With millions of people expected to turn their eyes to Aintree racecourse at 5.15pm today we give you a full run down of the runners and riders and everything you need to do to potentially pick a winner.
Aachen (100/1) – The first of two contenders in the National for Venetia Williams. Williams was behind the shock 100/1 Mon Mome winner in 2009. Aachen is unlikely to follow in the footsteps but is described as an honest horse who previously used to run on the flats for Sheikh Mohammed.
Alvarado (40/1) – The closest Alvarado has come was his fourth place in 2015 behind Many Clouds. He has only ran once since last years race. He is however on a 5lb lower handicap mark than last year.
Balleycasey (80/1) – Once a class act his best form is over 2m2f and he was brought down at the canal turn last year. He is Willie Mullin’s trained and owned by Cheltenham Festival leader Rich Ricci – perhaps a strong team behind him may boost his chances.
Ballynagour (66/1) – Described as fragile this 10 year old has been rubbing shoulders at the highest level after an excellent Cheltenham Festival two years ago. His form this season has however been disappointing.
Bishops Road (25/1) – Trained by rookie Kerry Lee this 8 year old has a gritty determination and staying power. Owned by one of Aintree’s own directors this horse is likely to stay the full course.
Black Thunder (50/1) – Once upon a time this horse managed to beat Many Clouds which has allowed trainer Paul Nicholls to keep the faith. His three runs this season have been disappointing and this horse is currently up for sale.
Boston Bob (33/1) – Bob is a Grand One Winner who is saddled by Willie Mullins. It is unlikely that this one will stay the full course, based on form. However Mullins has long thought this as an ideal type for the race.
Buywise (50/1) – Trained by Evan Williams, who has had a horse place in the last five nationals. This 9 year old is talented however questions have been raised over his stamina and unorthodox jumping.
Double Ross (66/1) – Nigel Twiston-Davies has twice been a Grand National winning trainer with hopes of making it a hat-trick. This horse has experience of the Aintree fences but has not won since his days as a novice.
First Lieutenant (33/1) – This is a high class horse with plenty of experience. He suffered an early blunder in last year’s race and hasn’t won a race for three years.
Gallant Oscar (25/1) – This 10 year old has been earmarked for a National tilt since a strong show at Cheltenham and Punchestown last spring. Owned by JP McManus he has been steadily trained by Irish handler Tony Martin.
Gilgamboa (66/1) – Fielded by Cross-country chase expert Enda Bolger, this horse performed well at Cheltenham. His form is better suited to shorter distances and so he’s not expected to give owner JP McManus his second National title.
Goonyella (20/1) – This horse hails from the yard of Jim Draper, son of Tom who trained the legendary Arkle. He won the Midlands National and placed second in the Scottish equivalent last season. Goonyella is described as a major chance.
Hadrian’s Approach (50/1) – This horse is attractively handicapped on his best form but has not reached the heights that he once did as a novice. This one doesn’t like mud, not ideal when the going is soft with more rain forecast ahead of the big race.
Highland Lodge (50/1) – This horse has experience with the fences and did well during the Beecher’s Chase four months ago. He is a good jumper and has outstanding staying power, two things needed to do well in this race.
Holywell (16/1) – After thrashing Gold Cup winner Don Cossack in 2014 Jonjo O’Neill’s 9 year old lost his momentum. As such this horse has tumbled down the handicap but tends to come back alive in the Spring.
Home Farm (100/1) – This horse has taken on the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Irish National as 100/1 shot. His form has been way out for over three years but has still justified a place in the field.
Just a Par (40/1) – This was an expensive horse however he can be moody and uncooperative. He is however ridden by excellent young jockey, Sean Bowen, who has coaxed him in to a big race at Sandown that has highlighted the talent of Paul Nicholls’s 9 year old.
Katenko (80/1) – This horse has been described as a no-hoper. Trained by Venetia Williams this horse has shown nothing since his 2014 attempt on the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Knock House (100/1) – This horse has raw ability and is massively over priced. But the 7yo, trained by ex-England footballer Mick Channon, carries age and stamina negatives.
Kruzhlinin ( 25/1) – To be ridden by champion jockey-elect Richard Johnson who is yet to win the race after no less that 19 attempts. Owner Philp Hobb’s 9 year old has a definite ability here however he’s made several errors during his previous two national outings.
Le Reve (40/1) – This horse is a sold stayer with a preference for right-handed tracks that may steer him wrong of Aintree’s left handed track. This horse also runs better on ground that is not too soft. There are possibly two many factors stacked against this horse.
Maggio (150/1) – This is a seasoned and genuine 11 year old who is representing the small stable of Patrick Griffin. He performed well in the Topham Chase last season and is likely to perform similarly at 5.15pm.
