Five Grand National sub-plots

Can Clouds strike again?

History suggests there’s more chance of finding Shergar alive in a field in Connemara than there is of Many Clouds winning back-to-back Nationals. Red Rum was the last to do it back in 1974, but he was Red Rum, a National legend, who went on to finish second twice before claiming his historic third win in 1977. But that said, Many Clouds looks bullet-proof and has peaked at just the right time. Disenchanted with his day job, Leighton Aspell retired in 2007. Two years later he was back riding. Today he has a shot at rewriting the record books as the first jockey to win the National three years on the trot after Pineau De Re (2014) and Many Clouds (2015). For good measure Many Clouds’ owner Trevor Hemmings will become the first owner to win the race four times should that happen. Bookies braced

Once a year punters and betting shop regulars have their betting slips poised to plunge on Many Clouds with British bookies fearing “Black Saturday” a fortnight after the hammering they took at the Cheltenham Festival. Reports suggest bookies lost up to £60 million at Cheltenham – a win for Many Clouds would see mass cancellations of Caribbean holidays. Master Mullins closing on Nicholls

The last time an overseas trainer won the British jump trainer title, Marilyn Monroe was married to Joe DiMaggio, Rock Around The Clock made an appearance at No 1, Roger Bannister ran his sub four-minute mile and Switzerland hosted the World Cup. The year was 1954, Vincent O’Brien was Britain’s Irish champion trainer. 62 years later, Willie Mullins is oddson to repeat the feat. By close of business Thursday he was only the price of a bookie’s second-hand Jag shy of Paul Nicholls. BBC commentator

Anyone tuning in to listen to the great race on BBC Radio 5 will hear the voice of Gary O’Brien. If there is added tension and excitement in his voice it is due to his shared ownership of one of the 40-runners, Vics Canvas. The late voice of racing Peter O’Sullevan famously held his nerve to call home Attivo winning the 1974 Triumph Hurdle. –