Randox Grand National 2025
Venue: Aintree Racecourse Date: Saturday, 5 April Time: 16:00 BST
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live. Racecards, live text, results & reports on the BBC Sport website and app.
Last year's winner I Am Maximus heads the confirmations for the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.
The Willie Mullins-trained horse, owned by JP McManus, triumphed by seven and a half lengths in the 2024 race.
There are 57 entries remaining, and a maximum of 34 runners will line up on the day after the final field and four reserves are announced on Thursday morning.
McManus is seeking a record fourth victory in the race, and he also has leading hopefuls Iroko and Perceval Legallois.
I Am Maximus would be the first horse to carry top weight to victory since triple winner Red Rum in the 1970s, and only one horse – Tiger Roll in 2019 – has defended his title since then.
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Mullins has a strong squad which also includes Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West towards the top of the weights, although Capodanno was not confirmed for the race on Monday.
Mr Incredible has been barred from running after either being pulled up or refusing to race in his last four outings.
Others who were guaranteed a run but have not taken up the option are L'Homme Presse, Minella Drama and Velvet Elvis.
Gavin Cromwell, who trains Velvet Elvis, will still be strongly represented with Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown, Perceval Legallois and Vanillier, the second-place finisher in 2023.
A strong Irish contingent includes bargain buy Hewick, who cost just £800 and won the King George VI Chase in 2023, plus last year's third-place finisher and 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, and the 2024 Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles.
Rachael Blackmore, the only female jockey to win the race when she triumphed in 2021 aboard Minella Times, is likely to ride Minella Indo or Senior Chief for trainer Henry de Bromhead.
Frost misses out on National ride
The 14-times British champion trainer Paul Nicholls has five contenders as seeks a second win in the race - Kandoo Kid, Bravemansgame, Threeunderthrufive, Hitman and Stay Away Fay.
Stable jockey Harry Cobden is on Kandoo Kid, while Paul O'Brien will partner Stay Away Fay as first Bryony Frost, and then Johnny Burke, were ruled out.
Frost is required in France where she is retained rider to owners ...
