Experience the Ultimate Thrill: Why the Grand National Reigns Supreme as Sport's Greatest 10 Minutes

• The Grand National Festival kicked off at Aintree Racecourse on Thursday.
• I Am Maximus makes strong assertions to claim victory once more, yet guarantees do not exist.

"This Means More" is a phrase that was created. Liverpool Not too long ago, it was crafted with one of the city’s football teams in mind, yet it perfectly complements the Randox. Grand National .

Motorsport never ceases. We are pampered with the choices. Cheltenham Festival , Royal Ascot And among all those legendary classics, the race that captures everyone's attention, be you a seasoned champion trainer like Willie Mullins or someone who bets only once a year, is the grand spectacle of Aintree. This is what makes it so significant.

Certainly, the Grand National has faced increased scrutiny in recent times. Leading up to this festival, which keeps getting more popular, I've had numerous interviews where many have commented that things aren't how they used to be at the race.

It definitely isn’t the competition I admired growing up, where the barriers looked as towering as mountains. But this one seems too different now. The race has had to evolve, especially following the 2023 run, which was the first time ever that viewing made me feel uneasy.

Many would argue that the 2024 renewal was too easy to follow, but consider this instead: with the race tightening up near the finish and over a dozen horses still in contention, did those viewers who make watching their yearly habit fret much about how many of the competitors were trained by Mullins?

Most of the folks gathered at Aintree, as well as those watching from home, won't be concerned with fence sizes or how many horses an owner has entered when the race starts at 4 pm. Their main focus will simply be on cheering for their favorite horse to triumph and relishing the excitement of the event.

This occasion continues to be a national gem. Our viewership on ITV will likely triple compared to what we achieve on Cheltenham Gold Cup day, and I would debate anybody, anytime, that this still stands as the most thrilling 10 minutes in sports you could watch.

Who comes out on top then? The champion from last year, I Am Maximus, boasts very strong credentials. My peer, Sir Anthony McCoy, has mentioned him with growing enthusiasm, and it's clear how puffed up his trainer, Mullins, has become over him.

If you assume that being favored like I Am Maximus makes the storyline obvious, reconsider. There’s nothing predictable about races. Just look back to what happened last month at Cheltenham and then see how Constitution Hill stumbled once more on Thursday.

Trust me, identifying the victor has never been more challenging. If we look back two decades, one could easily eliminate half of the competitors at first glance. However, this time around, managing to exclude just six from the 34 contestants would be impressive. This competition boasts an elite lineup brimming with Grade One champions and top-tier talent.

Gavin Cromwell, this season’s top trainer, holds the key to everything. I hold him in high regard, and he aims to become part of an exclusive club by winning both the Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same year following Inothewayurthinkin's impressive victory at Cheltenham last month.

Cromwell might have entered Inothewayurthinkin, yet opted for three runners including Stumptown, Vanillier, and my top pick, Perceval Legallois, who was aimed at the Grand National after his impressive victory at Leopardstown during the holidays.

There’s a strong energy around him, and you can bet he’ll be part of the competition. Vanillier could put up a fearless display as he arrives at Aintree in peak condition; such an effort wouldn’t come as a surprise. Two years back, he finished second, though he underperformed over the past year. However, he showed good form with a solid run at Cheltenham just last month.

We've grown accustomed to Irish stables dominating our major races — it's been ten years since an English trainer claimed victory in the National. However, this year's home defense seems more robust than it has been in quite a while, with Kandoo Kid spearheading the charge for Paul Nicholls.

Nicky Henderson oversees Hyland, a grey gelding expected to thrive in firm ground conditions. He aims to enhance his stellar training record by breaking a 46-year drought at the National. Given all that transpired with Constitution Hill, everyone hopes for some better fortune for him this time around.

A fantastic tale would involve trainer Richard Phillips and owner John Rosbotham achieving success with Idas Boy; their aspiration for this has existed since they were at junior school together 55 years ago, and the jubilation would be immense should this dream materialize.

I feel the same way; backing the winning horse would be great. However, even if my chosen horses don't place at all, I wouldn’t complain as long as there’s some drama involved. What the Grand National truly requires is this sense of romance—the belief that anybody could triumph in this beloved event. By around 4:10 pm, I'm hoping to recount a thrilling tale.

Ed Chamberlin serves as a Sky Bet UK ambassador.

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