THE Grand National Festival at Aintree is entering fever pitch as we count down to the showpiece race today.
All eyes will be on the superstar of the racing calendar as joyous punters return to Aintree for the first time since 2019.
We've got you covered here for ALL of the latest from Aintree plus Templegate's big race tips.
- Sweepstake: Print off Sun Racing's Sweepstake kit!
- Start time: Racing underway from 1.45pm
- Tips: Read Templegate's big race tips here
GRAND NATIONAL BETTING SPECIAL – LATEST OFFERS AND DEALS
- Sam Morgan
THE BETTING
Here's how the market stands at the moment for the Grand National.
8-1 Minella Times
10-1 Any Second Now
10-1 Snow Leopardess
12-1 Delta Work
14-1 Longhouse Poet
16-1 Run Wild Fred
16-1 Fiddlerontheroof
16-1 Enjoy D'Allen
16-1 Eclair Surf
20-1 Escaria Ten
25-1 Burrows Saint
28-1 Cloth Cap
28-1 Fortescue
28-1 Good Boy Bobby
28-1 School Boy Hours
33-1 bar
- Alex Cole
MOUNT IDA 2 / 5
Has talent and will enjoy this stamina test but doesn’t jump well enough.
- Alex Cole
BURROWS SAINT 4 / 5
Jumped and travelled beautifully 12 months ago until stamina gave way two out.
He kept on for fourth and is a year older and stronger.
Can make the places again for Willie Mullins.
- Alex Cole
BRAHMA BULL 1 / 5
Started season well with a third in the Ladbrokes Trophy but has been poor since and unseated behind Delta Work in the cross-country.
Tall order.
- Alex Cole
LOSTINTRANSLATION 1 / 5
Form has dipped and he was well beaten at Cheltenham last time.
Best has been over much shorter.
Hard to fancy.
- Sam Morgan
BOOKIES PAYING PLACES
It's worth remembering which bookies are offering what with regards places in the National.
Here's a breakdown of how it stands.
Sky Bet – 7 places
Betway – 7 places
Bet365 – 6 places
Paddy Power – 6 places
William Hill – 6 places
Coral – 6 places
Ladbrokes – 6 places
888 Sport – 6 places
Betfair – 6 places
All firms pay 1/5 the odds today, so if you back a 20-1 shot and they finish third, for example, you'll get your each way place paid at 4-1.
- Sam Morgan
BIG TWO STILL POPULAR
Minella Times, the 7-1 favourite, and Snow Leopardess, the 8-1 second favourite, have cemented their position at the head of Coral's Grand National betting, with the duo the best-backed runners so far on the big day.
"Although Minella Times – thanks to Rachael Blackmore – has replaced Snow Leopardess as clear favourite, the two contenders have remained the most popular throughout this uniquely busy morning, and at this stage it's impossible to predict which of the duo might be favourite come race time," said Coral's David Stevens.
"Other horses to attract plenty of support include Fiddlerontheroof, Good Boy Bobby, Run Wild Fred, and Dingo Dollar, all of whom have names that appeal to the once a year punters who love this day as much as any form claims they may hold," added Stevens.
- Alex Cole
RUN WILD FRED 3 / 5
Davy Russell rides and was second in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
Jumps well and guaranteed to stay.
Rain would help as he likes soft.
Not out of this.
- Alex Cole
ANY SECOND NOW 4 / 5
Unlucky third 12 months ago when hampered before finishing well.
More weight now but won a key trial nicely and is a good jumper.
Solid place claims.
- Alex Cole
SCHOOL BOY HOURS 2 / 5
Decent win in Ireland before costly mistake in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham.
Stays but would like it softer.
- Alex Cole
DELTA WORK 5 / 5
Beat Tiger Roll at Cheltenham when loving the cross-country course and stamina test.
Grade 1 winner at best and his class is a massive asset.
In the Tiger Roll colours, jumps well and looks the one to beat.
- Alex Cole
MINELLA TIMES 3 / 5
Last year’s winner has 21lb more to make life tougher but loves the track and his season's been based around today.
Place claims with Rachael Blackmore back on.
- Alex Cole
Grand plan
The biggest race of the year is finally here – and it has all the makings of an absolute cracker, writes Steve Mullen.
But with 40 horses to choose from (including three late replacements), 30 fences to safely negotiate and four miles to run, how on earth do you pick a winner?
Well, the good news is Sun Racing's top tipster Templegate has gone through every runner one by one just for you and given them a rating out of five stars.
We will post them on this blog over the next couple of hours as the build up continues!
