Pick your winner here

The top 40 horses in this list can run in Saturday’s Randox Grand National. Up to four reserves could get a run if any drop out before 1pm on Friday. Carl Evans looks at all the hopefuls

CHRIS’S DREAM

9yo, 11st 7lb

Form: 110-25P

Owner: Robcour

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead

CLASSY performer in

Ireland, as proved when just a neck behind The Storyteller at Down Royal in October. In four runs in Britain has yet to excel, including when pulled up in last month’s Ryanair Chase, and no evidence to show he yearns for a longdistance test of stamina, but for now the dream lives on.

DEFINITLY RED

12yo, 11st 1lb

Form: 21-8F4

Owners: Phil & Julie Martin

Trainer: Brian Ellison

CONSISTENT veteran, 15 wins and eight places in

37 starts, but well beaten by Cloth Cap, the bookies’ favourite for the race, when they met at Kelso, and now carries 10lb more than that rival. Unlucky in 2017 National when saddle slipped, but it is hard to envisage his misspelled name appearing on the winner’s trophy.

BRISTOL DE MAI

10yo, 11st 10lb

Form: 229-12

Owners: Simon Munir &

Isaac Souede

Trainer: Nigel

Twiston-Davies

Jockey: Daryl Jacob

IMPRESSIVE-LOOKING grey with ability to match. Won a third Grade One Betfair Chase in November and then fine second to a Gold Cup winner at Sandown in February. This has been the aim since, copes with any ground, jockey and trainer are past National winners.

YALA ENKI

11yo, 11st 3lb

Form: 313-2F314

Owner: Hills of Ledbury

Trainer: Paul Nicholls

Jockey: Bryony Frost

A SEASONED and successful campaigner in long-distance chases and forged a good relationship with Bryony Frost. Fell in December’s Becher Chase over these fences, and revels in deep mud, which is unlikely on Saturday. Races prominently, and owner’s colours (yellow, blue spots) hard to miss.

LAKE VIEW LAD

11yo, 11st

Form: 33-155

Owner: Trevor Hemmings

Trainer: Nick Alexander

Jockey: Henry Brooke

ACHIEVED a career high in

December when landing a

Grade Two chase at Aintree, but well beaten in two subsequent races, and his sole National effort resulted in a pulled-up in 2019. Ground not soft enough on that occasion and similar position likely on Saturday. Last of five behind Cloth Cap latest.

THE STORYTELLER

10yo, 11st 8lb

Form: P11211225

Owner: Pat Sloan

Trainer: Denise Foster

Jockey: Keith Donoghue

THIS versatile horse has been in good form this season, finishing runner-up in the Grade

One Irish Gold Cup over fences and in Leopardstown’s Grade One Christmas Hurdle. More recently was a game fifth of 15 in Cheltenham’s Stayers’ Hurdle. Has yet to face a race of this length.

BALLYOPTIC

11yo, 11st 1lb

Form: 401-P067

Owner: Mills & Mason

Partnership

Trainer: Nigel

Twiston-Davies

WAS running well in the 2019 National until falling four out, but roared back with three wins the following season. Interspersed those good efforts with a very moderate run in the Becher Chase and his performances this season have been below par. For that reason this optic is bally well best watched.

BURROWS SAINT

8yo, 10st 13lb Form: 31-262 Owner: Susannah Ricci Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend WILLIE MULLINS, who won the National in 2005 with Hedgehunter, enjoyed a superb Cheltenham Festival and has a strong hand in this race. Not one of his stable’s front-line stars, but he won the Irish Grand National as a six-year-old and has not fallen in 20 races. Won’t mind drying ground. Good chance.

TALKISCHEAP

9yo, 10st 12lb

Form: 51/3P-30

Owner: Charles Dingwall

Trainer: Alan King

WON Sandown’s Bet365

Gold Cup two years ago, but gained a sharp rise in the handicap for that victory which has not really helped him add to his tally of wins. He was well beaten under top weight at Kempton on latest start and yet to run at Aintree or sample the fences, although has not fallen in 20 races.

