- Grand National
Grand National Pinstickers' Guide
Arguably the world's most famous race takes place at Aintree on Saturday and millions will be punted by the informed and the ill-informed. ESPN.co.uk's finest minds have been burning the candle deep into the night to point you in the direction with our ultimate pinstickers' guide.
1. Madison Du Berlais 50/1 Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Tom Scudamore
The class horse in the race and a confirmed pace setter who is likely to give a grand sight for much of the way, but the combination of big weight and extra distance could see him waving the white flag before the run for home. Rating: **
2. Mon Mome 11/1 Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Last year's shock 100/1 winner will be nothing like that price and he looks to have been teed up for the race. Has shown steady progress this season and nothing was finishing faster in the Gold Cup. If that race has blown away the cobwebs, he stands a live chance of repeating his win but bear in mind that only one horse has carried more than 11-5 to win since the 1970s and that was a certain Red Rum. Rating: ****
3. Vic Venturi 16/1 Trainer: Dessie Hughes Jockey: Paddy Flood
One of two Dessie Hughes challengers, like Black Apalachi he has a live chance. Three times a winner this season, including from his stablemate in February, he is sure to be involved at the business end and the more rain the better for this mudlark. Rating: ****
4. Black Apalachi 12/1 Trainer: Dessie Hughes Jockey: Denis O'Regan
In the veteran stage of his career at 11, but that is no barrier to victory and with cast-iron course form his claims are obvious. A winner of the Becher Chase in 2008, he was leading in last year's National when tipping up at Becher's Brook second time round. He produced a fine prep run when second to Vic Venturi at Fairyhouse in February, but will have to defy a big weight. Rating: ****
5. Joe Lively 66/1 Trainer: Colin Tizzard Jockey: Joe Tizzard
Another confirmed front runner, but he has looked out of sorts this season. Connections will hope the unique challenge of Aintree will bring about a revival. Rating: **
6. Don't Push It 20/1 Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill Jockey: AP McCoy
Has the class to win a race of this quality and has always looked as if he would relish an extreme test of stamina, but the nagging doubt is his penchant for belting the odd fence. Rating: ***
7. Comply Or Die 20/1 Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Timmy Murphy
Winner in 2008 and second in 2009, he is a lover of the unique test of Aintree. He has dropped a couple of pounds in the ratings and after running better than his finishing position suggests at Cheltenham last month, he is virtually guaranteed to give his supporters a run for their money. Rating: ****
8. Tricky Trickster 16/1 Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Barry Geraghty
If he hadn't run in the Gold Cup last time out, he would probably be favourite. But he did and that slovenly display put doubts in the mind and prompted jockey Ruby Walsh to jump ship to Big Fella Thanks. Could well bounce back as he looks sure to relish the stamina test, but it is a leap of faith after his effort at Cheltenham. Rating: ***
9. Niche Market 16/1 Trainer: Bob Buckler Jockey: Harry Skelton
This has been the aim for much of the season and he has some top-class form to his name behind the likes of Denman. Ran well for a long way at Cheltenham before being tapped for toe and will enjoy the test of stamina. Won't mind which way the ground goes and looks a real contender. Rating: ****
10. Made In Taipan 150/1 Trainer: Tom Mullins Jockey: Niall Madden
Has proved a consistent performer at a good level but his form suggests that he will be crying enough a long way from home. Rating: *
11. Dream Alliance 33/1 Trainer: Phillip Hobbs Jockey: Tom O'Brien
The fairytale story of the race, Dream Alliance was reared on an allotment and battled back from a career-threatening injury to win the Welsh National. He can throw in the odd shocker, but on a going day will be in with a live chance. Rating: **
12. Cloudy Lane 33/1 Trainer: Donald McCain Jockey: Jason Maguire
Has long been talked of as a National contender by connections, but he is as clumsy as a bull in a china shop and you are just waiting for the moment he will take a fence by the roots. Rating: *
13. Nozic 80/1 Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Liam Treadwell
There is no doubting the talent, but he is somewhat inconsistent and for all that the Aintree fences could spark him into life, they could just as easily turn him off. Has the services of last year's winning jockey, but we are not going to get a repeat. Rating: **
14. My Will 40/1 Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Nick Scholfield
Another of the Nicholls brigade and something of a forgotten horse. All the talk has been about Big Fella Thanks and Tricky Trickster, but this hardy battler holds a live chance. He was a never-dangerous seventh in the Gold Cup last month, but that run will have put an edge on him and could well go better than his third place 12 months ago: Rating: *****
