GRAND NATIONAL week is underway as we approach the big one on Saturday!
We'll be bringing you ALL of the latest runners, odds and build up to the annual Aintree showpiece plus all of the results from the festival.
- ?BETTING SPECIAL: Get £150 in free bets for massive Aintree Festival
- ?Grand National runners have been confirmed
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- ? Download your sweepstake kit HERE
Follow ALL of the latest from Aintree below…
- Craig Mahood
1.45 AINTREE – THE PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE
UP THE RUN-IN
Tronador now starts to power clear after the last and is going away by a few lengths.
And the ONLY IRISH RUNNER in the big field goes in as TRONADOR WINS THE PERTEMPS under Jack Kennedy for Denise Foster.
- Craig Mahood
1.45 AINTREE – THE PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE
FINAL HURDLE
Edwardstone and Tronador travelling well into with Edwardstone.
- Craig Mahood
1.45 AINTREE – THE PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE
Kateson not good jumping four out and is pushed along for a stride or two.
Amarillo Sky and Stolen Silver next a Monte Cristo travels into it.
- Craig Mahood
1.45 AINTREE – THE PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE
Circuit to go and Kateson still leads the field.
Master Debonair, Amarillo Sky, Press Your Luck and Stolen Silver next.
Mister Coffey and Amour De Nuit the next two.
- Craig Mahood
1.45 AINTREE – THE PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE
Over the first two and they're all still standing.
Master Debonair chasing Kateson at the head of affairs.
Eight lengths separates the entire field.
- Craig Mahood
1.45 AINTREE – THE PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE
They're off this time!
- Craig Mahood
1.45 AINTREE – THE PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE
The flag is raised at the start as they come forward…..
FALSE START!
- Craig Mahood
1.45 AINTREE – THE PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE
The runners are down in timely manner at the start as we await a start to Ladies' Day.
- Craig Mahood
SILENCE
A two minute silence held at Aintree a short time ago.
- Craig Mahood
MONTE IN THE HUNT
Trainer Nicky Henderson is keen on his runner Monte Cristo in the first here, telling Unibet:
He ran a very good race at Cheltenham and he would have finished third or fourth if the horse in front of him hadn’t have fallen. He’s a strong traveller with a lot of ability.
Nicky Henderson
- Craig Mahood
PAY RESPECTS
Flags are flying at half-mast as the big screens pay tribute to Prince Philip after his death this morning.
It has also been revealed that jockeys at Aintree today will wear black armbands and a two-minute silence will take place before the first race.
- Craig Mahood
COUNTDOWN TO THE OPENER
15 minutes to the start of day two at Aintree and we start with a wide open affair.
Here's how they bet for the Pertemps.
PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE
Wilde About Oscar 11/2
Mister Coffey 11/2
Edwardstone 15/2
Monte Cristo 8/1
Solwara One 10/1
Whatsupwithyou 14/1
Tronador 14/1
Amarillo Sky 14/1
Jacamar 16/1
Strong Glance 16/1
Press Your Luck 18/1
20/1 bar
- Craig Mahood
? BREAKING: GRAND NATIONAL COULD BE POSTPONED ?
Tomorrow's Grand National could be POSTPONED following the sad death of Prince Philip.
A decision on the world's most famous race going ahead at Aintree will be made later today.
The scene at Aintree this lunchtime The Duke of Edinburgh passed away at Windsor Castle aged 99, it was confirmed today.
Prince Philip had been an honorary member of the Jockey Club since 1947.
He regularly accompanied the Queen, a high-profile owner and breeder of top racehorses, to meets including Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby.
And punters could have to wait to watch the showpiece event should bosses decide to push it back as a mark of respect to the late Duke.
READ MORE HERE
- Craig Mahood
TIME FOR MONEY
The money continues to pour in for Minella Times for the Blackmore/de Bromhead team in tomorrow's Grand National.
Now into second favourite with some bookmakers ?
- Craig Mahood
MOUR OR LESS
It's a wide-open opener for our first at Aintree.
