Following a dry evening in Liverpool an early morning going report indicates that the National course going is heavy, soft in places. No further rain is forecast before starters orders.
It is estimated that 12.9 Million people will head to the bookmakers to place a bet on the 2018 Randox Health Grand National, with an estimated spend of £250M.
The 2018 Randox Health Grand National will see three female jockeys line up for the first time in hopes of making history to become the first female rider to take the win.
The 40 confirmed runners and riders are as follows:
Blaklion (12/1) – The heaviest of the 40 horses to line up at 5.15pm today, weighing in at 11st 10lbs. Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and being ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies for the big race. Blaklion is making The Grand National his first appearance on the track following a wind operation. Blaklion finished 4th in the 2017 Randox Health Grand National.
Gas Line Boy (25/1) – Trained by Ian Williams and to be ridden by Robert Dunne. Gas Line Boy has had success over the Grand National fences with a comfortable win of the 188Bet Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2m 5f) in December, 2017. This is Gas Line Boy’s third National. In his first run, he fell at the first hurdle before finishing fifth in the 2017 race.
Perfect Candidate (50/1) – Owned by ISL Recruitment, Trained by Fergal O’Brien and to be ridden by Alain Cawley. Pulled up before the fourth-last fence in the 2017 Randox Health Grand National won by One For Arthur. Of 30 jump races, he has won 7 and placed in 4.
Pleasant Company (33/1) – Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by David Mullins. A lightly raced start having made just nine chase appearances. Finished ninth in the 2017 Randox Health Grand National, having stumbled badly at the 25th fence. Interestingly, Pleasant Company has never fallen or unseated a rider.
Raz De Maree (20/1) – Trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Robbie Power. Already has four ‘Nationals’ to his credit, when becoming the oldest horse to win the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow earlier this season. Unseated his rider Ger Fox in the 2017 Randox Health Grand National at Becher’s Brook (sixth fence) when ducking left to try and avoid a faller.
Saint Are (40/1) – Trained by Tom George and to be ridden by A. P .Heskin. Has contested four Grand Nationals at Aintree, with his best efforts coming when second to Many Clouds in 2015 and then third to One For Arthur in 2017.
The Last Samuri (18/1) – Trained by Kim Bailey and to be ridden by David Bass. Has run well on all four starts this season, including second to Blaklion in Aintree’s Randox Health Becher Chase in December. Has lined up in latest two renewals of the Randox Health Grand National – finishing the six-length runner-up to Rule The World in 2016 and 16th last year.
Total Recall (12/1) – Trained by Willie Mullins and to be ridden by P. Townend. Won on his three other starts this season since joining Willie Mullins, having previously been with Sandra Hughes who relinquished her training licence. Wore down Whisper to win the valuable Ladbrokes Trophy by a neck at Newbury in December. Many Clouds is the only horse to have won both the Ladbrokes Trophy and Randox Health Grand National.
Ucello Conti (18/1) – Trained by Gordon Elliot and to be ridden by Daryl Jacob. Unseated his rider at the 22nd in last year’s Randox Health Grand National. Came an excellent sixth in the 2016 Randox Health Grand National off the same rating of 149.
Thunder and Roses (50/1) – Trained by M.F Morris and ridden by J.J Slevin. Thunder and Roses takes the place of Minella Rocco after withdrawal on account of the ground.
Alpha Des Obeaux (33/1) – Trained by M. F. Morris and ridden by Rachael Blackmore. Posted two best performances over fences in the early part of this season, headed by a five and a half-length victory in the G2 Clonmel Oil Chase (2m 4f) on November 16.
Anibale Fly (12/1) – Trained by A. J. Martin and to be ridden Barry Geraghty. Defied 11st 8lb to win the hugely competitive Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, in which he defeated fellow Aintree contender Ucello Conti by seven lengths.
Buywise (50/1) – Trained by Evan Williams and to be ridden by Adam Wedge. On course for second Randox Health Grand National start, having finished 12th behind Rule The World in 2016 when a mistake at the 17th put paid to his chance.
Regal Encore (25/1) – Trained by Anthony Honeyball and to be ridden by Richie McLernon Inconsistent sort who was pulled up in a Listed handicap event (3m) at Ascot in December, having previously finished a fine third at 66/1 in the Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap Chase (3m 2f) at Newbury on December 2.
Shantou Flyer (25/1) – Trained by Richard Hobson and to be ridden by James Bowen. 17-year-old James Bowen is having his first ride in the four and a quarter-mile contest. Pulled up before the fourth last fence in last year’s Randox Health Grand National on final start for trainer Rebecca Curtis, when rated 156, before joining Richard Hobson ahead of the current season.
Tiger Roll (12/1) – Trained by Gordon Elliott and to be ridden by Davy Russell. Three-time winner at the Cheltenham Festival, the most recent of which came last month in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.
Vieux Lion Rouge (28/1) – Trained by David Pipe and to be ridden by Tom Scudamore. Finished an excellent sixth in the 2017 Randox Health Grand National, having travelled well into the race approaching the third-last fence. Came home seventh, beaten 48 lengths by Rule The World, in the 2016 Grand National on soft going.
Warriors Tale (33/1) – Trained by Paul Nicholls and to be ridden by Sean Bowen. Produced career-best on his latest start when going down by a head to Wakanda in the Listed Sky Bet Handicap Chase (3m) at Doncaster on January 27, after which he was purchased by three-time Grand National-winning owner Trevor Hemmings.
DelusionofGrandeur (50/1) – Trained by Sue Smith and to be ridden by Henry Brooke. Brought in as a reserve after Vincente withdrew. The second lightest horse of the 2018 Randox Health Grand National weighing in at 10st5lb.
