2025 Grand National LIVE: Latest news and updates from the world’s most famous steeplechase as I Am Maximus bids to retain his crown

DJ O’Keefe rides Hidden Valley Lake home first to pick up yet another Grade 1 victory for Henry de Bromhead.

Hidden Valley Lake jumps excellently over the last fence, opening a three-length gap to take the top prize in the Liverpool Hurdle.

Strong Leader finishes second as Jetara runs home third.

A lot of horses till in contention here with three hurdles to go.

Jetara takes the lead off Mommiral.

Race number four got off to a shaky start, with some of the bunch clipping each other’s heels.

Monmiral leads with seven fences to go, followed by Strong Leader.

Just under an hour to go until the Grand National.

Take a look at Paddy Power’s cheat sheet for a helping hand on who you should be backing.

One of the well-faniced runners for the Liverpool Hurdle, Teahupoo has been pulled from the 3:05pm race.

The change in conditions today could be the reason.

A £150million betting bonanza has bookmaker Paddy Power fearing an ‘absolute pasting’ from high street punters.

Grand National day is among the most prestigious in the sporting calendar and even more so when it comes to punters looking to win big.

Plenty descended to Paddy Power shops on the high street to place their bets with the in-store only eight-places each-way offer – one of the most generous offerings in Grand National history – catching the eye.

Typically bookmakers online pay out each-way on the first four, five, or even six finishers.

But Paddy Power’s eight-way offering is one-of-a-kind – and punters have shown an eagerness not to miss out.

5. Hiddenvalley Lake (14-1)

Winning jockey Stan Sheppard speaking to ITV after winning the William Hill Handicap Chase on Cruz Control:

He hasn’t been in the same form as he was last year, not even close to it

But he likes a bit of sun on his back… and it was a great team effort to get him back in.

I wouldn’t mind if he did it next year as well, that’d be even better!

Cruz Control takes the lead, Imperial Saint and Erne River lead the charge but the he can’t be caught.

He’s now a back-to-back winner.

Frero Banbou gets pulled up with six fences left to jump.

Imperial Saint still leads, with Richmond Lake following suit about a length back.

The two frontrunners Imperial Saint and Docpickedme remain three lengths clear of the rest of the pack.

Docpickedme takes the lead early on, followed by Imperial Saint and Charlie Uberalles.

Number two leads the bookmakers with 11-4, followed by Happygolucky at 4-1.

It’s a gorgeous day in Aintree and the spirits are definitely high.

Smiles all around following the opening two races of the game.

The William Hill Handicap Chase at 2:30pm.

For all you football fans, Harry Redknapp horse Shakem Up’arry is in the race.

Mark Walsh gets the win for Gordon Elliot’s team, he speaks to ITV after winning on Honety Policy:

He’s certainly well named, Honesty Policy.

He’s as honest as the day is long. I thought we went a good gallop, it’s only his fourth run over hurdle.

He’s still inexperienced but in fairness to him once he got going on the third last.

He never let his head off the ground and he got it the whole way up to the line.

Delighted for Gordon and all the team, it means a lot to them.

1. Honesty Policy
2. Regent’s Stroll
3. Funiculi Funicula
4. Koktail Divin

Honesty Policy wins the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle runners for the McManus colours ahead of Regent’s Stroll.

A theme is quickly developing here at Aintree today, with horses coming from nowhere, charging from the back of the back to take the line ahead of the leaders of the pack.

The pack is now bunched. Regent’s Stroll still leads but Kocktail Divin ridden by Rachael Blackmore, is running a good race.

Regent’s Stroll is in the lead by two lengths ahead of Koktail Divin, followed by Miami Magic with six hurdles to go

We’re underway in the second race of the day after a delayed start.

Miami Magic lost a good bit of ground with that standing start, but he is already moving through the field.

Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle runners

Here are your runners and their odds for the second race of the day coming up shortly.

3. Funiculi Funicula (12-1)

4. Good And Clever (12-1)

11. Regent’s Stroll (8-1)

There is no denying that the start to that race was a bit strange to put it lightly.

Every horse racing fan wishes for a rolling start, but the starter has got that wrong; some runners are still trotting when he gives the go-ahead for the race to start, resulting in a few of the runners falling behind early on.

Ruby Walsh on the starter:

I don’t want to be knocking the starter because I wouldn’t do the starter’s job for ten times the salary…

But yes, I think he has got it wrong here.

Whatcouldhavebeen is the one to look at in the blue colours as they come forward.

They are jig-jogging at this stage which is allowed but when they break from the jig-jog and go into a cantar, that can’t be a start.

I thought, good control, happy today.

It’s worked out nicely. He’s a good-moving horse and it was perfect.

It’s what it’s about, it’s where you want to be riding.

The opening win goes to Wales.

1. Deep Cave
2. Timmy Tuesday
3. Double Powerful
4. Park of Kings

Bill Joyce takes a fall on the sixth hurdle.

Building Bridges and Dartan have a comfortable lead ahead of the rest but Timmy Tuesday have made up great ground and now leads.

Just as Timmy Tuesday looks like he is going to take the win, outsider Deep Cave comes from out of nowhere to nip the lead from Timmy Tuesday.

The first race is in full swing, with all runners completing a circuit of the Aintree racecourse.

Building Bridges leads the pack with six hurdles to go in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle.

Many may be tuning into today’s racing at Aintree for the spectacle that is the Grand National, but that isn’t the only exciting race taking place today.

Here today’s full schedule:

• 1:20pm: William Hill Handicap Hurdle (ITV)
• 1:55pm: Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (ITV)
• 2:30pm: Freebooter Handicap Chase (ITV)
• 3:05pm: Liverpool Hurdle (ITV)
• 4pm: Grand National (ITV)
• 5pm: Maghull Novices’ Chase (Racing TV)
• 5:35pm: Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Racing TV)

Welcome to Mail Sport’s live coverage of the final day of jump racing from Aintree, featuring the highly coveted Grand National.

Where a field of 34 runners is expected to compete for the £1million hurdle steeplechase.

Last year’s winner, I Am Maximus, is aiming to secure back-to-back wins in the Grand National, a feat last completed by Tiger Roll back in 2018 and 2019.

But before we get to far ahead of ourselves, there is plenty of racing to happen beforehand.

So sit back, relax and enjoy Mail Sport’s fence-by-fence coverage of seven races taking place at Aintree today.