Grand Nationals galore as a high-quality week ends with the Aintree spectacular

Monday

Easter Monday is traditionally a fantastic day of racing and this year remains the same despite the lack of crowds, with the BoyleSports Irish Grand National (5.00) taking centre stage on both RTE and ITV4.

Latest Exhibition avoided the Cheltenham Festival in favour of this stamina test and is a warm favourite to defy his novice status and scoop another prestigious prize for Paul Nolan and Bryan Cooper.

He faces a five-strong attack from the Willie Mullins yard, with the Closutton trainer seeking only a second victory in the race, while Gigginstown has four runners in a contest in which 12 horses carried their colours in 2019.

Three Grade 2 contests accompany the big race at Fairyhouse, while there is also Graded action at Cork in Ireland and terrestrial TV action from the all-weather at Kempton in Britain.

Feature event on the second day of Plumpton's Easter meeting is the Sussex Champion Chase. The rest of the jumps action comes from Chepstow.

On the Flat, Redcar opens its gates for the 2021 season, while there is also another afternoon all-weather card at Wolverhampton on a bumper day of action.

Tuesday

The Easter period of racing may be over but there is still plenty of racing on offer and Pontefract and Bath begin their seasons with eight-race Flat cards during the afternoon.

There is a good jumps card at Exeter, where runners in the feature City Of Exeter Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle (2.50) include Getaway Fred, who was once touted to be a high-class prospect but has not hit those heights.

An evening all-weather fixture at Chelmsford, featuring a Class 2 mile handicap (7.00), ends the day's proceedings.

Wednesday

Flat fans are treated to some high-class performers as the Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes (4.10) sees some proven Group performers descend on Nottingham.

Trueshan was last seen kick-starting Hollie Doyle's memorable double on Champions Day at Ascot in October and could make his reappearance in the Listed contest ahead of a potential tilt at the Ascot Gold Cup.

Trueshan: could make his reappearance at Nottingham on Wednesday under Hollie DoyleCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

He could face a fascinating contender in Sir Ron Priestley, who has not been seen since finishing second behind Logician in the 2019 St Leger.

Catterick's Flat season also gets underway in the afternoon alongside an all-weather card from Lingfield, while the evening action comes from Gowran Park and Newcastle.

Thursday

Three days of the very best jumps racing gets under way at Aintree as the Grand National meeting begins, with four Grade 1's and the highly-competitive Foxhunters' Chase on a top-class card.

The feature top-level contest is the Aintree Hurdle (3.25), which could see McFabulous, Abacadabras, Song For Someone and former dual Champion Hurdle winner Buveur D'Air clash in a wide-open contest.

The Betway Bowl (2.50) has a similar feel to it, with Clan Des Obeaux heading a field that may also include Native River, dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll and the lightly-raced Waiting Patiently.

The other two Grade 1s on the card are the Manifesto Novices' Chase (1.45) and the Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle (2.20) before the amateurs get the chance to experience the thrill of the National fences (4.05), with the Foxhunters' this year run in memory of the late Rose Paterson.

Away from Aintree, there is jumps action from Taunton as well as Flat meetings at Southwell, Gowran Park and Chelmsford.

Friday

Day two of the Grand National meeting would usually be time to dress in your finest outfit for Ladies' Day at Aintree. The lack of a crowd this year will have to be made up for by the abundance of equine quality on show.

The professional riders will get their first sight of the National fences in the Randox Topham Chase (4.05), which is bound to have another deeply competitive field. The feature Grade 1 of the day is the Marsh Chase (3.25) – better known as the Melling – and Politologue will bid to repeat his 2018 win.

Politologue: bids for a second victory in the Melling Chase at AintreeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Three other Grade 1s take place on the seven-race card: the Top Novices' Hurdle (2.20), Mildmay Novices' Chase (2.50) – which may feature festival winner Chantry House – and the Sefton Novices' Hurdle (4.40) while two competitive handicap hurdles book-end the fixture.

Sedgefield also stages an afternoon jumps fixture, while there is a Flat card from Leicester before evening action at both Wexford and Kempton.

Saturday

One of the greatest days in racing is upon us, as the stage is set for a Grand National like no other (5.15). There will be no crowd this year but history makers and wonderful stories about 'the people's race' are guaranteed.

One of the great tales could be of Ladbrokes Trophy winner Cloth Cap, who is strong favourite to give Trevor Hemmings – whose yellow, green and white colours will forever be associated with the great race – a record fourth victory in the Grand National.

JP McManus has not won the race since Don't Push It in 2010 but is triple-handed towards the top of the market with Kimberlite Candy, Any Second Now and Minella Times, while Willie Mullins sends over the 2019 Irish Grand National winner Burrows Saint.

Secret Reprieve – winner of this season's Welsh National – bids for a rare and famous double in what will be a National to remember, even without Tiger Roll in the field.

History will be made on Saturday, but who will win the Grand National?Credit: Edward Whitaker

The supporting acts on the card are high-class too. Paisley Park may bid for redemption from the Cheltenham Festival in the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle (3.40), while the Mersey Novices' Hurdle (2.25) and Maghull Novices' Chase (3.00) complete the Grade 1 action, with the latter race a likely destination for Shishkin.

Away from Aintree, there are jumps cards at Newcastle and Chepstow as well as all-weather action from Lingfield and Wolverhampton, while there is an afternoon fixture at Dundalk in Ireland.

Sunday

Aintree blues may be in full swing but the quality action does not stop as attentions are switched to the Flat, with Leopardstown staging the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas trials as well as the Ballysax Stakes. Could a Derby prospect be unearthed and emulate Harzand, who completed the Leopardstown-Epsom double in 2016?

In Britain, there are two jumps fixtures at Plumpton and Warwick to end the week's proceedings.

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