MISTER MALARKY

8yo, 10st 12lb

Form: P1P-6U173

Owner: Wendy &

Malcolm Hezel

Trainer: Colin Tizzard

HAD an operation to improve his breathing then ran a fine race when third in a 17-runner handicap chase at Kempton. Go back two years and he was second at Aintree in an 18-runner chase, but that was over the smaller Mildmay fences. There’ll be no malarky-ing around in this test.

BALKO DES FLOS

10yo, 10st 9lb

Form: 44-4764U

Owner: RacehorseClub

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead

IN 2018 this class act won

Cheltenham’s Ryanair

Chase. Ran well in defeat on couple of occasions the following season, but form has tailed off and he unseated in recent chase at Cheltenham. Now carries a winnable weight and recently sold for £110,000 at an online auction. The Aintree dream has quite a pull.

OK CORRAL

11yo, 10st 8lb

Form: 091-P

Owner: JP McManus

Trainer: Nicky Henderson

Jockey: Derek O’Connor

PULLED up on latest start at the Cheltenham Festival, but he carries an attractive weight, and has never fallen. Is ridden by a top Irish amateur, but trainer has saddled 39 National runners since 1979 and has yet to win the race. On balance this is one gunfight he won’t be winning.

MAGIC OF LIGHT

10yo, 10st 13lb

Form: 8-4128

Owner: Ann & Alan Potts Limited Trainer: Jessie Harrington

Jockey: Robbie Power

THIS mare is magic in hurdle races and chases against her own sex, but career highlight came when second to Tiger Roll in the 2019 National. Failed to shine on latest start when unplaced in mares’ chase at Cheltenham, but 2½ miles was too short. This test will show her in a better light.

TOUT EST PERMIS

8yo, 10st 12lb

Form: 53-2359P4F

Owner: Gigginstown

House Stud

Trainer: Noel Meade

CARRIES the same colours as Tiger Roll, and a capable performer in his own right. Has faced some tough assignments while being kept busy over the past couple of seasons, picking up prize money when being placed, but has not won since January 2019. Unlikely to regain winning thread in this race.

KIMBERLITE CANDY

9yo, 10st 10lb

Form: P/21-2

Owner: JP McManus

Trainer: Tom Lacey

Jockey: Richie McLernon

SOUND jumper – not fallen in 20 races – and for past two years finished second over National fences in the Becher Chase. This is a longer test, but victory in the 2020 Classic Chase at Warwick suggests stamina is unlikely to be an issue. Easy to be sweet on Candy, but soft ground would help.

TAKINGRISKS

12yo, 10st 7lb

Form: 65-P41

Owner: Frank Bird

Trainer: Nicky Richards

THIS wonderful veteran was a 25/1 winner of the

Scottish National over four miles in 2019, and after a run of less-good efforts raced back to form for a 40/1 victory at Doncaster on latest start. Those who back him are taking no risks on stamina, but he has yet to face Aintree’s fences. More pertinently, will younger legs outrun him?

ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS

11yo, 10st 12lb Form: 261-251

Owner: Slaneyville Syndicate Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Danny Mullins CONCEDED 6lb to stablemate Burrows Saint when beating him in February’s Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, revenging a defeat by that rival when they were first and third in the 2019 Irish Grand National. Has shown he is good on a faster surface. A leading chance.

ANIBALE FLY

11yo, 10st 12lb

Form: 9883-5

Owner: JP McManus

Trainer: Tony Martin

Jockey: Mark Walsh

HAS finished fourth and fifth in this race (Tiger Roll won both times) and now carries a good bit less weight after being well beaten at other tracks, albeit in top-class races. Finished last behind Acapella Bourgeois on latest start, but a sound jumper (one fall in 29 races) and could put up another good show.

ANY SECOND NOW

9yo, 10st 9lb

Form: 1-99P1

Owner: JP McManus

Trainer: Ted Walsh

WON a handicap chase over

3¼ miles at the Cheltenham

Festival in 2019, then fell when fancied to land the Irish Grand National a few weeks later. Has not been asked to race over a marathon trip since, and latest win was over two miles. Trained by Ruby Walsh’s father Ted, who saddled the 2000 National winner Papillon.

