The Grand National at Aintree is the world’s greatest steeplechase and an event that transcends the sport of horse racing.
As well as the marathon trip, huge field of runners and sheer number of jumps to navigate, the fact the Grand National is a handicap contest means it has produced plenty of shock winners over the years including 100/1 hero Mon Mome in 2009 and 50/1 scorer Noble Yeats in 2022.
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The Grand National 2023 is set to take place at Aintree on Saturday, April 15, but there is a lengthy process before the 40 runners and riders go to post at 17:15 BST including the publication of the weights.
You can find the latest antepost Grand National odds on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise everything you need to know about the Grand National weights is below.
When is the deadline for Grand National 2023 entries?
Grand National entries can be submitted until 12:00 GMT on Tuesday, February 7 at a cost of £1,100.
The race is open to horses aged seven or older, which are rated 125 or more by the BHA Handicapper. A horse needs to have started a chase during the current season, prior to March 28, and run over fences at least six times in their career by February 5. It must also have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a chase with an official distance description of 2m7½f or more, at any time during the their career to be eligible.
There are forfeit stages on Tuesday, March 7 and Tuesday, March 28 before confirmations on Monday, April 10.
The final field of 40 Grand National runners and riders will be revealed after final declarations on Thursday, April 13.
When are the Grand National 2023 weights published?
The BHA Handicapper’s ratings are crucial to determining which horses stand their ground and make the final field of 40.
The highest weight a horse can carry in the Grand National is 11st 10lbs – given to the top-rated horse(s) – while the lowest weight is 10st 2lbs.
2021 Grand National winner Minella Times carried top weight in last year’s renewal off a mark of 161 while Commodore, Romain De Senam and School Boy Hours were the lowest-rated horses at 142 and had to lug around 10st 5lbs.
The Grand National weights are published on Tuesday, February 21. That is a crucial date as no penalties can be incurred after the weights are announced.
Read These Next on the Grand National 2023
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- When is the Grand National? Aintree date, start time, runners and betting
- Noble Yeats heads 85 Grand National entries for Aintree 2023
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