Guide to the 2021 Randox Grand National
When does the 2021 Grand National take place?
The Randox Grand National gets underway at 5:15pm on Saturday 10th April at Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside.
Where can I watch the 2021 Grand National?
Full live coverage of the race for UK viewers is available on ITV. Alternatively you can subscribe to Racing TV for full coverage of every race in the three-day Grand National meeting.
Are tickets still available?
Due to the continued Covid-19 restrictions, no general spectators will be allowed into Aintree for the 2021 Grand National and admission will be restricted to owners, trainers, jockeys and all other officials.
Latest Grand National News
You can check out all the latest developments ahead of the race at our Grand National News page. Here you will also find the latest betting odds and race previews as well as runner and rider updates.
Who is favourite to win the 2021 Grand National?
Cloth Cap is firm favourite for the Grand National, the Jonjo O’Neill-trained runner likely to be sent off at extremely short odds to win for owner Trevor Hemmings. The gelding triumphed in the Ladbrokes Trophy early this term before winning a Listed race at Kelso earlier this month. Given that this latter win came after the Grand National weights were announced, the nine-year-old is a stone ‘well-in’. This means that he is well ahead of the handicapper.
There are other runners prominent in the betting such as Burrows Saint, Minella Times and Any Second Now. Minella Times is being ridden by Cheltenham Festival 2021 top-jockey Rachael Blackmore who has high hopes of becoming the first female jockey to win the National.
Race Description
The Grand National is a gruelling test of stamina, however luck plays a massive part in this race, more so than any other. The steeplechase is run over a distance of 4 miles, 2 furlongs and 74 yards and during the course of the race some 30 fences need to be jumped. These obstacles include the infamous Becher’s Brook which is renowned for its very steep landing and needs to be negotiated twice. The Chair is another testing fence, being tall and very deep with the ground on landing slightly raised. Following the Chair is the water jump which needs to be jumped just once.
The Grand National is open to runners which have been rated 125 or more and are at least seven years of age. Entries must have finished any steeplechase in the first four over a distance of at least 2 miles 7 furlongs and 110 yards. They must also have run in three steeplechases at the very least.
Grand National Runners & Riders
Visit our Grand National Runners & Riders page for a full list of 2021 Grand National entries and latest betting odds.
