The eyes of the horse racing world will be on Aintree for at least 15 minutes on Saturday when 40 runners go to post for the Randox Grand National.
Here is our horse-by-horse guide to the National Hunt showpiece.
Any Second Now
3rd in 2021 and 2nd last year, there would be no more deserving winner but he’s now 8lbs higher and has top weight of 11st12lbs. If you’re looking for a finisher, he’s the one but cannot see him making it third time lucky.
Noble Yeats
Last year’s winner gave Sam Waley Cohen a dream send off and he’s continued in good form this year with, most notably, a staying on 4th in the Gold Cup. He’s 19lbs higher here and it’s difficult to see him repeating the heroics from 12 months ago.
Galvin
A classy type who is bidding to give Davy Russell the type of send off only Sam Waley Cohen can dream of. He’s probably the type to thrive over these fences but 11st11lbs may just take its toll in the latter stages.
Fury Road
It’ll be a surprise if he gets to the second circuit although, if he does, he’ll likely be travelling well before finding nothing. A bigger concern for me would be the big field scenario and it wouldn’t surprise if he cries enough early doors.
The Big Dog
Is 11lbs higher than his 3rd place in the Welsh National and, with the trip and ground holding no fears, he’s got a chance. Has won the Munster National and the Troytown this year but a fall last time out is worrying.
Capodanno
Like last year’s winner, he’s a 7 year old and despite his relative inexperience, he’s a classy type who has gone well in big fields in the past. Has been plying his trade in graded chases and won a Grade 1 novice chase at Punchestown last April. Only raced once this season so comes here fresh.
Delta Work
1lb lower than last year when fading into 3rd and has continued in good form this year, winning the Cross Country at Cheltenham last time out in front of Galvin. Has a big chance, especially with the rain that has arrived, but did have a hard race last time out.
Sam Brown
First run since a wind operation and won here last year off 12lbs lower. Was 3rd in the Charlie Hall on reappearance and this has been the target since then but recent form is a concern as is his current mark.
Lifetime Ambition
The trainer is suggesting better ground may suit but he’s shown form on rain softened ground and has some form over these fences having finished 4th in the Grand Sefton. Was 2nd in the Troytown off 5lbs lower and whilst he has stamina to prove, he’s looked better the further he’s gone.
Carefully Selected
3 wins from his last 6 starts but is always likely to throw in a poor performance. Hails from the all conquering Willie Mullins yard and should have no issues with the extreme distance so holds solid claims if on a going day.
Coko Beach
Won the Grand National trial at Punchestown last time out but has been raised 9lbs for that which might just be too much. Finished a distant 8th 12 months ago off a 5lb lower mark so is unlikely to be there at the end.
Longhouse Poet
Was 6th in this off the same mark 12 months where he was prominent for quite a long way before fading. Won last time out at Down Royal and could go well for trainer Martin Brassil who is bidding for a second win in this race after Numbersixvalverde’s win 17 years ago.
Gaillard Du Mesnil
Should have no problems with the trip but I’m not sure he represents much value. Was odds on for the NH Chase at Cheltenham, winning by 2 lengths but was massively helped by a faller 2 out. Has form in a National having finished 3rd in the Irish version 12 months ago.
Darasso
Has 2 good runs in big fields, finishing 2nd in the Galway Plate and 3rd in the Kerry National. Still has plenty to prove, though, and might prefer better ground. Current odds of 100/1 reflect his chance.
Le Milos
The Skelton’s have a real contender with one that has won 4 of his last 6 starts. Won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November and looks like he’s been laid out for this. Should go well.
Escaria Ten
Was miles back in last year’s National when 9th and it’s hard to see him improving on that this time around. Form this year has gone backwards and was pulled up in the Plate at Cheltenham.
The Big Breakaway
Pulled up in the Ultima last time out but has a definite squeak on his close 2nd in the Welsh National off 3lbs lower. The recent rain should suit him well and the first time blinkers might just bring out some improvement. Should run a good race at a price.
Cape Gentleman
Trainer has been very bullish about his schooling over these fences but I don’t think his form is anywhere near good enough to take a hand here. Was 4th behind one of today’s rivals last time out.
Roi Mage
A dark horse with a definite chance on this soft ground. Was 2nd behind the better fancied Longhouse Poet last time up but despite being lightly raced, he’s now a 11 year old which, on recent trends, is a concern.
