WHAT COULD BE THE NATIONAL STORY?

SHANTOU FLYER The Cheltenham Festival runner-up would be part of history if he wins. Jockey James Bowen would become the youngest-ever winner. Bowen is 17 but three months younger than Bruce Hobbs when he won on Battleship in 1938. BLAKLION Trained by dual Grand National winner Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by his son, Sam. Disputing favouritism and will try to better last year’s fourth place after looking the likely winner when hitting the front four fences out. ANIBALE FLY Another co-favourite and potentially well handicapped after his Cheltenham Gold Cup third. Heads a strong Irish team which also includes Tiger Roll, Total Recall, Raz De Maree and Ucello Conti. SAINT ARE Surely this Tom George-trained Grand National veteran cannot win at the age of 12 but he boasts an admirable Aintree record. This is his fifth run. His previous finishes have been 9th (2013), 2nd (2015), pulled up (2016) and 3rd (2017). SPLASH OF GINGE Needs a bit of luck to get in the final 40 starters. His ebullient owner, John Neild, is a Scouser who bet £1,000 on his horse to win the Grand National before it had ever run. It is wins, the bet would net him £1million.