And Paul Nicholls hopes the added cheek pieces will get a bit more out of him as he looks weighted to his best. He told Betfair:
He has done well for us over the years and has again been consistent this season after a long time off with an injury. He was far from disgraced in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last time but he is in the grip of the handicapper and hard to place so I am hoping that fitting cheek pieces for the first time can produce some improvement.
Paul Nicholls
- Craig Mahood
RESPECT
The Union Flag at half-mast above the Aintree grandstand to honour the late Prince Philip who died this morning.
- Craig Mahood
ICYMI – THE GOING
It remains as good to soft after 1.5mm of rainfall through the night and some watering on the track last night.
- Craig Mahood
HANDED THE POWER
They might have a nervy wait and potential £15MILLION payout if Rachael Blackmore wins the Grand National.
But Paddy Power have provided a lovely sign-up offer for the weekend.
And they offering punters a £10 free bet when they sign-up and bet a tenner on the festival at Aintree.
You can claim this offer HERE*.
T's and C's apply here
- Craig Mahood
40 TO POST
Tomorrow brings us the biggest betting race of the day – The Randox Grand National.
Name, number, colours or 'in the know'….how do you pick your winner from this?
- Craig Mahood
NOT LONG TO GO
90 minutes to go until we get underway this afternoon!
- Craig Mahood
LUNCHTIME TIPS
On your lunch break and poring over the afternoon racing?
Thankfully, Steve Mullen – Templegate to us – has been doing the work for months so you don't have to.
He has selections for EVERY RACE IN THE COUNTRY.
But here, we just bring you his Aintree fancies.
1.45 Edwardstone
Good run in the County Hurdle and should be right there again.
Edwardstone (left) at Aintree in November 2.20 Third Time Lucki
Went too soon at Cheltenham and this track should suit better.
2.50 Chantry House (treble)
Impressive winner at the Festival and can improve again.
3.25 POLITOLOGUE (NAP)
Proven Grade 1 performer who has won this race before.
Politologue 4.05 Pink Eyed Pedro
Has jumped the fences before and looks a big price for a place.
4.40 Bravemansgame
Good third in the Ballymore last time and looks the clear pick.
5.15 Leoncavallo (nb)
Went well at Cheltenham and has dropped down weights.
- Craig Mahood
AS IF BY MAGIC
Good timing Harry!
The Nicholls' Grade One winners pleased with their week's work this morning!
- Craig Mahood
HOUX'S GOT A CHANCE
Dusart could be anything for Henderson and de Boinville in the Novices' Hurdle, having won on his only career start.
But Paul Nicholls – who won two Grade One's on the first day – expects a big run from Houx Gris, telling Betfair:
Despite being a bit too keen he ran a cracking race in the Boodles Handicap at Cheltenham, travelling strongly, leading before the last and keeping on to finish fourth. The winner Jeff Kidder confirmed the form with a Grade 2 success at Fairyhouse on Monday. I'm sure the best is yet to come from Houx Gris who will enjoy the flat track at Aintree where we plan to ride him differently, drop him in and try to get him to relax better in the early stages of the race. We've been working on getting him to settle at home. Good chance against older horses.
Paul Nicholls
- Craig Mahood
THIRD TIME LUCKI
It could be a big day for the Skelton's on trainer Dan's birthday.
Harry is still fighting at the top of the jockey's championship and has a couple of fancied runners today.
Ruby Walsh told Paddy Power that Third Time Lucki has a big chance in the Novices' Hurdle.
I think THIRD TIME LUCKI didn't race economically in the County Hurdle – he got racing too early, made his move at the top of the hill and was one of two horses that went clear off the home turn. Ridden more conservatively or efficiently, he could be the one here. He was unlucky at Musselburgh when he made a bad mistake at the last and he showed himself well in the County and I'm willing to take a chance on him.
Ruby Walsh
- Craig Mahood
IRISH TAKEOVER
Haydock Park again hosts the Irish contingent and Noel Meade, Paul Nolan and Henry de Bromhead's horses were out enjoying a stretch of the legs this morning.
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