even six places. However, with the other races, it depends on how many runners there are.

Fewer horses mean it is less likely more than three places will be paid out on. Before you place a bet, it should be clearly stated which places will count as an each-way winner.