The biggest bet race of them all, the Grand National is almost upon us. As you look to make your selection for the Aintree showpiece, we're here to guide you through the 40 runners and riders that will tackle the 4m2 1/2f event.
1. Bristol De Mai
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Five-time Grade 1 winner who stays particularly well and is a class act. Would ideally have preferred softer conditions, and top-weight won’t help matters. Nevertheless, warrants plenty of consideration.
2. Chris’s Dream
Jockey: Darragh O’Keefe
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jumping errors didn’t help when pulled up in the Ryanair at Cheltenham, and he’s got to prove that this stamina test is what he really wants. His second in a Grade 1 in October shows he has talent, but this is a big ask.
3. Yala Enki
Jockey: Bryony Frost
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Grand stayer who has placed in three Welsh Nationals and won the Trial for this race at Haydock in 2018. Is definitely best in soft conditions, so a question mark as to the quick going here. Is capable of running to his lofty mark when everything falls right.
4. Ballyoptic
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Frustrating sort who is just as capable of running a stinker as he is to go close in big races like this. Has shown very little this season and has ended up on the deck in three of the four races he’s contested over the National fences.
5. Definitly Red
Jockey: Henry Brooke
Trainer: Brian Ellison
Was sent off second-favourite for this race in 2017 when he was unlucky to be pulled up with his rider’s saddle slipping at Valentines. Wasn’t disgraced behind Cloth Cap at Kelso last time out, for all that he’s in his veteran years these days.
6. Lake View Lad
Jockey: Brian Hughes
Trainer: Nick Alexander
Connections blamed the Good to Soft ground when pulled up in this two years ago so doubtful whether these year’s conditions are any better. Has undergone a wind operation since being well beaten last time out and will sport cheek pieces for the first time.
7. Burrows Saint
Jockey: Patrick Mullins
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Irish Grand National winner of two years ago who warmed up for this with a decent second in a Fairyhouse Grade 3. Three from three on ground with ‘good’ in the going description, so conditions will suit and is a major player for powerful connections.
8. Magic Of Light
Jockey: Robbie Power
Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Runner-up in 2019 at a huge price, but won’t be anything like those lofty returns this time. Hard to assess having been run up and down in trip and over both fences and hurdles to mixed success since, but is talented on her day.
9. Acapella Bourgeois
Jockey: Danny Mullins
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Gave weight and a beating to Burrows Saint when winning a second Bobbyjo Chase in February to confirm his well-being. This 11-year-old has been fairly consistent in the last couple of years and could be a dark horse if taking to Aintree’s unique fences.
10. Talkischeap
Jockey: Tom Cannon
Trainer: Alan King
Has run two middling races on the all-weather sandwiched between three disappointing efforts over fences since winning the Bet365 Gold Cup two seasons ago. Needs to prove he’s still got the same fire in his belly, for all that the ground will suit.
11. Tout Est Permis
Jockey: Sean Flanagan
Trainer: Noel Meade
Placed in a number of big staying handicap hurdles last term and in the frame at Grade 1 level in October, but has been a no-show in his last four runs. Reported to have bled last time out which is a concern in a stamina test such as this.
12. Anibale Fly
Jockey: Denis O’Regan
Trainer: Tony Martin
Fifth in this two years ago and fourth the year before so clearly likes it over these fences. He runs here from a 9lb lower mark than in 2019, but has finished stone last in four of his five outings since. Will be hopeful Aintree rekindles that spark in him.
13. Mister Malarky
Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Has run some good races in competitive handicap chases this term including winning at Ascot and finishing third in a Kempton Grade 3 last time out. Capable of outrunning his price if following up that first run after a wind-op, though that is not a given.
14. Kimberlite Candy
Jockey: Richie McLernon
Trainer: Tom Lacey
Twice a runner-up over the Grand National fences in the Becher Chase, he clearly handles the Aintree test. Stamina looks to be his forte too, having won the Classic Chase at Warwick in good style last season. Leading player.
15. Any Second Now
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Trainer: Ted Walsh
Well-supported since landing the Grade 2 Webster Cup at Fairyhouse. A victory in a 2m event would be an unusual prep for this, but did win the Kim Muir in 2019 so has plenty of stamina too. His trainer landed this in 2000 with Papillon.
16. Balko Des Flos
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Without a win since landing the 2018 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and has never won a race further than 2m6f. Has lots to do on paper but his trainer is having a fantastic season. Recently purchased for £110,000.
17. Alpha Des Obeaux
Jockey: Jody McGarvey
Trainer: Denise Foster
A high-class horse in his younger years, having finished second in the Stayers Hurdle and is a winner of a Grade 2 chase. Hints of a revival in the Cross Country last time and has run well over these fences before. Not completely overlooked here.
18. OK Corral
Jockey: Derek O’Connor
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Pulled up at Cheltenham on his last start after 416 days off the track. Has won over 3m as a novice chaser and the track should suit. He’s obviously had his problems, however, and it would be some training performance for him to win this.
19. Takingrisks
Jockey: Sean Quinlan
Trainer: Nicky Richards
Winner of the 2019 Scottish National so stamina assured with this one. That came on good ground, but most recent wins all coming with plenty of cut underfoot. Heads here after beating Aye Right at Doncaster back in January.
