Rachael Blackmore says her Grand National triumph was the best day of her life, surpassing even her wedding. The pioneering jockey, the first woman to win the race, reflects on the scale of the achievement and its impact on her career and the sport.

Bookmakers expect stakes of about £1bn this week as punters back the Grand National, the Masters and key Premier League fixtures. Firms anticipate large payouts if favourites win, with promotions and online markets pushing wagering to record levels.

A lottery ticket holder forfeited a £10.6m jackpot after missing the claim deadline. Under the rules, the unclaimed prize will be allocated to good causes, with the full amount going to charity.

Tickets for the 2026 World Cup final are set to cost up to £8,000, despite earlier assurances they would be capped near £1,174. The steep rise leaves supporters facing premium prices and prompts scrutiny of the event’s pricing policy.