Postpublished at 14:59 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Image source, Getty ImagesAbsolutely packed for the final day of racing at Aintree. It is so good to have the crowd back for the first time in three years.
Summary
50-1 Noble Yeats wins 174th Grand National at Aintree
Amateur Sam Waley-Cohen, 39, rides winner in final race before retirement
Waley-Cohen, CEO of a chain of dental practices, announced decision to retire on Thursday
15-2 favourite Any Second Now comes second, Delta Work third, Santini fourth
Rachael Blackmore and 2021 winner Minella Times fall at ninth fence
Discorama suffers fatal pelvic injury
15 of the 40-strong field finish
Postpublished at 14:59 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Image source, Getty Images15:00 Poundland Maghull Novices Chase (2m)published at 14:54 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Edwardstone is bidding for a big-race Festival double after success in the Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham last month.
His season started disappointingly when he was brought down at Warwick but since then he has won five times over fences.
Gentleman De Mee and Third Time Lucki look to be the main challengers.
Image source, Getty ImagesElle Est Belle and Captain Conbypublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
There is concern for both Elle Est Belle and Captain Conby after the last race. We are awaiting an official update.
A signature in demandpublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Here's the woman of the moment.
Just over two hours until the Grand National gets under way, will Rachael Blackmore make more history?
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on TwitterThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip twitter postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of twitter post'Like sausages and beans'published at 14:45 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Davy Russell, who just rode Three Stripe Life to victory in the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle just said racing and Aintree was like "sausages and beans".
I can't decide if that's a brilliant comparison or a terrible one.
Get involved - who are you backing and why?published at 14:42 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
#bbcracing
Matt Goff: One of my favourite days of the year - Grand National Day! Brings back memories of Tupps going to the bookies for me when I was a kid - 50p ew on Greasepaint please! Fiddler on the Roof for me today
Bookies back at the Nationalpublished at 14:35 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at AintreeAs well as spectators, bookmakers have been missing from the Grand National for three years because of Covid-19 restrictions.
David Johnson, who works for the family firm of on-course bookies Paul Johnson, told me: "We have not been here for the National since 2019.
"It's massively important to be back and a huge part of our business comes from these big races.
"The crowds have been good, today is sold out and you can tell people have missed it.
"Minella Times would be our worst loser - racegoers just want to back whatever Rachael Blackmore is riding."
Full resultpublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
1 Three Stripe Life (Davy Russell) 5-2 Fav
2 Might I (Sean Bowen) 16-1
3 North Lodge (Adrian Heskin) 11-2
12 ran
Three Stripe Life winspublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
BreakingAnd Three Stripe Life storms away to win the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle.
Might I finishes in second with North Lodge third. Stage Star lead for a long while but just ran out of steam.
Postpublished at 14:30 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Stage Star was leading comfortably but is dropping away now and instead Three Stripe Life is moving clear!
Postpublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Walking On Air makes a mistake with nine to go and loses second to Good Risk At All. Stage Star stays out in front.
Postpublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Stage Star leads the way by a length and a half in the early stages.
They're offpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
The Betway Mersey Novices Hurdle is under way!
14:25 Betway Mersey Novices Hurdle (2m 4f)published at 14:20 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
The first of three Grade Ones on the card and Gordon Elliott, who is bidding for a fourth Grand National later on, has a strong contender here in Three Stripe Life.
Ridden by Davy Russell, the six-year-old was second in three Grade Ones already this year and will be hoping to make that final step.
The Nicky Henderson-trained Walking On Air will be bidding to step up in level in only his third run under Rules.
Image source, Getty ImagesGrand National contenders - Snow Leopardesspublished at 14:17 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Image source, Getty ImagesVictory for Snow Leopardess would be one of the most heart-warming stories in Aintree history.
The ten-year-old has returned to action after giving birth to a foal and is bidding to be first mother to win the race, as well as the first mare to triumph since Nickel Coin in 1951.
The grey has won three out of her three races this season, including at Aintree in December over the National fences in the Becher Chase to mark her out as a contender.
She is owned and bred by Marietta Fox-Pitt, whose son William is a three-time Olympic equestrian medallist.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on TwitterThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Skip twitter postThe BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
End of twitter postWill there be more success for the Walsh family?published at 14:14 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Katie Walsh
Former Grand National jockey on BBC Radio 5 LiveAny Second Now (trained by Walsh's father Ted) is in really good form and travelled over well. He has plenty of weight but is here in good form. Once he gets around safe and sound it is all you can ask for.
Aintree has fantastic memories for the whole Walsh family, going back to Papillon winning in 2000, and to be involved with and ride in such a special race you feel so lucky and privileged.
It is all about the National in our house. Dad loves a National horse - a good staying chaser - and we’ve been lucky to have a few come through the yard. Ever since this horse finished third last year it was about getting him back and we have accomplished that.
Postpublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Image source, Getty ImagesAintree is looking good now after some short but sudden showers caught out race goers this morning.
There was even some suggestion, external of a bit of snow earlier, too. A sign for Snow Leopardess?
Image source, Getty ImagesGet involved - who are you backing and why?published at 14:06 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
#bbcracing
This House: Snow Leopardess. Only Mare in the race but loves the fences, isn’t too heavy in the handicap and will last the trip. She will put the boys to shame.
Virtual pointers to the National?published at 14:05 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at AintreeIf you believe in omens, then you might be interested in the result of the Virtual Grand National - Snow Leopardess won an animated version of the real thing.
Steve Rogers of Inspired Entertainment, which creates the CGI races for a TV special, said: "The team have been working on this virtual race and on the race prediction algorithm for months.
"We use the latest technology including artificial intelligence software to create the most life-like representation.
"In 2017 the winner of the Virtual Grand National came second in the real race, in 2018 Tiger Roll won both, and the computer has been very close on the final position of other runners and riders."
Image source, Virtual Grand NationalGrand National oddspublished at 14:00 British Summer Time 9 April 2022
Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at AintreeMinella Tiimes, Any Second Now and Snow Leopardess are vying for favouritism in the Grand National as it stands, but it could all change as the afternoon unfolds.
Approximate odds: 9-1 Any Second Now, Snow Leopardess, Minella Times;12-1 Longhouse Poet;14-1 Delta Work, Eclair Surf; Fiddlerontheroof; Run Wild Fred;16-1 Enjoy D'Allen; 20-1 Escaria Ten; 25-1 Bar.