One of the many sporting events to suffer last year during the pandemic is back in 2021, with the Grand National at Aintree fast approaching.
Back in 2019, the winner was Tiger Roll, ridden by Davy Russell, with the horse winning back-to-back Nationals – the first time for that particular achievement since Red Rum in 1974. However, Tiger Roll will not be aiming for three-in-a-row this year as he was rated one pound off the top weight. The final 40 horses are yet to be confirmed. The runner-up two years ago, Magic Of Light, is hoping to become the first mare to win the world’s most famous steeplechase event since 1951.
At least three female jockeys will be riding in the National, including Rachael Blackmore and Bryony Frost, while Tom Scudamore is hoping to ride the favourite Cloth Cap to victory and emulate his grandfather, who won the National in 1959 on Oxo.
There are some reports suggesting that the race could yet be put back a week, after the government announced a new plan to move out of lockdown which includes high street shops – including bookies – reopening from Monday 12 April. That would allow casual punters to place a bet in-shop and bring some much-needed respite from those high street operators who have seen a dramatic fall in intake over the past year. However, no such confirmation of any change has emerged, so it’s currently full steam ahead for the final few days of build-up.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the National.
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When is the Grand National 2021?
Aintree’s Grand National meeting runs from Thursday, 8 April through to Saturday, 10 April. The main event, the National, is presently set for Saturday, with runners going to post for 5:15pm.
Where can I watch it?
Live coverage will be televised on ITV 1. Streaming will also be available via the ITV Hub.
Who is running?
Current entries, allotted weights, owners and trainers
*Correct as of 6 April. Final field of 40 to be confirmed.
Bristol de Mai (FR) 10 11 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies
The Storyteller (IRE) 10 11 8 Mrs Pat Sloan Mrs Denise Foster
Chris’s Dream (IRE) 9 11 7 Robcour Henry de Bromhead
Yala Enki (FR) 11 11 3 Hills of Ledbury Ltd Paul Nicholls
Ballyoptic (IRE) 11 11 1 Mills & Mason Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies
Definitly Red (IRE) 12 11 1 Phil & Julie Martin Brian Ellison
Lake View Lad (IRE) 11 11 0 Mr Trevor Hemmings N. W. Alexander
Burrows Saint (FR) 8 10 13 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins
Magic of Light (IRE) 10 10 13 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Mrs J. Harrington
Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 11 10 12 Slaneyville Syndicate W. P. Mullins
Anibale Fly (FR) 11 10 12 Mr John P. McManus A. J. Martin
Mister Malarky (GB) 8 10 12 Wendy & Malcolm Hezel Colin Tizzard
Talkischeap (IRE) 9 10 12 Charles Dingwall Alan King
Tout Est Permis (FR) 8 10 12 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade
Kimberlite Candy (IRE) 9 10 10 Mr John P. McManus Tom Lacey
Any Second Now (IRE) 9 10 9 Mr John P. McManus T. M. Walsh
Balko des Flos (FR) 10 10 9 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead
Alpha des Obeaux (FR) 11 10 9 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
Ok Corral (IRE) 11 10 8 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson
Takingrisks (IRE) 12 10 7 Mr Frank Bird Nicky Richards
Shattered Love (IRE) 10 10 7 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
Jett (IRE) 10 10 7 Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Mrs J. Harrington
Lord du Mesnil (FR) 8 10 6 Mr Paul Porter & Mike & Mandy Smith Richard Hobson