ALPHA DES OBEAUX

11yo, 10st 9lb

Form: 595PP4

Owner: Gigginstown

House Stud

Trainer: Denise Foster

CLASS act in his youth, and just one fall in 43 races, the tumble coming at the Chair when running well in the 2018 National. Later third in the Becher Chase over the big fences. On the downgrade, but ran OK when fourth in Cheltenham’s cross-country chase. Not Tiger Roll, but from same stable.

SHATTERED LOVE

10yo, 10st 7lb

Form: 26-31023

Owner: Gigginstown

House Stud

Trainer: Denise Foster

THIS mare is one of several

National hopefuls for trainer

Denise “Sneezy” Foster. Has completed all but one of 33 races (pulled up in Irish National on sole attempt at staying race) and ran well when third in mares’ chase at Cheltenham Festival, but those who back her likely to be heartbroken.

“Peter Scudamore never won a National,

but son Tom rides a horse on a rising curve”

ABOUT FAVOURITE CLOTH CAP

JETT

10yo, 10st 7lb

Form: P78P06

Owner: Robert Waley-Cohen

Trainer: Jessie Harrington

Jockey: Sam Waley-Cohen

GAINED experience of the Grand National fences when running in December’s Becher Chase (won by Vieux

Lion Rouge), but after making much of the running he finished last of eight runners who completed. Has faded tamely in a couple of races since, and while his jockey is mustard at Aintree the National requires a jet finish.

POTTERS CORNER

11yo, 10st 6lb

Form: P011-37P

Owner: RacehorseClub

Trainer: Christian Williams

Jockey: Jack Tudor

THIS Welsh contender won the Welsh National at Chepstow in December 2019, an incomparable moment for his owners, trainer and teenage rider. Third in a cross-country race in November was followed by two hurdle runs that have primed him for another big effort, but soft ground would help.

MILAN NATIVE

8yo, 10st 6lb

Form: 1-12P09

Owner: Gigginstown

House Stud

Trainer: Denise Foster

WON the Fulke Walwyn Kim

Muir Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last year, and when returning for that meeting last month ran OK but finished unplaced in a handicap chase (lost shoe may have accounted for sticky jumping). Right age, nice weight, but another contender who has yet to prove he’ll relish this test.

VIEUX LION ROUGE

12yo, 10st 5lb

Form: 97-510

Owners: Prof Caroline

Tisdall & John Gent

Trainer: David Pipe

VIEUX (old) has become an appropriate name for this grand horse, who showed no signs of ageing with a victory in November’s Becher Chase over these fences (also won in 2016). This is his fifth attempt on the National, but while he completes the course he has been well beaten.

MINELLACELEBRATION

11yo, 10st 5lb

Form: 2-11UU7

Owner: Nick Elliott

Trainer: Katy Price

Jockey: Ben Poste

FROM yard in Welsh Borders, this horse has fallen once in 37 races and his two unseats this season have been pure bad luck (jockey lost stirrup and unseated on Flat, then hampered by rival next time out). Well beaten when completing in 2019 Becher Chase. Unlikely to be cause of celebrations.

LORD DU MESNIL

8yo, 10st 6lb

Form: 22-4991

Owners: Paul Porter & Mike

& Mandy Smith

Trainer: Richard Hobson

Jockey: Paul O’Brien

STAYED on dourly for victory in Haydock Park’s Grand National Trial over 3½ miles in February, but soft ground was a vital factor and that is unlikely on Saturday. Had a look at Aintree’s fences when unplaced in December’s Sefton Chase and well beaten in January’s Welsh National.

CLASS CONTI

9yo, 10st 6lb

Form: F2-P034

Owners: Simon Munir &

Isaac Souede

Trainer: Willie Mullins

EX-FRENCH horse who showed talent when successful as a youngster in his homeland, and has paid his way since arriving in Ireland. Good efforts in well-known Irish handicap chases – the Thyestes Chase and Leinster National – on his two most recent starts, but his stamina for 4½ miles is unproven.

