Grand National 2023 LIVE: Results, reaction and latest updates after dramatic day at Aintree

A relatively predictable start to the day as Jonbon races over the finish line in first place. Rachael Blackmore and Marvel De Cerisy come second with Fusain third after Calico fell.

Calico falls at the last! He’d just overtaken Marvel De Cerisy but stumbles on the approach to the finish.

No-one’s going to catch Jonbon though.

Four jumps out from the finish and Jonbon breezes into the lead. He’ll take some catching now as Aidan Coleman kicks him up another gear.

Rachael Blackmore’s Marvel De Cerisy leads early on with Jonbon a couple of lengths back in second.

This should be a straight shootout between these two horses with Calico third and Fusain fourth as they approach fence seven.

And they’re off! The first race of the Grand National Day has started.

It’s a small field with Jonbon the heavy favourite to win. Can he do it?

It’s almost time for the first race of the day.

Jonbon is the heavy favourite to take this opening Grade 3 hurdle but he’ll face competition from Marvel De Cerisy ridden by Rachael Blackmore.

Calico and Fusain are the only other two horses in this race after Banbridge and Notlongtillmay pulled out ahead of the start.

Horseracing expert Ruby Walsh has had his say on which horses he is fancying to win the Grand National later on.

“In terms of Willie Mullins’ horses, Gaillard Du Mesnil obviously won the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. I think he had a hard-enough race there. He has a chance.” he told Paddy Power.

“Mr Incredible has his own way of doing things, lives his own life, does his own training regime, doesn’t really comply with anything anybody wants him to do! I’m not sure his Kim Muir run is good enough to tell you the truth.

“Any Second Now is my fathers’, but he’s probably handicapped out of it. He’s in good form and any rain that would fall would suit but you think the handicapper has him.

“Capodanno is in good nick, but he’s only had one run this season and that doesn’t set you up great for the Grand National, I think every winner has had at least three starts in the season and they won it.

“Michael O’Sullivan rides Carefully Selected who won the Thyestes but was disappointing in the Bobbyjo Chase. He’s working well, he’s a good jumper and will get the trip, he’s a strong stayer. The other one is Recite A Prayer who is a big price and that’s probably apt.

“I’ve found it hard to have a ‘main pick’ to be very honest with you. I could rule out probably 25 horses, leaving 15, and I’ve whittled them down to five. To pick one main one, I honestly don’t know. But as Paddy’s going to make me choose one, I’ll go for the horse I want to see winning it and that’s my dad’s Any Second Now!

“I got three of the first five last year and I’ve shot myself in the foot because realistically I don’t think Any Second Now can win the race even though I’ve given him as my tip but he’s an each-way price, so I’ll go with that as a bet, I just think he’s handicapped out of winning it.

“I’d prefer to have something small on two or three of them to tell you the truth, rather than sticking my neck out for one.

“I think Le Milos has a good chance and he’ll be placed. We know what kind of race the Grand National is and I think that there’ll be good value to be had. Velvet Elvis can hit the frame too.

“I used to go out at the Grand National and think anything can happen, these days they can’t. Only about 15 of these can win, but Any Second Now, Le Milos and Velvet Elvis all look to have a chance at a Top 10 finish.

Rachael Blackmore is once again in the hot seat for the Grand National. She’s riding Ain’t That A Shame today and spoke with Betfair earlier about what it’s like to race in the most famous British horserace.

“It’s massive. It’s very cool. I have to say coming back here, you get the sense of the crowds and atmosphere, you almost feel a part of it.” she said,

“To say you have won a special race like this, there are so many different variables in a race like this and so much is out of a jockey’s control. It is very unique in that sense and exciting to be a part of.I love the Grand National. It’s a class race, all that goes with it and all the history.

“It’s a great feeling, getting ready for the race again, knowing that I was lucky enough to win it before.

“Nobody expects to win the Grand National.You go there hoping, but you need so many things to fall your way. You only get one shot at most at winning it every year, if you are lucky enough to even get one shot at it, and even when you do, you usually have just one chance in 40 of winning it.

“There’s such a buzz in the weighing room, so much anticipation. And when you go out to ride in it, nobody is putting pressure on you. Go out and enjoy yourself.”

Some news coming out of Aintree is that Escaria Ten is a non-runner in the big race.

The field for the Grand National is reduced with only 39 set to go to post.

The first race of Grand National Day 2023 is around 15 minutes away. The punters and bookmakers have flocked into Aintree for this exciting day of horseracing and the excitement is firmly on the main event which kicks off at 5.15pm.