Many Clouds (8/1)- This is one of the most impressive winners following last years Grand Naational. He defied a mammoth weight and clocked the second fastest time in Grand National history. He is a relentless galloper and appears in even better form that last year.
Morining Assembley (33/1) – A classy stater who has previously beat Gold Cup hero Don Cossack in his novice days. He has bounced back well from an injury absence and warmed up nicely at the Cheltenham Fesitval. This horse likes the mud and will relish in the rain.
Onenightinvienna (40/1) – Carrying the silks of 1986 hero West Top this is a useful youngester with excellent stamina. This course be the first Novice to win the National since 1958 and the first 7 year old to place since 1971.
The silks of 1986 Aintree hero West Tip will be carried by Philip Hobbs’s useful, stamina-laden youngster. However, no novices have won the National since 1958 and no seven-year-old has even been placed since 1971.
On His Own (40/1) – A previous Cheltenham Gold Cup runner up and saddled by Willie Mullins. His son Patrick will be on the plate. This horse is 12 year old and knows these fences well.
Pendra (66/1) – This is the least fancied of four runners for JP McManus. This horse has always been well regarded. Far from the biggest horse and well beaten in the Irish National
Perfect Candidate (66/1) – A specialist at Cheltenham however disappointing in the last two festivals. This horse takes his time to get in to stride but the 9 year old has the form to provide a surprise.
Present View (80/1) – This is a curious choice of race for the 8 year old who progresses more favourably over shorter trips. He bagged a good prize at the Cheltenham Festival but has not won under new trainer Jamie Snowden.
Rocky Creek (66/1) – This is the third attempt for Paul Nicholls’s 10 year old who made a credible fifth place in the 2014 race. The mount is 43-year-old veteran Andrew Thorton.
Rule The World (50/1) – Owned by Mouse Morris’s this 9 year old is get to land a race over fences. In general he is consistent and was a runner up in last year’s Irish National.
Saint Are (16/1) – Hoping to be third time lucky for Tom George’s 10 year old, who came 9th in 2013. This horse loves the Aintree fences and has excellent staying power.
Shutthefrontdoor (14/1) – Jonjo O’Neill’s 2014 Irish National winner gave Tony McCoy an excellent spin for this last Aintree ride. He has been quietly primed to go close again.
Silvianco Conti (12/1) – This horse is the winner of seven Grade One races and has made more than £1 million in prize money. This is Paul Nicholls’s class act of the race, the only concern being Stamina.
Sir Des Champs (40/1) – Runner-up in the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Willie Mullins’s injury-plagued 10yo has regressed since. However, he’s on a nice weight and wouldn’t be the first horse to be revitalised by this unique challenge.
Soll (50/1) – This is a big veteran who boasts four clear rounds over the Aintree Fences. This includes two Nationals when he placed seventh and ninth. He broke a blood vessel last year and is badly handicapped.
Giant veteran, who boasts four clear rounds over the Aintree fences, including in two Nationals when seventh and ninth. On the downside, he broke a blood vessel in last year’s race and is badly handicapped.
The Druids Nephew (16/1) – Leading and going well before he fell five from home in last year’s race just one month after winning at Cheltenham. He is now 9lbs higher and his preparation has been on point.
The Last Samuri (10/1) – Potentially the horse to give trainer Kim Bailey his second National 26 years after Mr Frish. He has risen through the ranks with some impressive displays.
The Romford Pele (50/1) – Named after ex-Arsenal star Ray Parlour this 9 year old is consistent. Form figures this season do not reflect three respectable runs at Cheltenham. The soft ground, with more rain to come, may impact negatively on his chances.
Triolo D’alene (33/1) – This horse has a previous winning streak on the Aintree fences when he won the Topham Chase in 2013 however the 9 year old was pulled up in the 2015 National.
Ucello Cconti (33/1) – This horse was Specifically bought for the race by owner Simon Munir where he had won eight of 21 starts. Based in the yard of Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Gordon Ellio
Unioniste (33/1) – Just like the 2012 winner, Neptune Collonges, he’s a grey trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by John Hales. Once a high-class prospect, he’s now a dour stayer who fell early on in last year’s National.
Vicas Canvas (66/1) – At 13, he’s the oldest in the race and no teenager has won it since 1923. Nevertheless, he remains reliable and ran a lovely race over these fences in the Becher Chase in December, jumping impeccably.
Vieux Lion Rouge (66/1) – This is a capable novice who will carry the colours of Caroline Tisdall. No seven year old has tasted National Glory for 76 years and this horse failed to stay 4m at the Cheltenham Festival last month.
Wonderful Charm (66/1) – This is one of five runners for champion Trainer Paul Nicholls. Sam Twiston-Davies rides. An exciting prospect but will unfulfilled potential.