Baie Des Iles (16/1) – Trained by Ross O’Sullivan and to be ridden by Ms K. Walsh. This is an owner/ jockey, Husband/ Wife combination. Katie achieved achieved the highest-ever finish by a female rider in the Aintree spectacular when third aboard Seabass, trained by her father, Ted, in 2012.
Bless the Wings (50/1) – Trained by Gordon Elliot and to be ridden by Jack Kennedy. Veteran performer who began his career in England with Alan King before moving to Gordon Elliott in Ireland during the summer of 2014. Pulled up in the Irish National on April 2.
Captain Redbeard (16/1) – Trained by Stuart Coltherd and to be ridden by Sam Coltherd. Aiming to become third Scottish-trained winner of the Randox Health Grand National following Rubstic (1979) and One For Arthur (2017). Has been in great form this winter and warmed up for Aintree with handicap hurdle victory over an extended two and a half miles at Ayr on March 10.
Carlingford Lough (40/1) – Trained by John E. Kiely and to be ridden by Mark Walsh. Out of form so far this season, most recently being pulled up in the G1 Leopardstown Christmas Chase on December 27.
Chase the Spud (22/1) – Trained by Fergal O’Brien and to be ridden by Paddy Brennan. Mud-lover who enjoyed the biggest success of his career in the Listed Midlands National at Uttoxeter in March, 2017. Has won three other chases during his career, all on soft or heavy so going is likely to be in his favour.
Children’s List (66/1) – Trained by Willie Mullins and to be ridden by Jonathan Burke. Has had two runs this season, finishing second over two miles three and a half furlongs at Limerick in October and then pulling up in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown in February.
Double Ross (50/1) – Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and to be ridden by Tom Bellamy. One of the most experienced runners in the Randox Health Grand National Festival field, with 47 runs to his name. Pulled up in the 2016 Randox Health Grand National, but his saddle slipped.
Final Nudge (33/1) – Trained by David Dennis and to be ridden by Gavin Sheehan. Excellent third behind fellow Randox Health Grand National contender Raz De Maree in the G3 Coral Welsh National over an extended three miles and five furlongs at Chepstow on heavy ground in January.
Houblon des Obeaux (25/1) – Trained by Venetia Williams and to be ridden by Charlie Deutsch. xperienced chaser who has run well all season, including when third in an Ascot three-mile handicap chase last time out on March 25, except when pulled up in extended four-mile Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle on February 24. He finished 10th in last year’s Randox Health Grand National, making some late progress.
I Just Know (16/1) – Trained by Sue Smith and to be ridden by Danny Cook. Most recent run was over hurdles at Uttoxeter, where he finished second of four in a novices’ hurdle on heavy ground on March 17.
Lord Windermere (40/1) – Trained by Jim Culloty and to be ridden by Andrew Lynch. Last seen out when falling at the 10th when having every chance in the G3 Randox Health Becher Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree in December, 2017, his only run this term. Winless since his Cheltenham Gold Cup success, including when pulled up under top-weight in the 2015 Grand National and running well when seventh in the 2017 renewal.
Maggio (50/1) – Trained by Patrick Griffin and to be ridden by Brendan Powell. Missed the cut by four for the 2016 Randox Health Grand National and was ruled out of last year’s renewal following a late setback. If successful on Saturday, he will be the first 13-year-old to prevail since Sergeant Murphy in 1923.
Milansbar (28/1) – Trained by Neil King and to be ridden by Bryony Frost. Won the Betfred Classic Handicap Chase in good style at Warwick over three miles and five furlongs on January 11 – the race that 2017 Randox Grand National winner took beforehand.
Pendra (66/1) – Trained by Charlie Longsdon and to be ridden by Aidan Coleman. Has only made two appearances in last two seasons – was the 16/1 runner-up, beaten three quarters of a length, behind Domesday Book in the 2017 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and finished unplaced in the same race this year. Finished 13th behind Rule The World in 2016 Grand National.
Road to Riches (50/1) – Trained by Noel Meade and to be ridden by Sean Flanagan. Below form so far this season, most recently being pulled up in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown on February 11. Winless since taking G2 Clonmel Oil Chase in November, 2015.
Seeyouatmidnight (11/1) – Trained by Sandy Thomson and to be ridden by Brian Hughes. Off the track this season until reappearing at Newbury on March 24, when third under top-weight in a handicap chase over two and a half miles to qualify to run in the Randox Health Grand National.
Tenor Nivernais (66/1) – Trained by Venetia Williams and to be ridden by Tom O’Brien. Finished 17th to One For Arthur in 2017 Randox Health Grand National and has never fallen.Last success came in a Listed Handicap Chase at Ascot in February, 2017.
The Dutchman (18/1) – Trained by Collin Tizzard and to be ridden by Harry Cobden. Pulled up on his most recent start, in the Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase over an extended three and a half miles at Haydock Park on February 17 when breaking blood vessel.
Valseur Lido (50/1) – Trained by Henry de Bromhead and to be ridden by Keith Donoghue. Four starts so far this year, most recently coming home third in conditions chase over two and a half miles at Clonmel in March, 2018. Untried at much beyond three miles.
Virgilio (50/1) – Trained by Dan Skelton and to be ridden by Harry Skelton. Has undergone wind surgery since latest run when pulled up in a handicap chase at Doncaster over three miles in December. Boasts a fine record at Aintree, registering three victories from six starts on the Mildmay or Hurdle courses, including a seven-length victory at the track in May, 2017.