The Randox Grand National Festival has arrived in one of the biggest meetings in the racing calendar. The 34-runner field has now been confirmed for Saturday’s race, with I Am Maximus bidding to retain his crown off of top weight following last year’s success.
Racing fans from all over the world will be tuning in to the action at Aintree, and millions of pounds worth of bets will be placed. However, sweepstakes remain an incredibly popular part of the weekend.
From work offices to extended families, the draw adds another element of excitement to what is primed to be a sensational race. As such, Express Sport is on hand to provide you with a sweepstake kit to enjoy.
The race appears to be a wide-open affair, with several runners enjoying favouritism at some stage over the past few weeks following the scratching of Cheltenham Festival winner Inothewayurthinkin.
Click here to download your free sweepstake kit
Tom Gibney’s Intense Raffles proved popular in the ante-post markets previously but has drifted out to a double-figure price with some bookmakers recently. The change comes as a result of several gambles. Gavin Cromwell’s Stumptown has proved very popular among punters following his win in the Cross Country Chase last month, with many feeling that he will relish this extended trip after easily dispatching of a strong field at Cheltenham.
He had stablemate Vanillier back in third that day, who will also line up at Aintree for the third time in his career. The gelding has been well-supported since the race, having almost taken the wrong course before staying on stoutly up the home straight.
John ‘Shark’ Hanlon tipped his stable star Hewick to go off favourite on Saturday, and there is every chance that the Irish trainer is proved right. The 10-year-old has grown a huge following over the past few years after his shock win in the King George, his success in the United States and his celebratory pub trip.
Owner JP McManus has a typically strong hand for the race as well. I Am Maximus and Iroko are both prominent in the market, though Meetingofthewaters cannot be discounted either after being talked up by trainer Willie Mullins previously when the weights were released.
Our sweepstake will also be availble in Friday’s Daily Express