Horse Racing news: Lucinda Russell: Apple Away en route to French Champion Hurdle
Lucinda Russell has told Old Gold Racing that their star mare, Apple Away, is set to be the leading syndicate’s first French runner in the French Champion Hurdle in May.
The Grade 1-winning mare runs in Wednesday’s Listed Fair Maid Of Perth Mares’ Chase, which she won two years ago, and Russell is planning on using the race as a stepping stone to the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil on Saturday 16th May at Auteuil.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Ayr and Newbury on Saturday, April 18
After a brief sailing holiday along the Strait of Hormuz, Sports News Blitz’s racing tipster Jeff Mexico has returned with six barrels of oil and some red-hot selections for Saturday’s ITV racing.
There are five contests from Scottish Grand National Day at Ayr and four from the second day of Newbury’s Spring Trials.
Romantic Warrior will have to be at his best to defeat Royal Champion, says Karl Burke
Karl Burke believes Romantic Warrior will need to be at his best to defeat an on-song Royal Champion in the HK$30 million (approx. £2.8m) G1 FWD QEII Cup (1m2f/2000m) on 26 April.
The North Yorkshire trainer is under no illusions about the task his stable star faces but thinks a reproduction of his dominant performance in the G1 Neom Turf Cup (1m2f/2100m) at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February will see him threaten the local superstar as he bids for a fourth win in the race following successes in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Horse racing news: Aintree winner I Am Maximus posts best Grand National rating in Timeform history
I Am Maximus created equine history in winning the 2026 Grand National, becoming just the ninth horse to win the race more than once.
In the process, he was also the first since the legendary Red Rum in 1977 to both regain his crown and shoulder top weight to victory.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Aintree on Saturday, April 11
Day three of the 2026 Grand National Festival arrives on Saturday, and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh is eyeing the big race – the Grand National.
ITV are showing five races from Aintree Racecourse, starting at 13:20 and culminating at 16:00 with the Grand National, and our resident reporter is hoping to continue his good form.
Grand National 2026: Horses, riders and key information for first three races at Aintree Racecourse on Grand National day
Aintree Racecourse is set to play host to one of the most iconic days on the racing calendar – Grand National Saturday.
With a packed schedule of action throughout the day, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh provides analysis of every runner in the first three races on the card.
Grand National 2026: Horses, riders and key information for final three races at Aintree Racecourse on Grand National day
Aintree Racecourse is the place to be this weekend as the 2026 Grand National takes centre stage.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh provides analysis of every runner in the final three races on the card, excluding the main race itself.
Grand National 2026: I Am Maximus is Barry Geraghty’s choice for Aintree spectacle
William Hill ambassador Barry Geraghty is siding with I Am Maximus for the 2026 Grand National at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, April 11 - Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh reports.
ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Aintree on Friday, April 10
Day Two of the 2026 Grand National Festival arrives on Friday, and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh is back for more after scoring a profit on the first day at Aintree Racecourse.
ITV are again showing six races from Aintree, and our horse racing expert is hoping for more success in Liverpool.
Timeform predict JP McManus to make history by having first three home in Grand National
The ratings experts at Timeform believe that owner JP McManus could dominate the 2026 Grand National.
McManus, who has won the race three times, is likely to have six runners. Among McManus's powerful squad is 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus who was also runner-up to Nick Rockett in last year's race which was dominated by horses trained by Willie Mullins.
Grand National 2026: Willie Mullins star supported for Aintree Hurdle success in William Hill market movers
William Hill have seen some significant market movers ahead of the first day of the 2026 Grand National festival at Aintree Racecourse, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh reports.
Willie Mullins’ El Fabiolo is the main market mover in the Aintree Hurdle, as punters seem keen to side with the nine-year-old.
But Mullins’ charge is not the only major market mover before action gets underway, with Lulamba and Protektorat also being supported.
Cash bet on Grand National would stretch distance of Liverpool to Berlin
Leading bookmaker William Hill estimate that over £150 million will be bet on this Saturday’s Randox Grand National, which if laid end-to-end in £20 notes would cover approximately 650 miles.
The race meeting’s official betting partner is expecting more than six times the amount bet on last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup to be wagered on the National, with their worst result as things stand being Panic Attack.
Horse racing tips: Best bets for Aintree on Thursday, April 9
Day One of the 2026 Grand National Festival gets underway at Aintree, and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing pundit Kieran McHugh has returned to cast his varifocals over the meeting.
ITV is showing six races from Aintree, and our resident racing reporter is keen to unearth the secrets of the card after striking oil in Dubai with a 28/1 winner.
Grand National 2026 news: Complete guide to all 34 horses confirmed for Aintree spectacle
A full field has officially been declared for the 2026 Grand National as excitement builds for one of racing’s showpiece events at Aintree Racecourse.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh provides a complete guide to all 34 confirmed horses.
Grand National 2026 news: I Am Maximus the one to pick, says Willie Mullins assistant David Casey
David Casey, assistant trainer to Willie Mullins, has told BetSelect that he would ride I Am Maximus in this year’s Grand National if he had the choice.
Speaking to BetSelect, Casey said: “If I had to pick one, I’d go with I Am Maximus. He’s had a bit of a stronger preparation this year than he did last time.”
How to bet on the 2026 Grand National: Essential tipping guide to the Aintree showpiece
Ahead of the 2026 Grand National at Aintree, Sports News Blitz’s racing expert Kieran McHugh explains how you can bet on the world’s most famous steeplechase.
One of the most famous horse races in the world, the Grand National has always been a longstanding fixture in British culture.
One of few races on the calendar that generates intrigue across the planet, from seasoned gambler to those just having a little each-way dabble.
Horse racing news: Royal Champion takes on Romantic Warrior, Masquerade Ball in FWD QEII Cup
Karl Burke’s Royal Champion will head to Hong Kong for a showdown with local superstar Romantic Warrior and Japanese duo Masquerade Ball and Museum Mile on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday 26 April.
Royal Champion defeated quality opposition to win the 2026 G1 Neom Turf Cup, including Group 1 winner Facteur Cheval, and the well-travelled eight-year-old makes his way to Sha Tin to contest the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (1m2f/2000m) in some career-best form for trainer Burke.
‘Top-class’ prospect He’s On Fire draws comparisons to Gaelic Warrior
He's On Fire's impressive victory at Fairyhouse on Sunday has prompted the experts at Timeform to suggest that Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Gaelic Warrior's owners could have another top-class prospect on their hands.
World’s best Ka Ying Rising goes for 19th consecutive win in Monday’s G2 Sprint Cup
After setting a new record for consecutive wins by a Hong Kong-trained horse, Zac Purton remains supremely confident Ka Ying Rising can extend his unbeaten streak in Easter Monday’s (6 April) HK$5.35 million (approx. £515,000) G2 Sprint Cup (6f/1200m) at Sha Tin.
Having surpassed Silent Witness’ previous record of 17 successive victories by landing a second HK$13 million (approx. £1.2m) G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, Ka Ying Rising returns bidding for a 19th successive win against six rivals at the public holiday Group 2 double-header, which also features the HK$5.35 million (approx. £515,000) G2 Chairman’s Trophy.
Grand National 2026: Willie Mullins’ ten horses that could land him his third-straight Aintree victory
Willie Mullins has won the last two renewals of the Aintree Grand National and Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Kieran McHugh examines the ten horses that could see him win a third straight Grand National.
Willie Mullins is already a three-time Grand National winner and he bids to become the first trainer since Vincent O’Brien in the 1950s to win three-in-a-row.
He currently holds a ten-fold hand in the 2026 edition and the Closutton supremo’s runners will surely be of intrigue.