I Am Maximus heads Grand National confirmations

Randox Grand National 2025

Venue: Aintree Racecourse Date: Saturday, 5 April Time: 16:00 BST

Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live. Racecards, live text, results & reports on the BBC Sport website and app.

Last year's winner I Am Maximus heads the confirmations for the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

The Willie Mullins-trained horse, owned by JP McManus, triumphed by seven and a half lengths in the 2024 race.

There are 57 entries remaining, and a maximum of 34 runners will line up on the day after the final field and four reserves are announced on Thursday morning.

McManus is seeking a record fourth victory in the race, and he also has leading hopefuls Iroko and Perceval Legallois.

I Am Maximus would be the first horse to carry top weight to victory since triple winner Red Rum in the 1970s, and only one horse – Tiger Roll in 2019 – has defended his title since then.

Mullins has a strong squad which also includes Nick Rockett and Grangeclare West towards the top of the weights, although Capodanno was not confirmed for the race on Monday.

Mr Incredible has been barred from running after either being pulled up or refusing to race in his last four outings.

Others who were guaranteed a run but have not taken up the option are L'Homme Presse, Minella Drama and Velvet Elvis.

Gavin Cromwell, who trains Velvet Elvis, will still be strongly represented with Cheltenham Festival winner Stumptown, Perceval Legallois and Vanillier, the second-place finisher in 2023.

A strong Irish contingent includes bargain buy Hewick, who cost just £800 and won the King George VI Chase in 2023, plus last year's third-place finisher and 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo, and the 2024 Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles.

Rachael Blackmore, the only female jockey to win the race when she triumphed in 2021 aboard Minella Times, is likely to ride Minella Indo or Senior Chief for trainer Henry de Bromhead.

The 14-times British champion trainer Paul Nicholls has five contenders as seeks a second win in the race - Kandoo Kid, Bravemansgame, Threeunderthrufive, Hitman and Stay Away Fay.

Stable jockey Harry Cobden rides Kandoo Kid, while Johnny Burke replaces Bryony Frost aboard Stay Away Fay as she cannot travel over from France as planned.

Iroko has been aimed at the race all season by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, while the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Beauport will carry the colours of Bryan and Philippa Burrough, whose Corbiere won in 1983 as Jenny Pitman became the first female trainer to triumph.

Twiston-Davies, who has won the race twice before, is also set to saddle Broadway Boy.

Following the withdrawals, Celebre d'Allen, Three Card Brag and Twig are guaranteed a run.

Irish trainer Gordon Elliott has snapped up British champion jockey elect Sean Bowen in the absence of injured Jack Kennedy.

Duffle Coat is set to take the final place in the race, as he boasts a higher current rating than both Shakem Up'Arry - owned by former football manager Harry Redknapp - and Roi Mage, with all three due to carry 10st 4lb.