Grand National: Race times, schedule & BBC coverage
- Published
Follow the world's most famous horse race here on the BBC with live text and radio coverage from Aintree.
Can last year's Grand National winner I Am Maximus become only the second horse since the legendary Red Rum in the 1970s to defend his title?
When is the Grand National 2025?
The big race is due off at 16:00 BST on Saturday, 5 April and is part of a three-day meeting which starts on Thursday.
Listen to commentary of the National on BBC Radio 5 Live and follow on the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport mobile app.
There will also be coverage of four races on Ladies Day on Friday on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.
Who are the Grand National favourites?
The 2024 winner I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins, is among the leading contenders for owner JP McManus, along with Iroko and Perceval Legallois.
The latter is trained by Gavin Cromwell, who also runs 2023 runner-up Vanillier and Stumptown, winner of the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Last year's Irish Grand National victor Intense Raffles and bargain buy Hewick, who cost just £800, are among other hopefuls.
Aintree schedule and how to follow on the BBC
Thursday 3 April – Opening day
Former champion hurdler Constitition Hill could face rivals including Lossiemouth in the Aintree Hurdle.
13:45: EBC Group Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f
14:20: Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
14:55: Aintree Bowl Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f
15:30: William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
16:05: Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase 2m 5f
16:40: Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase 2m
17:15: Goffs Nickel Coin Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race 2m 1f
Friday 4 April – Ladies Day
13:45: Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 3m 1f
14:20: William Hill Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f
14:55: Trustatrader Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m
15:30: My Pension Expert Melling Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f
16:05: Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase 2m 5f
16:40: Sefton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f
17:15: Hallgarten and Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle 2m ½f
Coverage: BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 14:00 to 16:15, with commentary of the Topham Chase also on 5 Live.
Saturday 5 April – Grand National Day
13:20: William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle 3m ½f
13:55: Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
14:30: William Hill Freebooter Handicap Chase 3m 1f
15:05: Liverpool Hurdle 3m ½f
16:00: Randox Grand National 4m 2½f
17:00: Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 2m
17:35: Weatherbys NHStallion.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race 2m 1f
Coverage: Build-up and commentary on the National on BBC Radio 5 Live from Aintree; live text commentary, reaction and reports on BBC Sport website and app.
Mark Chapman will present coverage on 5 Live from midday, alongside former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock.
As well as coverage of Premier League football, there will be updates and commentaries from Grand National day throughout the afternoon with the team of Gina Bryce, Andrew Thornton, Charlie Poste, John Hunt, Darren Owen, Gary O'Brien and Rob Nothman.
There is television coverage on ITV and Racing TV.
How many horses run in the Grand National?
A maximum of 34 horses and their jockeys will line up after the field was reduced from 40 last year for safety reasons.
Grand National course
Runners have to complete two laps of the Merseyside track, covering four-and-a-quarter miles and jumping 30 fences.
The Chair is the tallest of the 16 fences at 5ft 2in but along with the Water Jump only features on the first lap. The 14 other fences, which include Becher's Brook, Canal Turn and Valentine's Brook, are jumped twice.
The course takes roughly between nine and 11 minutes to complete, depending on conditions on the day.
What is the prize money for the Grand National?
The Grand National is the most valuable contest in jump racing with a total prize fund of £1m.
Racehorse owners receive about 80% of the prize money with the remainder mainly split between trainers, jockeys and stable staff.
1st place - £500,000
Second place – £200,000
Third place – £100,000
Fourth place – £65,000
Fifth place – £40,000
Sixth place – £30,000
Seventh place – £20,000
Eight place – £ 15,000
Ninth place – £10,000
Tenth place – £5,000
What is the weather forecast?
The forecast is mainly dry and sunny, with temperatures of 16C to 18C expected.
Officials have been watering the course and the going is likely to be good to soft.
Recent Grand National winners
(Year, horse, age, weight, trainer, jockey, odds)
2024 I Am Maximus 8 11-06 Willie Mullins Paul Townend 7-1 joint fav
2023 Corach Rambler 9 10-5 Lucinda Russell Derek Fox 8/1 fav
2022 Noble Yeats 7 10-10 Emmet Mullins Sam Waley-Cohen 50/1
2021 Minella Times 8 10-03 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 11/1
2020 - No race (Covid-19)
2019 Tiger Roll 9 11-5 Gordon Elliott Davy Russell 4/1 fav
2018 Tiger Roll 8 10-13 Gordon Elliott Davy Russell 14/1
2017 One For Arthur 8 10-11 Lucinda Russell Derek Fox 14/1
2016 Rule The World 9 10-07 Mouse Morris David Mullins 33/1
2015 Many Clouds 8 11-09 Oliver Sherwood Leighton Aspell 25/1
2014 Pineau De Re 11 10-06 Dr Richard Newland Leighton Aspell 25/1