The Grand National 2025 has started, and horse racing enthusiasts are descending on Aintree for the big weekend.
The biggest date in the horse racing calendar is here, as The Grand National takes place this weekend. It is the most valuable contest in jump racing with a prize pot of £1 million on offer in total. The three-day meet started on Thursday with the big race set for Saturday.
Last weekend, the Cheltenham Festival wet the appetite of horse racing fanatics across the globe, and this weekend is set to be just as good. Those expecting to see Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin are not in luck as the horse was one of 11 horses taken out at the second round of scratches at Aintree. However, last year's winner, I Am Maximus, is back to try and retain his crown and become only the second horse to defend his title since Red Rum in the 1970s.
When and Where?
The Grand National takes place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. The most legendary festival of horse racing started on Thursday, April 3rd, but the big race is on Saturday, April 5th at 4pm.
Thursday is the opening day and features four Grade One races. Friday is Ladies' Day at Aintree and is all about the glamour and style of horse racing. Saturday is Grand National Day, the headline day of the three-day racing festival at Aintree Racecourse, which has the most iconic race.
Event Schedule: Dates, Times & Races
Ladies Day - Friday, April 4, 2025
1.45pm: The Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Milfmay Novices’ Steeple chase
2.20pm: The William Hill Handicap Hurdle Race
2.55pm: The Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle Race
3.30pm: The My Pension Expert Melling Steeple Chase
4.05pm: The Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Steeple Chase
4.40pm: The Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle Race
5.15pm: The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle Race
Randox Grand National Day - Saturday, April 5, 2025
1.20pm: The William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle Race
1.55pm: The Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle Race
2.30pm: The William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase
3.05pm: The Ivy Liverpool Hurdle Race
4.00pm: The Randox Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase
5.00pm: The Rosconn Group Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase
5.35pm: The Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
Full list of 2025 Grand National runners and riders
There are 34 horses in total racing in the Grand National on Saturday. One of the favourites to win is I Am Maximus, but there are many contenders, which you can see below.
Horse (country bred), jockey
1. I Am Maximus (FR) - Paul Townend
2. Royale Pagaille (FR) - Charlie Deustch
3. Nick Rockett (IRE) - Patrick Mullins
4. Grangeclare West (IRE) - Brian Hayes
5. Hewick (IRE) - Gavin Sheehan
6. Minella Indo (IRE) - Rachael Blackmore
7. Appreciate It (IRE) - Sean O'Keeffe
8. Minella Cocooner (IRE) - Jonathan Burke
9. Stumptown (IRE) - Keith Donoghue
10. Conflated (IRE) - Jordan Gainford
11. Hitman (FR) - Freddie Gingell
12. Beauport (IRE) - Sam Twiston-Davies
13. Bravemansgame (FR) - James Reveley
14. Chantry House (IRE) - James Bowen
15. Threeunderthrufive (IRE) - Harry Skelton
16. Perceval Legallois (FR) - Mark Walsh
17. Kandoo Kid (FR) - Harry Cobden
18. Iroko (FR) - Jonjo O'Neill Jr
19. Intense Raffles (FR) - JJ Slevin
20. Senior Chief (GB) - Darragh O'Keeffe
21. Idas Boy (IRE) - Harry Bannister
22. Fil Dor (FR) - Sam Ewing
23. Broadway Boy (IRE) - Tom Bellamy
24. Coko Beach (FR) - Jody McGarvey
25. Stay Away Fay (IRE) - Paul O’Brien
26. Meetingofthewaters (IRE) - Danny Mullins
27. Monbeg Genius (IRE) - Nick Scholfield
28. Vanillier (FR) - Sean Flanagan
29. Horantzau d'Airy (FR) - Ciaran Gethings
30. Hyland (FR) - Nico de Boinville
31. Celebre d'Allen (FR) - Michael Nolan
32. Three Card Brag (IRE) - Sean Bowen
33. Twig (GB) - Beau Morgan
34. Duffle Coat (IRE) - Danny Gilligan
Prize Money
The prize pot of the Grand National is £1 million. This is split between the riders from first to tenth place. The owners of the racehorse receive around 80% of the prize money, with the rest split between the trainers, jockeys and stable staff.
The prize money works out as such:
1st - £500,000
2nd – £200,000
3rd – £100,000
4th – £65,000
5th – £40,000
6th – £30,000
7th – £20,000
8th – £ 15,000
9th – £10,000
10th – £5,000
TV Guide: How to Watch
The Grand National is on free-to-air television through ITV. This is the only free-to-air TV channel set to broadcast the race on each day of the Aintree meet. You can also watch it online on ITVX. If you want to watch all of the races uninterrupted, you must have a subscription to Racing TV. Racing TV is available through its website or on its dedicated app.
Betting: Where to bet on 2025 Grand National?
You can bet on the 2025 Grand National at most betting retailers. Bet365 have an offer for new customers and special offers on the Grand National each day.