The Grand National Festival at Aintree continues today after a blockbuster clash between Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth provided thrills and excitement on the opening day.
The Willie Mullins-trained Lossiemouth took victory in the Aintree Hurdle after Constitution Hill fell once more following a stumble at the Cheltenham Festival.
On Friday, Jonbon will face Protektorat in the Melling Chase and there’s interest in Romeo Coolio who hopes to shrug off defeat in the Michael O’Sullivan Novices Nurdle last month.
The Grand National main event itself takes place on Saturday 5 April and the field was confirmed on Thursday with I Am Maximus leading the charge once more.
The 2024 winner aims to emulate Tiger Roll and Red Rum in winning consecutive Grand Nationals but extra weight may hinder his chances in a strong field that includes Stumptown and Intense Raffles.
Follow all the Grand National build-up and action with The Independent’s blog, live from Aintree:
Grand National LIVE
- The Grand National festival continues on Friday 4 April
- Runners and riders announced for Grand National on Saturday
- Jonbon faces Protektorat in the Melling Chase at 3.30pm
Grand National wide open this year
07:41 , Mike JonesThe Grand National is just a day away as momentum gathers after a thrilling four days at Cheltenham Festival to leave the British horse racing calendar in full swing.
Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin appeared set to attempt a famous double at Aintree, but he was one of 11 horses taken out at the second round of scratches while a number of others withdrew at the five-day confirmation point, boosting hopes of an audacious repeat for I Am Maximus after glory in 2024 with jockey Paul Townend.
Inothewayurthinkin, who was the 3/1 favourite on betting sites after downing Galopin des Champs at Cheltenham, was attempting to become just the second horse after Golden Miller in 1934 to win both iconic races in the same season.
But his withdrawal leaves the likes of Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles, Iroko and Stumptown as the big contenders to stop I Am Maximus becoming the latest dual scorer after Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019.
Good morning!
07:31 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of day two at the Grand National Festival from Aintree racecourse.
Yesterday was a thrilling affair with fans of Willie Mullins celebrating in style as the Irish trainer won the first four grade ones of the day.
The peak was a victory for the Paul Townend ridden Lossiemouth who defeated Constitution Hill in the Aintree Hurdle after the latter fell down the final stretch.
Today’s action is headline by the Melling Chase in which Jonbon will attempt to put aside a poor outing at Cheltenham to triumph against Protektorat, El Fabiolo and Matata.
We’ll have all the coverage from Friday’s races at Aintree as well as build-up to the big race; the Grand National itself running tomorrow at 4pm.
