Grand National 2015: What time does the race start? Which horse is the favourite?

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The 2015 Grand National is nearly upon us with the world's most unpredictable jump race among the highlights of the sporting calender.

The race at Aintree will start at 4.15pm on Saturday 11 April and will be shown live on Channel 4.

A TV audience in excess of 10 million is expected to tune in for the spectacle that's often likened more to a lottery than a race. In addition, there will be 70,000 roaring on the maximum total of 40 runners at Aintree racecourse.

Whilst the likely runners are known, the very last declaration stage takes place at 10am on the Thursday prior to the race.

At this stage, the favourite is Shutthefrontdoor, partially due to strong rumours that it will be ridden by AP McCoy in the jockey's final Grand National before retirement. Rocky Creek and Balthazar King are among the other early contenders.

Many of those watching the race will also have placed a bet, with a quarter of the adult population expected to have a flutter.

In total there are 30 jumps over the 4 miles 3½ furlongs with the horses taking approximately 10 minutes to complete the course. Last year Pineau de Re, a 25/1 shot ridden by Leighton Aspell, won the race.