Latest Grand National Odds: I Am Maximus is getting backed heavily to go back-to-back

Today's the day. The one we've all been waiting for as the Grand National gets underway at 4pm this afternoon. The excitement continues to build and this is going to have an impact on the betting market.

As the hours draw closer to the big race at Aintree, the odds will continue to shift. There have been some noticeable movements this morning and I will run through the latest Grand National odds below.

I Am Maximus @ 13/2

Having started a little further down the odds list earlier in the week, last year's champion, I Am Maximus, has received plenty of backing in the last few days and there has been even been a shift in his price this morning.

He started off at 13/2 before shortening to 7/1, only to then return to the former price. Punters believe JP McManus' star, trained by the Closutton maestro Willie Mullins, can become the sixth horse to retain his crown in the National, after Abd-El-Kader (1850), The Colonel (1870), Reynoldstown (1936), Red Rum (1974) and Tiger Roll (2019).

The nine-year-old will be ridden by Paul Townend and he could share another piece of history with the iconic Red Rum if he wins this race off the top weight.

Iroko @ 8/1

McManus will be happy with the current shape of the market this morning as another entry, Iroko, sits just behind the defending champion at 8/1, having shifted from 15/2.

History could await McManus today as he bids to become the first owner in history to have four winners in the Grand National. He currently shares the record with three but a victory today would put him in a league of his own.

Iroko's focus this season has been on the National and he has maintained his handicap mark, which could work out in his favour at Aintree.

Betfred ambassador Jonjo O'Neill Jr is on board the seven-year-old here, who was the jockey who rode 100/1 shot Poniros at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Check out his exclusive interview with Betfred below

Stumptown @ 10/1

Gavin Cromwell-trained Stumptown is one who is going to have a lot of supporters in the National. Fresh off the back of an impressive seven-length victory in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, the eight-year-old is in great shape to compete for one of the biggest prizes of them all.

His transition from hurdles to cross country/bank chases this season has been admirable. Stumptown is a strong stayer and there are no question marks surrounding his jumping. He moved into sole favourite earlier in the week at 7/1, but he has since moved up to 10/1, falling victim to I Am Maximus' wave of momentum.

Perceval Legallois @ 10/1

What's this? Yes, it's another McManus runner, so the Limerick-based businessman boasts three of the four favourites on Saturday morning. He is another trained by the impressive Cromwell, and he has received a lot of backing in the last couple of days.

He is ridden by Mark Walsh, who has had some impressive victories in recent months, so there are a lot of thing working in the eight-year-old's favour, so don't bee surprised to see his price drop even further the closer we get to 4pm.

Hewick @ 11/1

Hewick, like last year, has proven to be popular in the betting, and he is another whose price could continue to drop in the final hours.

The 10-year-old is a cult figure in racing, largely thanks to the large personality of his trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon. Following Hewick's triumph in the US Grand National in 2022, Hanlon brought him to his local pub and treated him to a Guinness.

Hewick has an impressive CV which also features the Sandown Gold Cup, Galway Plate, American Grand National, and King George VI Chase at Kempton. He impressed at Thurles in his most recent outing and it is not surprising to see him gaining support here.

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