Potters Corner (IRE) 11 10 6 All Stars Sports Racing & J Davies Christian Williams
Class Conti (FR) 9 10 6 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins
Milan Native (IRE) 8 10 6 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
Discorama (FR) 8 10 6 Thomas Friel/Andrew Gemmell Paul Nolan
Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 12 10 5 Prof Caroline Tisdall & Mr John Gent David Pipe
Cloth Cap (IRE) 9 10 5 Mr Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O’Neill
Cabaret Queen (GB) 9 10 5 Syndicates.Racing W. P. Mullins
Minellacelebration (IRE) 11 10 5 Mr Nick Elliott Katy Price
Canelo (IRE) 8 10 4 Mr John P. McManus Alan King
The Long Mile (GB) 7 10 4 Mr John P. McManus J.P.Dempsey
Give Me A Copper (IRE) 11 10 4 Done, Ferguson, Mason, Nicholls & Wood Paul Nicholls
Farclas (FR) 7 10 3 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
Minella Times (IRE) 8 10 3 Mr John P. McManus Henry de Bromhead
Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 12 10 3 Ms G. Howell Georgie Howell
Hogan’s Height (IRE) 10 10 3 Foxtrot Racing: Hogan’s Height Jamie Snowden
Double Shuffle (IRE) 11 10 2 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George
Ami Desbois (FR) 11 10 2 The Reserved Judgment Partnership Graeme McPherson
Blaklion (GB) 12 10 2 Darren & Annaley Yates Dan Skelton
Some Neck (FR) 10 10 1 Some Neck Partnership John McConnell
Secret Reprieve (IRE) 7 10 1 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams
Kauto Riko (FR) 10 9 13 Mr and Mrs J.Dale and Partners Tom Gretton
Fagan (GB) 11 9 13 Mr Ben Brackenbury Alex Hales
Deise Aba (IRE) 8 9 13 Mr Trevor Hemmings Philip Hobbs
Valtor (FR) 12 9 13 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson
Golan Fortune (IRE) 9 9 13 P Middleton, M Lowther Phil Middleton
Run Wild Fred (IRE) 7 9 11 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
The Hollow Ginge (IRE) 8 9 11 The Ginge Army Nigel Twiston-Davies
Captain Drake (IRE) 8 9 11 Gary Stevens and Brian and Sandy Lambert Harry Fry
Another Venture (IRE) 10 9 11 Racing For Maggie’s Partnership Kim Bailey
Crievehill (IRE) 9 9 11 Highclere T’Bred Racing- Crievehill Nigel Twiston-Davies
Flying Angel (IRE) 10 9 10 Mr R. J. Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies
Prime Venture (IRE) 10 9 10 Mrs Janet Davies Evan Williams
Le Breuil (FR) 9 9 10 Mrs Emma Palmer Ben Pauling
Hold The Note (IRE) 7 9 9 Mr T. P. Radford Mick Channon
Plan of Attack (IRE) 8 9 9 Mr A. Halsall Henry de Bromhead
Roaring Bull (IRE) 8 9 9 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
Dounikos (FR) 10 9 9 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
Musical Slave (IRE) 8 9 8 Mr John P. McManus Philip Hobbs
Soupy Soups (IRE) 10 9 8 Equi ex Incertis Partners Neil Mulholland
Beau Bay (FR) 10 9 7 Mr Peter Green & Dr RDP Newland Dr Richard Newland
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 11 9 7 David Maxwell Racing Limited Paul Nicholls
Hear No Evil (IRE) 9 9 7 Mr Patrick Joseph McCartan Noel C. Kelly
Monbeg Notorious (IRE) 10 9 6 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
Aforementioned (FR) 8 9 5 Gigginstown House Stud Mrs Denise Foster
Fingerontheswitch (IRE) 11 9 3 Cahill, Atwell & Crofts Neil Mulholland
Odds
Cloth Cap 4/1
Burrows Saint 8/1
Kimberlite Candy 10/1
Any Second Now 10/1
Minella Times 10/1
Secret Reprieve 12/1
Discorama 14/1
The Storyteller 14/1
Magic Of Light 20/1
Potters Corner 20/1
Bristol De Mai 25/1
Anibale Fly 25/1
Milan Native 25/1
Acapella Bourgeois 25/1
Farclas 25/1
Mister Malarky 33/1
Balko Des Flos 33/1
Class Conti 33/1
Lord Du Mesnil 33/1
Canelo 33/1
Lake View Lad 33/1
Yala Enki 33/1
Double Shuffle 40/1
All remaining runners at 40/1 or greater