Diol Ker
Has run some very good races at 3 miles, including when 2nd of 28 in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown 2 starts ago. However, has been no better than midfield when stepped up in trip to 3 miles 4 furlongs or further.
A Wave Of The Sea
Just a 7 year old but doesn’t look to be progressing, judged on being pulled up twice in his last 4 runs. His best form this term has been over 2 miles and it’s hard to see him taking a hard in this.
Minella Trump
Has the best strike rate over fences of any of this field, losing only once in his last 9 starts over fences but none in fields bigger than 7. Had a prep run over hurdles and is trained by Donald McCain but I’d be amazed if he’s in the mix at the end.
Vanillier
Has stamina to prove but has been well backed for this. Should race prominently which is often a positive but isn’t the most fluent of jumpers and I think it’ll be some feat if Sean Flanagan is still sat on the horse at the end.
Velvet Elvis
After Noble Yeats’ win last year, it’s becoming fashionable to be a 7 year old having a crack at the National. This one was 2nd to Any Second Now last time out and is now over a stone better off. Was a very creditable 6th in the Irish equivalent last year.
Ain’t That A Shame
Loads of money for Rachael Blackmore’s mount in the last 24 hours after plenty of rainfall around Liverpool should see him go off favourite and does have a top chance on recent form especially with the mention of soft or heavy in the going description.
Corach Rambler
Won the Ultima for the second time which saw his odds for this tumble. The trainer/jockey combo won this race with One For Arthur in 2017 but I think this one is more of a Cheltenham horse than an Aintree one.
Enjoy D’Allen
Unseated at the 1st last year and has been out of form this year with form figures of 0-0-0-6, Readily passed over.
Mr Incredible
Another that is well fancied, and another 7 year old. Willie Mullins’ charge is as quirky as they come but could run a massive race if taking to this test. Was 3rd last time out in the Kim Muir and I’d be worried he’s still feeling the effects on a hard race just 4 weeks ago.
Mister Coffey
Like 2016 winner Rule The World, he’s yet to win over fences but recent form of 2-2-3 is decent. Was 3rd in the NH Chase but finished tired and is unlikely to add to Nico De Boinville’s excellent week after wins on Constitution Hill and Shiskin.
Cloudy Glen
Pulled up 3 times in his last 6 starts but did win the Ladbrokes Trophy in 2021. Hails from the very good yard of Venetia Williams but he’s unlikely to trouble the judge here.
Hill Sixteen
Has run well over the fences before and ran ok in the Becher when 7th behind Ashtown Lad. Was plumb last on his most recent run at Kelso and will need to show improved form here if he’s to be involved.
Gabby’s Cross
Won a big chase at Galway last summer and was 6th in the Paddy Power Chase off this mark at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. This isn’t De Bromhead’s main hope but he’s by no means a forlorn hope and could go ok at huge odds.
Recite A Prayer
Another one for Mullins and ran well when 2nd in the Kerry National before backing it up with a 3rd when favourite in the Cork National. Ran no sort of race on his 2 most recent runs but if those are behind him, he has a squeak.
Eva’s Oskar
Was 4th in the Eider but faded close home. Should be up with the pace and could go well for a long way but isn’t good enough to land the spoils here.
Our Power
2 runs this season and 2 wins, both in Grade 3 handicap chases. The big question is whether he will stay but if he does, he should run a very nice race at a rewarding each way price. Bids to give Sam Twiston Davies a National fences double this week.
Dunboyne
First time blinkers could help this inconsistent type who has run a couple of good races this term, most recently when 4th in the Kim Muir. The more rain the better and he’s hard to dismiss on the basis of his narrow 2nd in the Thyestes 2 starts back.
Francky Du Berlais
He’s not for me. Likes the National fences having gone round successfully 3 times but a distant 15th in the Becher in November just about sums up his chances.
Fortescue
Unseated 4 out in this last year when a long way back and races off the same mark this year. Doubtful he’ll improve on that and it’s better to look elsewhere.
Back On The Lash
Is better on the cross country course at Cheltenham and is one of the few that will be inconvenienced by the ground. 3lbs out of the handicap is another worry. You must have been out on the lash if you invest your hard earned on this one.
Born By The Sea
6lbs out of the handicap sum up his chances. Has got no closer than 22 lengths in his last 4 runs and he is easily passed over.
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