The 2025 Grand National is upon us, with bets being placed on which horses could triumph around Aintree Racecourse on Merseyside.
I Am Maximus, last year’s winner, is the favourite to win a second title, with action at Aintree kicking off with warm-up events from Thursday.
FOLLOW THE 2025 GRAND NATIONAL LIVE!
The National is one of the biggest events on the British sporting calendar, with workplaces and friends often running a sweepstake to pick a horse to back.
If you're planning one for 2025, read on to find out how.
Grand National sweepstake guide
Thanks to GG.co.uk, we have two versions of the sweepstake for you and your friends to use.
To join in, print this grid, cut out the names, place them in a hat, and distribute them among players. You can download both versions in hi-res here.
Who are the favourites to win the Grand National 2025 with the bookies?
I Am Maximus, last year’s winner under Paul Townend, was sent off the 7/1 joint-favourite and galloped clear to win by almost eight lengths — a good bet for 2025. This year, the horse is 11-12.
Times racing editor Rob Wright has picked out Stumptown at 8-1 as worth a punt, writing: “Comes here on a roll, having won on his past four starts, most recently landing the Cross-Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
“He appears to be in his prime at the age of eight and cannot be ruled out.”
What about the ban on drones?
However, you choose to follow the National, it will not be via drones — these have been banned from flying over Aintree.
Police have imposed a temporary flight restriction zone over the Merseyside course for the three-day festival, specifically targeting drones. It is believed that drone footage could unfairly favour gamblers placing ‘in-play’ bets by streaming images a few seconds before TV broadcasts.
The no-fly zone is part of a security operation for the famous steeplechase, which attracts more than 150,000 spectators. The 2023 race was delayed when animal rights protesters gained access to the course.
Chief Inspector Iain Wyke, Merseyside Police's Grand National Festival event commander, said: "As always, our policing plans for the Grand National Festival are extensive and take into consideration land, sea and air.
"Specialist resources, made up of Merseyside Police officers and officers from regional and national teams, including air support, will be in place for the duration of the event and we are also working with partners including the local authority, other emergency services, and businesses in the community to ensure this is a safe and secure event."