20. Shattered Love
Jockey: Kevin Sexton
Trainer: Denise Foster
A dual Grade 1 winning chaser who’s been competing against some of the best horses in Ireland over the years. Ran well in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham last time but stamina would be the worry.
21. Jett
Jockey: Sam Waley-Cohen
Trainer: Jessica Harrington
Jockey has a tremendous record over these fences but this one didn’t seem to warm to them in last year’s Becher when finishing tailed off. Very little form to speak of since and it’s difficult to make a case.
22. Lord Du Mesnil
Jockey: Nick Scholfield
Trainer: Richard Hobson
Stays all day. Second in the 3m6f race at Cheltenham and most recently a winner of the Grand National trial at Haydock. Probably wants the ground to come up a bit softer but has strong claims here.
23. Potters Corner
Jockey: Jack Tudor
Trainer: Christian Williams
The 2019 Welsh National winner has stamina in bags but his form this season would be a worry. Ran OK in a Cross Country race in November but the form doesn’t look great. His best form has come on more testing ground.
24. Class Conti
Jockey: Brian Hayes
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Has run well in the Thyestes and the Leinster National this year. Has the profile to go well in this and we possibly haven’t seen the best of him yet. Better ground may bring out some improvement.
25. Milan Native
Jockey: Jamie Codd
Trainer: Denise Foster
Last year’s Kim Muir winner who beat Discorama on reappearance. A little disappointing since then and the way he stopped so quickly in the Porterstown might put you off. Potential for improvement on second start after a wind op.
26. Discorama
Jockey: Brian Cooper
Trainer: Paul Nolan
Placed three times at the Cheltenham Festival and is a really likable horse. Plenty of form beyond 3m and looks the type to stay the distance. Comes here for his first start after a wind operation.
27. Vieux Lion Rouge
Jockey: Conor O’Farrell
Trainer: David Pipe
This will be his fifth attempt at this race having finished no better than sixth on his previous four attempts. Won the Becher back in December, so no problem jumping the fences, just doesn’t seem to get the marathon trip.
28. Cloth Cap
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill
Could be thrown in here off a mark of 148. Impressive wins in the Ladbrokes Trophy and Premier Chase mark him out as the one they’ve all got to beat, but there’s another 39 of them trying to do just that.
29. Cabaret Queen
Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Winner of the Kerry National this year but a little disappointing since. She had a hard race that day and it might just have left its mark. Could go well if bouncing back to that form but it’s a big if.
30. Minella Celebration
Jockey: Sean O’Keeffe
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Has run twice over these fences previously and done OK. Has bits and pieces of useful form in the book, including a Listed win over 3m2f at Uttoxeter. He has a fair bit to find here but might be a little overlooked in the betting.
31. Canelo
Jockey: Tom Bellamy
Trainer: Alan King
Has been a consistent performer this term winning twice and has only finished outside the first four on one occasion. Off a Mark of 147 he would have to produce a career best to win here but looks as though there may be some scope for improvement.
32. The Long Mile
Jockey: Luke Dempsey
Trainer: John Dempsey
Ran respectively behind Acapella Bourgeois and Burrows Saint in the Bobbyjo Chase but lacks experience over the longer trips with only two runs over three miles. As a seven-year-old with question marks on staying ability, he looks to be up against it.
33. Give Me A Copper
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Not the ideal prep having pulled up on his last start in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster and reopposes several the field here. Lightly raced for an 11-year-old and not without ability but unlikely to land a blow in this.
34. Farclas
Jockey: Jack Kennedy
Trainer: Mrs Denise Foster
A strong performance behind The Shunter when giving weight away in the Plate at Cheltenham but is unexperienced over staying trips with only one run at three miles. Jack Kennedy is onboard and should get the best out of him, but no 7-year-old has won the national since 1940.
35. Minella Times
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Improving sort with strong form lines with Off You Go, comes here fresh and looks as though he may be ahead of the handicapper at this stage. Has the all-conquering combination of Blackmore and De Bromhead on side and must be seen as a major player.
36. Sub Lieutenant
Jockey: Tabitha Worsley
Trainer: Georgina Howell
Has performed well in the past at Aintree when second in the 2019 Topham, since then has been sold by Gigginstown and moved to Georgina Howell. As a 12-year-old his best days look to be behind him but should give Tabitha Worsley, who has won over the national fences, a safe ride.
37. Hogan’s Height
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Ran out an impressive winner in the Grand Sefton over the National fences in 2019, but has only been seen on a course three times since, the last when an out of touch sixth in the Cross-Country chase at Cheltenham, others with more appeal.
38.Double Shuffle
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Trainer: Tom George
A classy, graded horse on his day and has rediscovered some of his better form this year with two good performances at Kempton over the winter. Didn’t look as though he stayed when 12th in the 2017 National and has to prove stamina.
39. Ami Desbois
Jockey: Kielan Woods
Trainer: Graeme McPherson
Has performed well this year albeit against out and out handicappers and his last win came in December 2017, would have to produce something extraordinary to hit the frame here with staying ability not a given.
40.Blaklion
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Trainer: Dan Skelton
A one-time national favourite and four-time runner in the race with some strong form around the course, winning the 2017 Beecher Chase. Has the in-form Skelton team on his side but his position at the bottom of the weights probably reflects his ability these days.
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