It’s fair to say that the Grand National fixture puts all other domestic meetings firmly in the shade next week. Kicking off on Thursday, 3rd of April, the three-day extravaganza builds to the crescendo that is the biggest betting event on UK shores, bar none.
If you prefer events on the level, the week concludes with one of the most valuable flat contests on the planet as the crème de la crème of the dirt performers head to Meydan. Much to look forward to as April begins in style…
Thursday, 3rd of April: Grade 1 Action on Opening Day at Aintree
Despite the hype, the Grand National is “only” a Premier Handicap contest. However, if top-tier action sets your racing pulse racing, Aintree doesn’t disappoint – those taking in all three days can savour no fewer than 11 Grade 1 contests so there really is something for everyone.
The festival opener of the Manifesto Novices’ Chase is an excellent contest in which to spot a future star, with Protektorat and Banbridge featuring on the recent roll of honour. Similar comments apply to the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, which was claimed by the sensational Sir Gino in 2024.
Hot on the heels of the two contests for the youngsters comes the Grade 1 double of the Aintree Bowl and the Aintree Hurdle. The former event attracts many of the same runners seen strutting their stuff in the King George VI Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup, whilst the latter is just about the classiest 2m4f event of the season and may be the next port of call for the mighty Constitution Hill.
Away from the Grade 1 contests, we get our first chance to see the formidable frames of The Chair, Becher’s Brook, Valentines, Foinavon and co, as the runners and riders set out over 2m5f in the Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase.
Friday 4th April: Topham Tops the Bill
It is easy to become carried away with the party atmosphere on the official Ladies’ Day at Aintree, but the action on the track more than matches the entertainment in the stands. The Mildmay Novices’ Chase, Top Novices’ Hurdle, Melling Chase, and Sefton Novices’ Hurdle create a thrilling Grade 1 quartet, but the biggest event comes over the big fences.
Always a magnificent spectacle, the 2m5f Topham Chase attracts runners who boast jumping as their forte but perhaps lack the bottomless reserves of stamina required for the Grand National itself. Following another dominant performance at the Cheltenham Festival, Willie Mullins looks set to send out the favourite for the 2025 edition in the shape of the talented James Du Berlais.
Saturday 5th April: Time for the Big One
Brilliant as events such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Champion Hurdle are, they can’t lay a glove on the Aintree Grand National when measured by public interest.
In Britain, no race matches the betting turnover or front-page coverage of the most famous jumps event in the world. Generating office sweepstakes at an unprecedented rate and inspiring grandmothers up and down the land to reach for their purses and pick out their once-a-year punt, this Merseyside marvel is no less than a national institution.
So, who will come out on top in 2025? With market moves for Gavin Cromwell’s Stumptown, Irish National champ Intense Raffles, and the lovable Hewick from the Shark Hanlon operation, there is a strong whiff of the Emerald Isle towards the head of the market. However, the Brit’s won’t go down without a fight. Iroko arrives with an attractive profile for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, whilst Kandoo Kid goes for Paul Nicholls, and Nicky Henderson bids to win the race for the first time with Hyland. A contest not to be missed!
Twelve million Reasons to Head to Meydan
With £1million up for grabs, the Aintree Grand National is the richest jumps race of the British racing year. However, they operate on an altogether different financial scale out in Dubai.
A little over an hour after the crowning of the Grand National champ, a field of the most talented dirt performers goes under starter’s orders for the 2025 edition of the Dubai World Cup.
1m2f is the trip for this international showstopper, with the small matter of $12 million in total prize money on offer. Japanese sensation Forever Young is the hot favourite to add to his Saudi Cup triumph but will face stiff competition from the hosts and the best of the US dirt runners. Not a bad weekend all in all!
