Grand National 2025: Date, start time, prize money and when are entries announced?

Paul Townend celebrates after riding I Am Maximus to victory in the 2024 Grand National - (REUTERS)

The Grand National 2025 is fast approaching with the Aintree meeting set to deliver another compelling race.

With 34 horses poised to arrive at the start line, I Am Maximus will hope for a repeat after a dominant victory in 2024.

But the Gordon Elliott horse is not the favourite this year, with Inothewayurthinkin topping the market.

The weights have been released for the handicapped race with I Am Maximus set to carry 11st 12lbs off a mark of 167 - it means the defending champion would be the highest-rated winner of the 21st century if it can repeat.

Here’s everything you need to know about the race and key dates and times to look out for:

When and where is the Grand National 2025?

The Grand National is on Saturday, 5 April and headlines a three-day festival of racing at Aintree racecourse, which begins on Thursday, 3 April. The big race begins at 4pm BST on 5 April. Aintree Racecourse, positioned just outside of Liverpool, will host the iconic race, with more history to be made this year on the Mildmay course.

The triangular-shaped course, which is just over 2m2f long, is one of the most challenging tests in the sport with a maximum of 34 horses, cut from 40 in 2023, battling for glory.

The race can vary in time, with Mr Frisk triumphing in 1990 in a breathtaking time of eight minutes and 47.80 seconds, but most years the winner crosses the finish line in just over nine minutes.

I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, on the way to winning the Randox Grand National at Aintree last year (PA Archive)

When are the horses announced?

The confirmed field will be published 48 hours before the race, with entries already closed, that list will be cut down over several key dates.

How can I watch on TV and is there a live stream?

More than six million fans tuned in to watch last year’s Grand National, which is on free-to-air television through ITV, with the channel set to broadcast coverage throughout the three-day Aintree meet.

But if you want full and uninterrupted coverage of all the races, you must have a subscription for Racing TV. Both ITV and Racing TV will provide live streams. ITVX and Racing TV are available through the websites or dedicated apps on your phone.

Prize money: How much does the Grand National winner win?

The pot for the Grand National is up to an eyewatering £1 million and the winning connections earn £500,000.

The rest of the pot is split up as followed:

Paul Townend celebrates winning the Randox Grand National aboard I Am Maximus (PA Wire)

How much are tickets and are they still available?

Tickets are still available and as cheap as £85 for the Festival Zone area, but if you want a seat, it’s £195 to offer fans an excellent view from the grand stand.

The opening two days of the meet offer cheaper tickets: From £31.50 to £130, while hospitality packages are available through The Jockey Club with more information here.

Grand National 2025 entries

Inothewayurthinkin 6/1

I Am Maximus 11/1

Iroko 12/1

Intense Raffles 14/1

Stumptown 16/1

Meetingofthewaters 16/1

Nick Rockett 20/1

Minella Cocooner 20/1

Kandoo Kid 20/1

Perceval Legallois 20/1

Grangeclare West 20/1

Three Card Brag 25/1

Montys Star 25/1

Beauport 33/1

Vanillier 33/1

Monbeg Genius 33/1

Galvin 33/1

Yeah Man 33/1

Lhomme Presse 33/1

Bravemansgame 33/1

Famous Bridge 33/1

Hyland 40/1

Broadway Boy 40/1

Surrey Quest 40/1

Limerick Lace 40/1

Gericault Roque 50/1

Velvet Elvis 50/1

Mr Vango 50/1

Envoi Allen 50/1

Minella Indo 50/1

Macdermott 50/1

Stay Away Fay 50/1

Hewick 50/1

Senior Chief 50/1

Gentlemansgame 50/1

Mister Coffey 50/1

Minella Drama 50/1

Twig 50/1

Threeunderthrufive 50/1

Malina Girl 50/1

Fakir Doudairies 66/1

Horantzau DAiry 66/1

Favori De Champdou 66/1

Fontaine Collonges 66/1

Appreciate It 66/1

Zanahiyr 66/1

Motu Fareone 66/1

Chantry House 66/1

Royale Pagaille 66/1

Capodanno 66/1

The Real Whacker 66/1

Pinkerton 66/1

King Turgeon 66/1

Where It All Began 66/1

French Dynamite 66/1

Trelawne 66/1

Coko Beach 66/1

Fil Dor 66/1

Fantastic Lady 66/1

Shakem Uparry 66/1

Richmond Lake 66/1

Idas Boy 66/1

Cruz Control 66/1

La Renommee 66/1

Mr Incredible 66/1

Apple Away 66/1

Desertmore House 80/1

Hitman 100/1

Stuzzikini 100/1

Minella Crooner 100/1

Farouk Dalene 100/1

Chemical Energy 100/1

Quick Wave 100/1

Conflated 100/1

Duffle Coat 100/1

Copperhead 100/1

Git Maker 100/1

Gevrey 100/1

The Goffer 100/1

Roi Mage 100/1

Spanish Harlem 100/1

Celebre DAllen 100/1

Busselton 100/1

Pats Fancy 100/1

Your Own Story 100/1

Escaria Ten 100/1

Placenet 150/1