The Grand National Festival is a highlight of the British sporting calendar, and over three days, the stars of horse racing line up for a chance to come away as one of the festival’s iconic victors, and your Express is bringing you a FREE shop bet with fan favourite William Hill inside your paper every day of the festival.

On Saturday April 11, 34 horses line up to take on the four and a quarter mile titular race over the Aintree spruce fences before a winner is crowned. It is the one occasion of the year when the public places a bet with millions of pounds set to be wagered on the outcome of the 4.00 race at Aintree on April 11. There is also the small matter of a £1 million prize fund up for grabs, with £500,000 on offer for the winner, making it a potentially lucrative day out for owners and trainers.

Winning is not an easy task, however, and there is lots of competition for the crown of Grand National winner. Last year Willie Mullins pulled off the extraordinary feat of training the 1-2-3 in the race with Nick Rockett, ridden by his amateur rider son Patrick, defeating 2024 Grand National winner I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West. For good measure he also trained the fifth placed finisher.

Last year’s first three are destined to take on the challenge again with billionaire JP McManus, the owner of favourite I Am Maximus, also represented by Iroko and Jagwar near the top of the betting. McManus also owns Johnnywho, a winner at the recent Cheltenham Festival, and Oscars Brother, trained by former champion apprentice Connor King who at 27 will attempt to become the youngest trainer to win the Grand National. Haiti Couleurs, trained in Pembrokeshire, west Wales by Rebecca Curtis, will attempt to add the Grand National to triumphs in the Irish and Welsh versions.

Don’t miss out- pick up your paper every day of the Grand National Festival from Thursday 9 until Saturday 11 April for FREE shop bets with William Hill.