THE Grand National Festival at Aintree is entering fever pitch as we count down to the showpiece race.
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
- 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.
- Justin Lawrence
We're off!
Whizz Kid has rode into the lead early on.
But Richmond Lake and Gipsy De Choisel have waded into the fray.
- Justin Lawrence
Last but not least
Punters will be hoping the last race of the day will provide much action as the others have done thus far.
In just fifteen minutes, it's time for The Lydiate Handicap Hurdle to commence.
Whizz kid and jockey Cillin Leonard are 15-4 favourites to come out on top in the final bout.
- Justin Lawrence
Gelino Bello WINS
Gelino Bello 7-2 has won the race!
Gentleman At Arms 28-1 comes in at second.
Haute Estime 100-1 clinches third.
And, in fourth, it's Crystal Glory 11-2.
- Justin Lawrence
Race begins!
Skytastic has bolted into pole position as the race gets underway.
- Justin Lawrence
Looking ahead
The Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices' Hurdle is on next at 4.40pm.
And the favourite for this upcoming race is Banbridge at 11-4.
- Justin Lawrence
Top results
Mac Tottie 8-1 has cruised to an epic win.
In second spot we have Batcio 25-1.
The third spot is held by Annamix 50-1.
And in fourth, it's Francky Du Berlais 28-1.
- Justin Lawrence
Mac Tottie WINS!
Mac Tottie is the victor at the Randox Health Topham steeple race!
- Justin Lawrence
Janika leads
Janika has stormed past fellow racers into pole position.
And there's been quite a few falls following Fantastic Lady's early fall
- Justin Lawrence
Early hiccup
The race has begun but Fantastic Lady has fallen at the first hurdle.
And Royal Rendezvous has taken the lead in the early stages.
- Justin Lawrence
Not long to go
There's just a few minutes left until the Randox Health Topham steeple race gets going.
There will be 10 runners in the race.
And betmakers Paddy Power have got Mister Coffey at 5-1 to win moments before the race gets underway.
- Justin Lawrence
Up Next
The next race of the day is the Randox Health Topham steeple race.
And that will get underway at 4.05pm.
- Justin Lawrence
Fair D'ous
Fakir D'Oudairies' has become the first horse to keep hold of the Marsh Chase at Aintree since Voy Por Ustedes in 2009.
- Justin Lawrence
Top rankings
- D'Oudairies 10-11
- Hitman 11-1
- Sceau Royal 18-1
- Paint The Dream 28-1
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