THIS YEAR'S Grand National, with all its thrills, spills, twists and turns, looks like being one for the ages – and it all gets underway later TODAY.
Rachael Blackmore's horse Ain't That A Shame has been backed off the boards and is now co-favourite with Delta Work.
Can she win it again for a second time in three years after conquering the world on Minella Times in 2021?
One horse, Escaria Ten, has pulled out, due to lameness, however.
Sun Racing will be with you every step of the way with the biggest and best live blog – and don't forget to check out our free bet offers and Templegate's tips.
- Templegate's NAP for Day 3 at Aintree
- Print your Grand National sweepstake kit
- Full runners and riders confirmed
- How to watch the Grand National
AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL: BEST FREE BETS
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
- Kieran Davies
Aintree – 14.25 – Result
- West Balboa
- Pounding Poet
- Mill Green
- Good Time Jonny
- Kieran Davies
Aintree – 14.25
Three jumps to go and they start to turn up the pace.
West Balbao is in the lead from Outlaw Peter.
It looks like it is going to win this one.
- Kieran Davies
Aintree – 14.25
Heading down to the back straight now, Glimpse of Gala leads.
Outlaw Peter is in second place.
Au Fleuron is putting pressure on the leaders.
Good Time Jonny is trying to advance.
- Kieran Davies
Aintree – 14.25
The winner from last year's race Party Business is second to last.
Heading towards flight number seven Outlaw Peter still leads.
The jockeys seem to be pacing their horses well as the field is tightly grouped.
- Kieran Davies
Aintree – 14.25
Outlaw Peter leads from Glimpse Of Gala.
It is a tight bunch at the front so taking the fences well are key.
Outlaw Peter stretches his lead a length from Glimpse of Gala.
- Kieran Davies
Aintree – 14.25
We are underway in the second race of the day.
A much bigger field in this one with plenty of rides.
No false starts here which is always a positive sight.
Henry's Friend seemed very keen to get going there.
- Kieran Davies
Aidan gets off to winning start
Aidan Coleman showed why he was so fancied in that first race.
Dominating the field in the latter stages to romp home.
Might it be conditions to go with favourites today, if the first race is anything to go by, it may be the way forward.
Credit: Reuters - Kieran Davies
Aintree 14.25
Here are the runners and odds for the next race at Aintree:
Good Time Jonny 5-1
West Balboa 6-1
Mexico 15-2
An Tailliur 8-1
Party Business 8-1
Mill Green 12-1
Outlaw Peter 12-1
Au Flueron 14-1
Gatsby Grey 14-1
Henrys Friend 16-1
Vina Ardanza 16-1
Bardenstown Lad 20-1
Moon Hunter 22-1
Erne River 25-1
Starzov 28-1
Glimpse Of Gala 33-1
Itchy Feet 33-1
Pounding Poet 33-1
Regarding Ruth 50-1
Dolphin Square 66-1
Gaelik Coast 66-1
Dallas Des Pictons 100-1
All odds brought to you by Grosvenor Casinos.
- Kieran Davies
Jonbon shows fancied form
The heavy-favourite Jonbon showed its metal with Aidan Coleman, initially chasing Marvel De Cerisy.
Once it took the lead, it opened up a gap and went on to win the race quite comfortably.
No pressure whatsoever on the horse as it cantered over the line.
- Kieran Davies
Aintree 13.45 – result
- Jonbon
- Marvel De Cerisy
- Fusain
Calico falls at the final fence but both horse and rider are up with no issues for either fortunately.
- Kieran Davies
Aintree 13.45
Jonbon opens up a lead now as they head into the home straight.
It is Calico who looks to put the pressure on now.
Two fences remaining but Jonbon opens up.
- Kieran Davies
Aintree 13.45
All horses close the gap as the field all takes the jump.
Marvel De Cerisy gives Jonbon a chance to close the gap a little more.
As they take fence number seven the three horses open a lead over Fusain.
- Kieran Davies
Aintree 13.45
Marvel De Cerisy leads with Jonbon in second.
Calico is in the third place, four lengths behind the favourite.
Rachael Blackmore has a good lead at this stage.
- Kieran Davies
Aintree 13.45 – race underway
With the small field, Jonbon is seen as a dead cert for this one.
Calico and Marvel De Cerisy will want to have a say about that.
The first race of the day is off.
- Kieran Davies
Tensions build towards the start
As the alcohol continues to flow, spectators are waiting with anticipation for the final day of the Grand National event to kick-off.
A short field for this one, not that it will worry many here.
There will be a lot of support for Rachael Blackmore in this one.
Credit: AFP
- Kieran Davies
13.45 Aintree
Here are the runners and odds for the first race of the day:
- Jonbon (Aidan Coleman) 2-9
- Marvel De Cerisy (Rachael Blackmore) 7-1
- Calico (Harry Skelton) 12-1
- Fusain (Brian Hughes) 22-1
Can Rachael Blackmore get her day off to the perfect start against the heavily-fancied Jonbon, we will have to wait to see, but not too long now.
May the fourth be with you
As head towards the first race of the day, the news is that we have a couple of non-runners in the race.
Both Banbridge and Notlongtillmay will be sitting this one out.
It means that the race will only have four runners.
Can't beat a bit of bully
Punters will be hoping to hit the target with the bookies today on the final day of the Grand National event.
Let's hope it is not a case of "let's see what you could have won" today.
The target for any gamblers up and down the country will be to be up by the end of the day for sure.
Grand National history at Aintree
In February 1839, the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase was run.
The race which evolved into the Grand National we see today was won by a horse called Lottery.
If ever there was a metaphor for picking a winner in the big race then this is it.
Ruby offers some gems for punters
Ruby Walsh has ridden some winners in his time.
Speaking to PaddyPower he has given his tips for the big race.
- Any Second Now
- Le Milos
- Velvet Elvis
Insider knowledge is always welcome today and Ruby knows his stuff.
Waking up to Grand National day
Horse racing lovers up and down the country will have woken up today excited for the big day just like Coko Beach.
The biggest day in the race calendar and even the horses cannot contain their excitement.
- Kieran Davies
Keep in touch of today's action
Throughout the day we will be keeping you up-to-date with any changes to the field at all.
As we edge closer to the first race of the day, spectators are enjoying the weather at Aintree.
Some racegoers keep an avid eye on our coverage online, or possibly their social media.
Credit: PA - Kieran Davies
Know what I mean Harry?
Harry Redknapp will be at Aintree today to keep an eye on his runners and riders in their respective races.
Whether you have a punt on his horse in the Grand National, it may just be good advice on how to spend your day.
Back On The Lash is currently coming in at 28/1 which is probably how the bars will look today too.
- Kieran Davies
Grand National field reduced
We have had news that one horse has already been pulled from the big race.
Escaria Ten, due to be ridden by Adrian Heskin will not be running.
The absence of the Gordon Elliott horse, which was coming in at 66-1, means we have a 39 horse field for the Randox Grand National as it stands.
- Kieran Davies
Hats off to ya'
The racecourse is starting to fill will racegoers making the extra effort for the biggest day of the racing calendar.
No doubt we will be seeing a big celebrity presence at Aintree today.
Final touches are being made in preparation for the day ahead.
Credit: PA Credit: PA Credit: PA
Source: Read Full Article
