2021 GRAND NATIONAL
1. BRISTOL DE MAI
Held his own with top chasers in recent seasons, winning the Betfair Chase three times. Stamina a concern and a liking for very soft ground is a worry, though.
5. BALLYOPTIC
Nigel Twiston-davies It appears his best days are behind him, but he has had some good ones. Was going well in this two years ago when falling four from home.
9. MAGIC OF LIGHT
Jessica Harrington Gave Tiger Roll plenty to think about two years ago when a fine second. Looks high enough in the weights, but plenty to be said for course form – especially here.
13. ANIBALE FLY
Tony Martin Has placed in two Gold Cups and fourth and fifth in this down the years. A while since he has shown that form and no spring chicken, but dangerous to dismiss.
17. BALKO DES FLOS
Henry de Bromhead Won the Ryanair Chase in 2018, but has been a long way below his best form this season. He was recently sold and it’s hard to fancy him for this one.
21. SHATTERED LOVE
Smart mare at her best, and she was not far off that at Cheltenham when third to Colreevy and Elimay over two and a half miles. This might be too long a trip.
25. CLASS CONTI
Willie Mullins Has been running with credit in some of Ireland’s biggest handicaps. Winning form on good ground in France suggests he could find improvement.
29. CLOTH CAP
Jonjo O’neill Impressive winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy who has since bolted up at Kelso. Third in a Scottish National over four miles. Jumps, stays and 14lb well in.
33. THE LONG MILE
Philip Dempsey One of the most unexposed runners in the field. Runs as if this trip may bring about even more improvement. Not without a squeak.
37. SUB LIEUTENANT
Once a classy operator for Henry de Bromhead, for whom he was second in a Topham over these fences. Has outrun huge odds twice for new connections.
RES 1. BLAKLION Nigel Twiston-davies Dan Skelton
Fourth in the 2017 National and then won the Becher later that year. Favourite for the 2018 National, but brought down at the first and nothing has gone right since.
2. THE STORYTELLER
Won the Down Royal Champion Chase this season and was second in the Irish Gold Cup. His ability to stay an extra mile has to be taken on trust.
6. DEFINITLY RED
Brian Ellison Long seen by his trainer as an ideal type for this race. Was among the favourites back in 2017 when badly hampered by a faller. Big ask for a 12-year-old.
10. ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS
Beat Burrows Saint giving him weight in the Bobbyjo and now enjoys a nice swing in the weights. Better ground could see him in a better light, so no back number.
14. MISTER MALARKY
Colin Tizzard A smart novice a few years back who has become hard to predict, but at his best is capable of some very smart form. He could be the type to take to the fences.
18. ALPHA DES OBEAUX
Had shown nothing all season before a fair fourth in the Cheltenham cross country to Tiger Roll. That still leaves him with plenty to find. Badly handicapped.
22. JETT
Jessica Harrington Was quietly fancied for this last year, but has not been in the same sort of form this time around. Almost impossible to recommend.
26. MILAN NATIVE
Denise Foster A winner at Cheltenham last season, he was fancied to run well there again last month but never got competitive. Does not look in the sort of form required.
30. CABARET QUEEN
.Willie Mullins Has won the Munster and Kerry Nationals, but they are a long way removed from the real thing. His recent form suggests he’s regressing.
34. GIVE ME A COPPER
Paul Nicholls Owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, among others, and has given connections something to cheer in the past. However, is fragile and not sure this is what he needs.
38. HOGAN’S HEIGHT
Jamie Snowden A winner over these fences in the Grand Sefton. Lightly raced since having shot up the weights and tailed off behind Tiger Roll at Cheltenham. Massive stamina doubts.
RES 2. SOME NECK Denise Foster
John Mcconnell Won over the Cheltenham cross-country fences in December and a fair third to Tiger Roll in March. Plenty to find here, but the National can spark some into life.
3. CHRIS’S DREAM
Henry de Bromhead Capable of very good performances, but also some shockers. Just a neck behind
The Storyteller at Down Royal, but pulled up at Cheltenham.
7. LAKE VIEW LAD
Nick Alexander Began the season with a win over Santini on the Mildmay Course, but has been well beaten the last twice. Runs off same mark as when pulled up two years ago.
11. TALKISCHEAP
Alan King Looked a promising staying chaser when winning the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown two years ago, but hampered by injury since and does not look in the same form.
15. KIMBERLITE CANDY
Tom Lacey Has been one to watch after finishing second over fences in December 2019. Blessed with stamina, finished second again in the Becher this season.
