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 runners 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 2024.
McManus, who is seeking a record fourth victory for an owner in the contest, also has leading hopefuls Iroko and Perceval Legallois in the field.
Rachael Blackmore, the only female jockey to win when she triumphed in 2021 aboard Minella Times, rides Minella Indo for trainer Henry de Bromhead.
A maximum line-up of 34 runners will take part after the field was reduced last year from 40 as part of safety changes.
Bookmakers expect more than £150m to be wagered on the big race.
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I Am Maximus would be the first runner to carry top weight to victory since triple winner Red Rum in the 1970s, and only one horse - Tiger Roll in 2019 - has defended their title since then.
"He's in great shape and I'm very happy with him," said Mullins, who also has Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West towards the top of the weights.
Gavin Cromwell is set to run Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown, Perceval Legallois and 2023 runner-up Vanillier.
Bargain buy Hewick, who cost just £800 and won the King George VI Chase in 2023, will be saddled by John 'Shark' Hanlon.
"He's a horse of a lifetime and no one will ever have a horse like him," said Hanlon. who plans to take his horse to the local pub to celebrate if he wins.
The Irish contingent also includes last year's third-place finisher and 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, as well as 2024 Irish Grand National victor Intense Raffles.
Gordon Elliott's team will be led by Three Card Brag, the mount of Sean Bowen, who is on the verge of becoming British champion jockey despite being allergic to horse hair.
Approximate odds: 6-1 I Am Maximus, 8-1 Iroko, Stumptown, 11-1 Hewick, Perceval Legallois, ...
