'I struggle to get my head around it' - Lee Westwood laments affordability checks and provides his Grand National and Masters picks

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Former world number one golfer Lee Westwood believes the Randox Grand National (4.00) remains as central to British sporting life as it has ever done, with changes to the race in recent years adding to the drama and excitement of the event.

A long-standing owner and racing fan, Westwood has thrown his support behind trainer Willie Mullins to land the Grand National for a third year in a row, but has also revealed his frustration at having to go through a recent affordability check with a bookmaker.

Westwood said: “I just think it's a British institution, isn't it? I think of my childhood, I can remember watching racing on Boxing Day and the Grand National. I think for me it stretches back that far and you might be sitting in your front room having 50p on it with your grandad or your dad, or somebody like that, or somebody doing a sweep. I just think it's something that everybody's always got into.