Steve reveals his tip and tells you why it is the perfect horse to back – but will you follow him?
Don't forget to download the Sun Racing Grand National 2022 sweepstake to play with your mates, pick a winner and enjoy the best race in the world, which starts at 5.15pm on Saturday.
- Alex Cole
Good morning, horse racing fans
Punters weren’t disappointed after the second day of racing at Aintree produced as many thrills as the opening day did.
Although some racegoers called for a boycott of the Grand National as the price of a pint surged to an eye-watering £7.20.
It was Ladies Day on Friday and Langer Dan 4-1 was the winner of the first race of the day.
Jonbon – Evs F – edged to victory in the second contest – beating El Fabiola by a neck.
Ahoy Senior 4-1 won the third encounter at the Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase race for the second time in 12 months.
Fakir D’Oudairies 4-1 then completed the same feat as Ahoy Senior by winning the Marsh Steeple Chase consecutively in one year.
Mac Tottie 8-1 emerged victorious at the Randox Health Topham steeple.
Gelino Bello 7-2 attained glory at The Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.
And the last official race of the day was won by Hacker Des Places 10-1 with race favourite Whizz Kid finishing in fourth.
But it’s not over yet, and it’s the big one tomorrow with the marquee Grand National race still to come.
Over a 100 entries have now been whittled down to 40 going into the main event.
Last year’s winner Minella Times will be hoping to retain glory this time around.
But going by the results of the Virtual Grand National that took place on Friday night, victory will belong to Snow Leopardess.
While Minella could only stumble in at fourth on the simulator that uses algorithms to find a winner.
Finally, horse racing fans can catch the action from 2.00pm, and the last marquee race will get underway from 5.00pm
- Justin Lawrence
Virtual race gets decided!
And the Virtual Grand National has concluded!
Snow Leopardess has won the simulated race.
Any Second Now clinched second spot.
While third place belonged to Delta Work.
And Saturday's favourite Minella Times came in at fourth.
- Justin Lawrence
We have a winner!
Red Rum has clinched victory at the Race of Champions.
Arkle came close in second.
And in third, it was Kauto Star.
- Justin Lawrence
And we're off!
First up it's the Race of Champions that's getting underway ahead of the Virtual Grand National.
- Justin Lawrence
It's all in the Sim
The Virtual Grand National has raised more than £3m for the NHS since 2017.
It is a computer-simulated version of the Aintree race using outcomes such as age, weight, form and weather conditions.
Using the algorithms, Potters Corner was the victor last year. While in 2018, real-life National winner Tiger Roll correctly claimed the virtual version first too.
- Justin Lawrence
It's not over yet
There's one more race to keep fans entertained until the main event on Saturday.
And that's the virtual Grand National which gets underway at 9.15pm TONIGHT.
And we're here to keep you updated throughout the action.
- Justin Lawrence
Not-so friendly prices
The price of drinks at the Grand National has left racegoers fuming.
One pint has cost punters an eye-watering £7.20.
And the staggering cost for a single beverage has left people calling for others to boycott the race finale tomorrow in protest.
- Justin Lawrence
Facts and figures
The Grand National is set to attract 600million viewers globally on Saturday, April 9.
This year's competition had 107 entries to begin with.
But that has been whittled down to just 40 runners ahead of the finale.
- Justin Lawrence
Saturday schedule
It's the big one tomorrow and here's a look at the races leading up to the marquee Grand National race.
1.45pm: The EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle (Racing TV)
2.25pm: The Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (ITV 1)
3.00pm: The Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase (ITV 1)
3.35pm: The Liverpool Hurdle (ITV 1)
4.15pm: The Betway Handicap Steeple Chase (ITV 1)
5.15pm: The Randox Grand National Steeple Chase (ITV 1)
6.20pm: The Weatherbys Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Racing TV).
- Justin Lawrence
That's all folks
The Lydiate Handicap Hurdle race has rounded off an epic day at Aintree.
But don't despair as the horses and jockeys, along with a fun-filled crowd will all return for the last day of action tomorrow.
Tomorrow's finale will consist of The marquee Grand National race which takes place at 5.15pm.
- Justin Lawrence
Best of the best
In first place, it was Hacker Des Places 10-1.
Second spot went to Severance 5-1.
Washington 13-2 clinched third spot.
And race favourite Whizz Kid 3-1 came in at fourth.
- Justin Lawrence
Hacker Des Places WINS
Whizz Kid, Richmond Lake, and Gipsy De Choisel were all in close contention to win.
But it's Hacker Des Places that's defied the odds to attain victory at the The Lydiate Handicap Hurdle.
Source: Read Full Article