19. OK CORRAL
Nicky Henderson Had last year’s race taken place he would have been among the leading contenders having won the Sky Bet Chase, but pulled up at Cheltenham in his only run since.
23. LORS DU MESNIL
Richard Hobson Has made a real name for himself at Haydock in recent seasons, but far from a one-track wonder as his second at Cheltenham showed. Needs soft ground.
27. DISCORAMA
Somehow has only managed to win twice in an 18-race career, but his ability is not in doubt. Placed at three Cheltenham Festivals and has proven stamina.
31. MINELLACELEBRATION
Won two nice prizes at Uttoxeter and Aintree either side of a summer break, but has struggled since the handicapper had his say.
35. FARCLAS Paul Nolan
Denise Foster Won the Triumph Hurdle in 2018 and on the best of his form he is well handicapped. Lacks experience over fences and Cheltenham, when second, looked his aim.
39. DOUBLE SHUFFLE
Tom George Talented horse who was second in the King George in 2017. Excels at Kempton over three miles, but has another 10 furlongs to tackle here.
RES 3. SECRET REPRIEVE
Lightly-raced seven-year-old who will surely never have a better chance. Won the Welsh National and has been kept fresh for this, but lacks experience.
4. YALA ENKI
Paul Nicholls Has been a credit to connections down the years. Stamina will not be an issue given his exploits in Welsh Grand Nationals. Ground can never be too soft for him.
8. BURROWS SAINT
Willie Mullins Won the Irish National two years ago and has been trained for this since. Had no excuses behind a stablemate last time, but better ground expected to suit.
12. TOUT EST PERMIS Noel Meade Not disgraced in the highest grade earlier this season, but has not progressed as once looked likely and now looks badly handicapped.
16. ANY SECOND NOW Ted Walsh
From a shrewd stable who have won and gone close in this. Won a Grade Two over two miles last time, but has won a Kim Muir in the past. Obvious chance.
20. TAKINGRISKS Nicky Richards
A credit to connections having won three major staying handicap chases, including the Scottish National. The worry is he is on a career-high mark at the age of 12.
24. POTTERS CORNER
Christian Williams Welsh National winner who has limitless stamina. However, he needs it soft to slow the others down. Has had an interrupted season, too.
28. VIEUX LION ROUGE
David Pipe Has jumped as many of these fences as any horse, having run in this four times and the Becher five times, winning that twice. But has come up short in the big one.
32. CANELO Alan King
Struck off a 12lb higher mark at Wetherby than his win over the Mildmay fences in October. Not disgraced twice since, but does not strike as an out-and-out stayer.
36. MINELLA TIMES
Henry de Bromhead Has been all the rage for this in recent weeks, but that is more down to the Rachael Blackmore factor than anything he has done. Has stamina to prove.
40. AMI DESBOIS
Graeme Mcpherson Caught by Double Shuffle at Kempton in January and ran another solid race last time out. Has always shaped as a stayer, but needs to take form to a new level.
RES 4. KAUTO RIKO
Tom Gretton From the family of the legendary Kauto Star and has done his bit to uphold family honour. Not disgraced at all on only run this season, but stamina a huge doubt.
IT’S the world’s greatest steeplechase, drawing a huge global audience for a spectacle unlike anything else.
And although there will be no crowds at Aintree this year due to coronavirus restrictions, Saturday’s Grand National still promises to be memorable.
Last year, a computer-generated contest replaced the live race, which was cancelled because of the pandemic. But this year’s race is live. Tiger Roll won the 2019 Grand National, ridden by Davy Russell, for the second year running.
To help you get involved in all the action, we have put together this easy-to-use sweepstake kit. We know many people are still not back in offices but that doesn’t mean you can’t run a sweepstake while social-distancing.
You could trust one family member or colleague to draw all the names out of the hat on your behalf – or set up a video call to ensure there is no cheating.
Om the page opposite are the names of the 40 top horses and the names of their trainers, plus four reserves, should any of the top 40 pull out, along with a guide to each horse’s form (information correct at the time of writing). Final declarations are announced today.
We suggest charging £2 a ticket, which will give you a prize kitty of £80.
Cut out the names opposite, throw them in a bag or box, get your friends or family to draw a ticket and fill in the list, below, with the details of who has picked which horse.
The winner will take away £40, the second £25, the third £10 and the fourth a fiver. Good luck!
■ Race coverage begins on ITV on Saturday, from 2pm, with the Randox Grand National starting at 5.15pm.