Each week, our betting offers expert, Del Pugh picks several big races from the upcoming weekend meetings and briefly looks at the big-hitters and the current ante-post favourites, before declarations.

This weekend we have only one place to be, and that is Aintree for the 2025 Grand National!

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 *Odds are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.  Start times are for UK.

The Randox Grand National takes place on Saturday, with I Am Maximus looking to repeat the feat of his 2024 victory, when beating Delta Work by 7.5 lengths over the 4m 2f distance.

This year's race looks to be an open affair, with seven of the 34 runners available at 1/1 or shorter, led by the Gavin Cromwell-trained Stumptown (11/2). This cross-country specialist made it four wins in succession when taking the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham last month, beating Latenightpass by 7 lengths on good to soft ground.

Conditions are expected to be similar on Saturday, and with a rise of just 2lbs, this Keith Donoghue ride has a huge opportunity here.

The Favourite has won the Grand National in the last two editions

Just behind the favourite is the returning champion, I Am Maximus (7/1), with the Willie Mullins charge looking to improve on the couple of runs he has had since taking the victory, which includes an eighth in the Irish Gold Cup over 3m and behind the mighty Galopin Des Champs. He is more suited to the extended trip, but may need a little more cut in the ground, if conditions are as expected.

Next up is Hewick (9/1), who won last time out in a hurdle contest, but has not won over fences since taking the 2023 - King George VI Chase, ahead of Bravemansgame. Since placing second in the Grade 1 - Champion Chase at Down Royal in November, form has been a little disappointing, so it remains to be seen how he runs here.

Iroko (9/1) was an ante-post favourite at one point, but has drifted out, with the former Novice Chase winner unable to build upon that 2023 victory. Solid runs in handicap chases this year offer hope, while the drop in weight has kept him among the favourites. Unproven over 3m 1f, but can feature, if stamina holds.

Intense Raffles (10/1) was the winner of the 2024 Irish Grand National, beating Any Second Now by 1.5 lengths in the mud at Fairyhouse. A recent second in the Grade 3 - Bobbyjo Chase shows he is near his best form, but like others, there will be concern over the conditions underfoot, with the Thomas Gibney runner wanting the ground as soft as possible. 

Vanillier (10/1) won a Cross-Country race at Punchestown in February, and like Intense Raffles, loves the mud. He placed 14th in last year's National and comes into this contest off the same 10st 6lbs weight. Has shown improvement since that run and looks capable of improving on that performance this time around.

Behind these runners, Perceval Legallois (1//1) will look to build upon his two recent handicap chase victories at Leopardstown, while Minella Cocooner (14/1), who won the  Bet365 - Gold Cup Chase at Sandown a year ago, will be hoping to return to that level of form here.

Notable outsiders to look out for include Kandoo Kid (18/1), with the Paul Nicholls runner finishing third in the Topham Chase here last year, and Grade One winner Grangeclare West (22/1), who finished second to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup in February.

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