Several horses have been ruled out of their respective races, so please remove them from your consideration. Notably, Nick Rocket, the previous year’s Grand National champion, is suffering from a cold.
1:55 PM – Turners Mersey Novice Hurdle
3. Came From Nowhere (Unsuitable Ground)
2:30 PM – William Hill Handicap Chase
4. Imperial Saint (Entered the Grand National as a reserve)
5. Amirite (Entered the Randox Grand National as a reserve)
8. Myretown (Veterinary Certificate, abscess)
14. Stolen Silver (Bruised foot)
3:05 PM – JET2 Liverpool Hurdle
2. Happy Jacky (Transport issues)
4:00 PM – Grand National Handicap Chase
2. Nick Rocket (Coughing)
7. Spillane’s Tower (Not qualified)
Good morning. Aintree experienced some rainfall earlier today, as noted by the BBC Breakfast weather presenter, but the skies have cleared, and the track retains some moisture. The course is well-watered for safety purposes. Current ground conditions are: Grand National Course: Good to Soft; Mildmay Course (Chase & Hurdle): Good to Soft, with some areas rated as Good.
Aintree officials report that “there was 2mm of rain overnight. The showers should dissipate by mid-morning, leading to a partly sunny afternoon, although there is a slight chance of additional rain in the early afternoon.”
Welcome to Aintree on Grand National day, where a full house is expected to witness one of the most storied and thrilling events in the sporting calendar, featuring 34 competitors set to race at 4 PM BST.
The initial rain is clearing, and a brighter outlook is anticipated for later. The betting market for the Grand National is already becoming active, with early interest in Jagwar, one of the three seven-year-olds in the lineup. Panic Attack, the sole mare in the race, is also gaining popularity at 8-1, despite the fact that the last mare to win was in 1951. Jagwar is currently priced at 17-2, while yesterday’s favorite, I Am Maximus, has shifted to 9-1 in some markets.
Other noteworthy contenders include Oscars Brother, from Connor King’s two-horse stable in Ireland; Haiti Couleurs, aiming to become the first winner trained in Wales since 1905, who is ridden by Sean Bowen and trained by his former babysitter, Rebecca Curtis; and Mr. Vango, trained by Sara Bradstock, whose father, the widely admired broadcaster Lord John Oaksey, finished second aboard Carrickbeg in 1963.
Every bettor has their own strategy for selecting a winner, and Gorgeous Tom may attract attention from the Thomases and their families as a solid each-way option. For insights on the National race and the ITV races leading up to it, as well as a comprehensive guide to all the runners, please follow our blog for the latest news, opinions, and market updates as we count down to the year’s most significant race.
