£250m to be staked at Grand National festival as I Am Maximus tops betting
The year’s most popular horse race, the Grand National, is expected to attract £150m in betting turnover in the UK and Ireland this year, with official Grand National betting partner William Hill anticipating the betting industry to see around £250m staked across the three days at Aintree.
Grand National tips: Bookmaker thinks 2025 could be a grey day at Aintree
Data from William Hill has revealed that backing grey horses has been no way of winning money on the Grand National.
Since the turn of the millennium, 62 greys have gone to post across the 24 renewals.
But of those runners, a mere seven have placed in the first five, and there has been just one winner since 2012.
Despite this, William Hill think it could be a good year for the greys, offering just 3/1 that any of the eight greys set to run will win the 2025 Grand National.
Grand National news: Gavin Sheehan’s horse Hewick has the quality, bravery and class to win
Irish jockey Gavin Sheehan, set to ride Hewick in Saturday’s Grand National, has told BetVictor that he believes the Shark Hanlon–trained 10-year-old has enough quality, bravery, and class to be competitive in the race.
The renowned jockey further explained how the Aintree event is the pinnacle for any rider.
Grand National news: Course changes are bad for the race but good for Hewick, says Gavin Sheehan
Irish jockey Gavin Sheehan, set to ride Hewick in Saturday’s Grand National, has told BetVictor that he believes recent changes to the fences and field size will have a negative impact on the race but could work in favour of his mount this year.
In a wide-ranging interview, the jockey also offered his thoughts on the Canal Turn being the toughest fence on the famous course.
Iroko best-handicapped National contender in likely absence of Mr Vango
Timeform’s best-handicapped horse heading into Saturday’s Grand National is the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained Iroko with a rating of 183p, ahead of the Gavin Cromwell-trained duo, Stumptown (182) and Perceval Legallois (181).
Bookies fear Irish domination at the Grand National
Official Betting Partners of the Randox Grand National Festival, William Hill, can report that three Irish-trained runners are their worst results in this year’s Randox Grand National.
Ryan Moore eyes Hong Kong Derby glory with Mickley in high-stakes return
Ryan Moore is preparing to return to Hong Kong to ride the John Size-trained Mickley in the HK$26 million (£2.6m) BMW Hong Kong Derby at Sha Tin on Sunday 23 March, one of seven rides he has picked up on the card.
Sir AP McCoy defends Jonbon and reflects on a dramatic Cheltenham Festival
Sir AP McCoy has told William Hill that he believes Jonbon’s stellar reputation has been unfairly tarnished after he was unable to break his Cheltenham Festival duck last week.
Speaking to fellow William Hill ambassador Nick Luck and reflecting on the week at Prestbury Park, McCoy said that he believes Jonbon’s standing has been unjustly derided after defeat yet again at the Festival.
Cheltenham Festival hero off to Newbury, Ahoy Senor Aintree-bound, says Lucinda Russell
Lucinda Russell has told William Hill that her runaway Cheltenham Festival hero Myretown will be aimed at the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, while Ahoy Senor will run at the Aintree Bowl.
The William Hill ambassador believes that Myretown’s spectacular victory in the Ultima will almost certainly be the final run of his season, with big aims set for next term.
Grand National Festival 2025: Dates, how to watch on TV, trainers and jockeys to watch
The excitement is building for the 2025 Grand National Festival, and Sports News Blitz is here to guide you through the biggest storylines.
Here, Callum Close tells all there is to know as Aintree prepares for another thrilling edition of this iconic event.
Grand National 2025 news: Inothewayurthinkin will miss Aintree, says Gavin Cromwell
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell says Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin will not run in the Grand National - but Stumptown and Vanillier will race at Aintree.
Speaking to William Hill, Cromwell reflected on Inothewayurthinkin’s Cheltenham Gold Cup success and explained the reasons behind his star chaser being scratched from the Grand National field.
Grand National 2025 news: Aintree on radar for Inothewayurthinkin after Gold Cup glory
Inothewayurthinkin is a full stone 'well-in' for the Grand National on Timeform's ratings after posting a much-improved performance to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup by six lengths.
If Inothewayurthinkin is given the green light for Aintree - where he has been allotted a BHA mark of 160 - he will bid to emulate Golden Miller and become only the second horse to complete the Gold Cup and Grand National double in the same season.
Cheltenham Festival news: Galopin Des Champs the favourite as Gavin Cromwell backs Inothewayurthinkin for Gold Cup
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell talks through his runners for Day Four of the Cheltenham Festival, suggesting Inothewayurthinkin can beat Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs.
And with the Festival having proved lucrative for bookies so far, William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps offers a breakdown of how things might pan out for them on Gold Cup Day.
Cheltenham racegoer wins dream trip to Las Vegas with BetMGM
For most punters, a day at Cheltenham is about backing winners on the track - but for Massimo Gallucci, the biggest victory came off it.
Cheltenham Festival news: Nicky Henderson backs Constitution Hill for Cheltenham glory at preview night
With the Cheltenham Festival just days away, legendary trainer Nicky Henderson is brimming with confidence about Constitution Hill’s chances of defending his Champion Hurdle crown.
Speaking at Old Gold Racing’s Cheltenham Preview Night at Clarkson’s pub, Henderson declared his superstar hurdler is “good to go” as he prepares to take on a highly competitive field.
Cheltenham Festival news: Ballyadam at his best, Ginny’s Destiny and No Ordinary Joe worth a shout
Ratings experts Timeform have highlighted three handicappers that have recorded standout figures at Cheltenham’s unique course, with last year’s Coral Cup runner-up Ballyadam topping the list.
Ginny’s Destiny and No Ordinary Joe, who both also finished second at the Festival last year, are two others not to be underestimated at Prestbury Park.
Cheltenham Festival 2025: Four days of racing excellence, betting tips and more
Every March, the rolling hills of Gloucestershire become the epicentre of horse racing as the prestigious Cheltenham Festival takes centre stage.
Synonymous with tradition, passion, and unrelenting competition, this four-day spectacle at Cheltenham Racecourse is the crown jewel of National Hunt racing.
Here, Sports News Blitz takes a close at the Festival, and offers up some free betting tips across the four days of thrilling horse racing.
Horse racing news: Cheltenham Festival 1/6 to start on ‘Good-to-Soft ground’
With an increasingly dry look to weather forecasts, William Hill think it looks very likely that the Cheltenham Festival will start on “Good-to-Soft” ground next Tuesday.
Cheltenham 2025 news: Harry Redknapp has high hopes for Shakem Up’arry
Cheltenham Festival-winning owner Harry Redknapp has told BetVictor that he has high hopes for last year’s Plate winner Shakem Up’arry, who could return to defend his crown this year.
Speaking exclusively to BetVictor, Redknapp said: “Last year, if you’d have told me I’d come away from the Festival with a winner and a second, I’d have been delighted.
“I’d always dreamed of having a Cheltenham winner so when Shakem Up'arry won it was an amazing day for me.”
Horse racing news: Cheltenham alternatives - Britain’s cheapest racecourses
An article from the Online Betting Guide has revealed the cheapest race day tickets in the UK.
The list ranks Britain’s racecourses from best to worst based on various factors, including ticket prices.
Cheltenham, Aintree, Ascot and others alike all score highly, but racing is a sport enjoyed by millions across the country.
For many, these top courses are often out of budget. In response, we’ve rounded up some more affordable alternatives.
Sports News Blitz’s horse racing writer Callum Close takes a look at Britain's top-10 cheapest race tickets.