DISCORAMA

8yo, 10st 6lb

Form: 833-25

Owners: Thomas Friel &

Andrew Gemmell

Trainer: Paul Nolan

LIGHTLY raced in recent seasons, but showed he was not short of stamina when runner-up over nearly four miles in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in 2019. Coped with the hurlyburly of a 23-runner field when third in a handicap chase there last year, and could make a few of these rivals dance to his tune.

CLOTH CAP

9yo, 10st 5lb

Form: 4328-311

Owner: Trevor Hemmings

Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill

Jockey: Tom Scudamore

OWNER Trevor Hemmings has won three Nationals, always wearing a cloth cap, hence the name of this horse, who gives him a chance of win number four. Eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore never won the National, but son Tom rides a horse on a rising curve. Kelso and Newbury victories, and now favourite.

CANELO

8yo, 10st 4lb

Form: 1-012143

Owner: JP McManus

Trainer: Alan King

Jockey: Tom Cannon

CONSISTENT former British point-to-pointer who has improved plenty since winning at Aintree (not over the National fences) in November when fitted with cheekpieces. Won decent prize at Wetherby on Boxing Day and good third on recent start, but yet to face these fences or tackle such an extreme journey.

CABARET QUEEN

9yo, 10st 5lb

Form: 0-31238P

Owner: Syndicates Racing

Trainer: Willie Mullins

WON Ireland’s Kerry

National (by the smallest of margins) in September, and chased home Shattered Love at Clonmel the following month. But limitations exposed when well-beaten third in mares’ chase at Fairyhouse in January and was pulled up at halfway in similar race at Cheltenham last month. Won’t be the ruling monarch here.

THE LONG MILE

7yo, 10st 4lb

Form: 1-F103

Owner: JP McManus

Trainer: Philip Dempsey

Jockey: Jody McGarvey

NO seven-year-old has won the National since Bogskar in 1940, and while this is a progressive young horse he is unlikely to match that feat. Became a National candidate when winning a 15-runner handicap chase at Limerick in December. That was over 2½ miles, this is 4½ miles. The final mile will feel very long.

GIVE ME A COPPER

11yo, 10st 4lb

Form: 17-2P

Owners: Done, Ferguson,

Mason, Nicholls & Wood

Trainer: Paul Nicholls

Jockey: Harry Cobden

THIS lightly raced horse has given his owners (including former football manager Sir Alex Ferguson) some fun days out, not least with his most recent win in a Listed chase at Wincanton in November 2019. Was fourth that year in big race at Sandown, but unlikely to be in the money here.

SUB LIEUTENANT

12yo, 10st 3lb

Form: 4-0244 Owner/trainer: Georgie

Howell

Jockey: Tabitha Worsley

FROM a small string of horses trained by Georgie Howell and ridden by daughter Tabitha Worsley, who won Foxhunters’ Chase over National fences in 2019. Bought in September for £50,000, a reflection of his talent when younger. Had two fair runs, and this year’s number one fairy tale.

AMI DESBOIS

11yo, 10st 2lb

Form: 62P-22

Owner: Reserved Judgment

Partnership

Trainer: Graeme

McPherson

Jockey: Kielan Woods

TRAINED by a barrister, was a smart novice hurdler who has become a reliable handicap chaser. Wins prize money, if not the race, but rarely been asked to race beyond three miles and yet to try the Aintree fences. Little weight to carry, could run well at big price.

SECRET REPRIEVE

7yo, 10st 1lb

Form: 22-F11

Owners: William &

Angela Rucker

Trainer: Evan Williams

Jockey: Adam Wedge

NOT certain to get a run, and would need soft ground to show his best, but an interesting contender who fulfilled an ambition for his trainer when landing the Welsh National in January. Only seven, and could have a bigger chance next year, but definitely one to note.

DEISE ABA

8yo, 10st

Form 15-PP1P

Owner: Trevor Hemmings

Trainer: Philip Hobbs

LIGHTLY raced gelding who won an Irish point-topoint on debut and who until this season had been consistently in the money. That reliability has been less apparent of late, with a win and three times pulled up, the latest at the Cheltenham Festival. Not sure of a run and less chance of winning this great race.

