If you cast your mind back to the cursed year that was 2020 then you’ll remember the Grand National – and Tiger Roll’s historic attempt to win the race three years in a row – was scrapped. A Virtual Grand National based on computer simulations was run instead, with Potters Corner emerging as the winner. Let’s be honest, it wasn’t quite the same but, barring another – and very late – twist in the coronavirus tail, it will be run for real this year. Hallelujah!
The world’s greatest steeplechase is just around the corner and it’s fair to say excitement is building at Paddy Power! If you want to know everything about this year’s big race then you’re in luck as Paddy Power News brings you a fact-filled guide below.
When is the Grand National 2021?
The 173rd running of the Grand National will take place at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday April 10. It is the crowning jewel of Aintree’s three-day Grand National Festival, which begins on Thursday April 8.
READ MORE: GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL RACE SCHEDULE
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What time is the Grand National 2021?
It will be an early evening start for the horses and jockeys with the 4m 2f 74yds race scheduled to get underway at 5.15pm. It’s the penultimate race on Saturday’s racecard at Aintree.
Will racing fans be allowed to attend the Grand National 2021?
The United Kingdom has been in and out of national lockdowns and tier systems since March 2020 due to the coronavirus. All horse racing was initially suspended until last summer when it restarted behind closed doors. A limited number of spectators were even allowed to attend racecourses up and down the country before a second wave of positive cases in the autumn.
The UK entered a third national lockdown to combat the rising tide of coronavirus cases at the start of January. Restrictions began easing in early March but punters will not be permitted at Aintree for the Grand National unless it is selected as a test event, with sporting events not set to welcome back crowds until May 17 at the earliest as part of the UK’s roadmap.
FULL STORY: ARE SPECTATORS ALLOWED AT AINTREE RACECOURSE FOR 2021?
Who are the 40 runners and riders in the Grand National 2021?
The deadline for entries passed on February 2 and a total of 106 horses will be gradually whittled down to the field of 40 runners and riders. The weights were revealed on February 16 before the first round of cuts on March 2. A second round of scratchings took place on March 23, with the five-day confirmation stage following on April 5. The final field and reserves were confirmed at the final declaration stage on April 8.
FULL STORY: GRAND NATIONAL 2021 RUNNERS, WEIGHTS AND LATEST BETTING
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What is the distance of the Grand National 2021?
The Grand National is the world’s greatest steeplechase for many reasons – and the lung-busting 4m 2f and 74 yard course covering two circuits of Aintree Racecourse is one. The runners and riders must navigate 30 jumps to have a chance of victory and it usually takes more than nine minutes for the winner to cross the line. It’s certainly a race suited to the very best stayers in the game.
Which horses have won the last five Grand Nationals?
2019 – Tiger Roll (Horse), Davy Russell (Jockey), Gordon Elliott (Trainer)
2018 – Tiger Roll, Davy Russell, Gordon Elliott
2017 – One For Arthur, Derek Fox, Lucinda Russell
2016 – Rule The World, David Mullins, Mouse Morris
2015 – Many Clouds, Leighton Aspell, Oliver Sherwood
What are the latest odds for the Grand National 2021?
Paddy Power are paying SIX places for the Grand National in 2021.
After the final declaration stage, Cloth Cap heads the market having won on his last two starts including the Premier Chase at Kelso in early March.
Any Second Now, Kimberlite Candy, Minella Times and Burrows Saint are all prominent in the antepost market behind the favourite. Secret Reprieve has also received plenty of backing although the 2020 Welsh Grand National winner is a second reserve and needs two horses to withdraw before 1pm on Friday April 9 to secure a place.
Discorama, despite managing just one chase win in his career, has been backed into 14s while 2019 Grand National runner-up Magic of Light is available at 16s. You can check the rest of the field by visiting Paddy Power’s dedicated Grand National tab.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
Read More on the Grand National 2021
- Grand National 2021 runners, weights and latest betting
- Grand National 2021 to be run without dual winner Tiger Roll
- Grand National trends to note when picking a horse to back
- Grand National punters flock to support Cloth Cap
- Grand National handicapper got it right with Tiger Roll
- Grand National joint top-weight Easysland to skip Aintree
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