Grand National Who to Bet on: Panic on the track of Merseyside

We are just one day away from the biggest event in horse racing, the Grand National, taking place at Aintree (Saturday 16:00 BST, ITV1). Everyone at Betfred is brimming with excitement for the four-mile spectacle, as I'm sure you are too.

Regular readers of our racing columns have probably had their bets decided for some time, but for those of you who are not frequent gamblers, I have run through a few runners that I believe are worth betting on in Saturday's showpiece.

I Am Maximus @ 7/1

I AM MAXIMUS knows what it takes to win this gruelling four-mile contest, having claimed the 2024 edition for Willie Mullins. At the time, he continued the trend for National champions, who have mostly been aged between eight and nine since 2015.

The 10-year-old is installed as the 7/1 favourite this year despite the last 11 renewals not going in favour of older horses. Pineau de Re (11) was the last winner over the age of nine back in 2014. Mullins has saddled the previous two winners in the National, with 33/1 shot Nick Rockett taking the crown 12 months ago.

I Am Maximus placed second on that occasion, and with his stablemate ruled out for Saturday, punters are backing I Am Maximus to become the first horse to win the race more than once since Tiger Roll in 2018 and 2019.

At 11st 12lbs, the son of Authorized is carrying the most weight coming into Saturday. Red Rum in 1974 was the most recent top-weight winner of the Grand National.

A lot of things are going against I Am Maximus but he is trained by the legend that is Mullins. The gelding is once again in the capable hands of jockey Paul Townend, who steered him to victory here two years ago.

Grand National Odds

Panic Attack @ 8/1

I Am Maximus has a lot to overcome on Saturday, but it is nothing compared to PANIC ATTACK. This 10-year-old is bidding to become the first mare to win the iconic race since Nickel Coin back in 1951.

Panic Attack is running for Dan Skelton's yard, who are still waiting for their first champion in the National. Skelton has had an incredible season in jumps racing, though, becoming the first trainer in history to surpass the £4m mark in a single campaign.

The Brit's record this year has been most impressive and punters have been paying attention. Panic Attack has been backed into second favourite at 8/1 after initially starting out at 12/1.

She caught the eye when storming to victory in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury back in November. Given how well Skelton runners have performed this term, the hype surrounding Panic Attack is warranted and victory at Aintree could be the icing on the cake for the Warwickshire stable.

Jagwar @ 10/1

JAGWAR is currently fourth favourite with Betfred and he is running for Olly Greenall and Josh Guerriero's yard, who also have last year's favourite Iroko declared for Saturday.

Jagwar is the right age range for a National champion going off the results of the past 11 years. However, there has been just one seven-year-old winner in that time - Noble Yeats in 2022.

Unlike stablemate Iroko, Jagwar makes his Grand National bow on Saturday. Both are owned by Irish businessman JP McManus, who also possesses favourite I Am Maximus.

McManus has won the National three times. Could Jagwar become his fourth victor?

For a full list of the runners and riders complete with Betfred Odds, check out our dedicated Grand National Betting Hub.

You can check out all of our Grand National Tips as well as the profiles for all the other horses running in the race on our main Grand National page…