FARCLAS

7yo, 10st 3lb

Form: 11-5342

Owner: Gigginstown

House Stud

Trainer: Denise Foster

Jockey: Jack Kennedy

COMES alive when the ground starts to dry, and ran a super race at the Cheltenham Festival when second in a handicap chase. Put in good effort when third of 22 in Leopardstown handicap chase at Christmas. Enters the unknown on stamina and at seven could be one for a future National.

HOGAN’S HEIGHT

10yo, 10st 3lb

Form: 715-P6

Owner: Foxtrot Racing

Trainer: Jamie Snowden

PULLED clear for easy win in the 2019 Sefton Chase over the National fences, but missed chance to run in last year’s National when it was abandoned. Two runs in hurdle races plus the recent cross-country chase at Cheltenham, in which he was last of six to finish, suggest Hogan’s is unlikely to hit the heights.

BLAKLION

12yo, 10st 2lb

Form: 85/074

Owners: Darren &

Annaley Yates

Trainer: Dan Skelton

SENT off the 8/1 favourite for the 2017 National, and going like the winner until bumped and the petrol tank emptied after the penultimate fence. Looked better the following season when easy winner of the Becher Chase, but brought down at the first in 2018 race and has shown little in three runs this season.

KAUTO RIKO

10yo, 10st

Form: 2520-4

Owner: Mr & Mrs J Dale and Partners

Trainer: Tom Gretton

PRODUCED a career best when second in the Grade Two Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon in December 2019 and subsequently served up a good performance when second to Definitly Red at Kelso. Has completed the course in all but one (pulled up) of 21 races, but has yet to race over three miles, let alone this marathon trip.

VALTOR

12yo, 10st

Form: 32-068U

Owner: Simon Munir & Isaac

Souede

Trainer: Nicky Henderson

COMPLETED the 2019 running of the National when 18th of 40 runners behind winner Tiger Roll, but faded out of contention in final half mile and was beaten 76 lengths. Will carry 17lb less if getting a run in Saturday’s race, but has been disappointing this season and questions remain over his stamina.

MINELLA TIMES

8yo, 10st 3lb

Form: 20-122

Owner: JP McManus

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead

Jockey: Rachael Blackmore

ALTHOUGH beaten in his two most recent starts he has finished ahead of no fewer than 40 rivals (second in a pair of 22-runner handicap chases). Fell on his debut in a point-to-point, but has jumped well and stayed on his feet in 17 further races. Progressive and has a featherweight in the National, but stamina unproven.

DOUBLE SHUFFLE

11yo, 10st 2lb Form: 7-9316

Owner: Crossed Fingers Partnership

Trainer: Tom George GOOD jumper (one fall in 33 races) who reached the second-last fence in the 2017 National before pulling up (now has 9lb less on his back which will help in this test). Also completed the course when 12th in the 2019 Topham Trophy over the National fences, and has been running well this season.

SOME NECK

10yo, 10st 1lb

Form: F-63103

Owner: Some Neck

Partnership

Trainer: John McConnell

THIRD to an invincible Tiger

Roll in Cheltenham’s recent cross-country race (beaten 20 lengths by the winner), and was a narrow winner of a similar race at the track in December. Those efforts proved he could handle unusual fences and has the stamina, but you’d be sticking your neck out to suggest he can win a National.

FAGAN

11yo, 10st

Form: 70-631

Owner: Brackenbury

Trainer: Alex Hales

A USEFUL hurdler and chaser when trained in

Ireland by Gordon Elliott. Just one attempt at a marathon race when pulled up in fourmile Scottish National in 2018, then absent for two years before joining current stable in Oxfordshire. Steady progress since, and won well at Newbury in January. An unlikely twist in his tale is possible.

GOLAN FORTUNE

9yo, 10st

Form: 94314340

Owner: P Middleton &

M Lowther

Trainer: Phil Middleton

COMPLETED the course in last month’s Midlands National (4¼m) but never threatened the race leaders and finished 14th, beaten 31 lengths by the winner. Won a four-runner race at Ludlow in December and ran well when fourth of 12 in an Aintree hurdle in November, but you are unlikely to win a fortune by backing him.