15. Pablo Du Charmil 150/1 Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Danny Cook
Is said to have schooled well over the National fences at home, but don't they all? Fell on his most recent outing, enough said: Rating: *
16. Ballyholland 25/1 Trainer: Colin McBratney Jockey: Andrew McNamara
Won twice last summer and returned to action with victory at Naas to put himself in the National mix. Disappointed last time, but the ground should be more suitable on this occasion and has the services of Irish Grand National-winning jockey Andrew McNamara. Rating: ***
17. Backstage 20/1 Trainer: Gordon Elliott: Jockey: Davy Condon
Another Irish raider and holds solid claims, but would prefer the sun to come out and dry the course. Rating: ***
18. Beat The Boys 66/1 Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Brian Hughes
From the yard of the Gold Cup winner, he comes with a health warning as he has as many letters as numbers in his form figures. It appears that when he gets round, he wins. That will continue, but he won't be winning. Rating: *
19. Preists Leap 100/1 Trainer: Thomas O'Leary Jockey: Philip Enright
Irish raider who completed in the race last year but is badly out of form and easily overlooked. Rating: *
20. Snowy Morning 14/1 Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: David Casey
Has been a model of consistency and has twice run well in the race, finishing third behind Comply Or Die and ninth behind Mon Mome. Is still only 10 and looks sure to run a good race. Rating: ****
21. Can't Buy Time 16/1 Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill Jockey: Richie McLernon
Was well fancied 12 months ago, but fell when behind. Connections felt a hard race at Cheltenham previously had left its mark. He comes into this year's renewal a fresher horse and if the ground dries out, will have a live chance. Rating: ***
22. Big Fella Thanks 7/1 Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Took over ante-post favouritism from stablemate Tricky Trickster following that one's poor run in the Gold Cup. Big Fella Thanks finished sixth in the race 12 months ago, when just a seven-year-old, and comes into the race on the back of an excellent win at Newbury. He jumps well, stays and has the services of a two-time National-winning jockey. Ticks a lot of boxes, but this is reflected in his price. Rating: ****
23. State Of Play 16/1 Trainer: Evan Williams Jockey: Paul Moloney
Short of stature but big in heart, State Of Play is well fancied by connections. Ran a cracker to be fourth last year and has been trained with this race in mind all season. Has not run since November, but that is a positive as he has a history of running his best races when fresh. If he takes to the fences again, which is no guarantee, he looks sure to run well. Rating: ****
24. Character Building 16/1 Trainer: John Quinn Jockey: Nina Carberry
Was well fancied for the race 12 months ago following a win at Cheltenham, but an injury in the week of the National forced him to miss out. Has had a low-key preparation this time round, but has hit the headlines after being bought by the owners of Party Politics - the 1992 winner - and his striking grey coat will catch the eye. Could be the one that is well backed on the day. Rating: ****
25. Ellerslie George 66/1 Trainer: Nick Mitchell Jockey: Christian Williams
Has twice run over the National fences, but on both occasions has not looked in love with the challenge and is easily passed over. Rating: *
26. Eric's Charm 40/1 Trainer: Oliver Sherwood Jockey: Wayne Hutchinson
Has found a new lease of life this term, following up his victory at his beloved Sandown with a win at Newbury. His win in Berkshire proved he can go left handed and happiest when allowed his own way out in front, he could give a bold sight for a long way before fading late on. Rating: **
27. King Johns Castle 33/1 Trainer: Arthur Moore Jockey: Paul Carberry
Finished a gallant second behind Comply Or Die in 2008, but missed most of last season and has looked a shadow of his former self this term. Could be sparked into life by the Aintree fences, but it's a long shot. Rating: **
28. Conna Castle 100/1 Trainer: Jimmy Mangan Jockey: Sea Flanagan
Has been a grand servant to connections, but it is hard to see him being involved at the business end. Rating: *
29. Ballyfitz 66/1 Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: David England
Another from the red-hot Twiston-Davies camp, he can throw in the odd moody effort but if he takes to the fences and is on a going day, he could prove a huge price. Rating: **
30. Ollie Magern 150/1 Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Tom Molloy
Has run a host of good races over the years, but has lost of bit of his zip and it remains to be seen if he remembers the fall he took in the race last year. Easily passed over. Rating: *
31. Arbor Supreme 10/1 Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend
Another Irish raider and one with a live chance. Is laden with stamina and while his best form has been on soft ground, Mullins is convinced he will jump better on decent ground. Thrashed Black Apalachi a couple of seasons ago and if you fancy that one, you must this one too. Rating: ****
32. Maljimar 28/1 Trainer: Nick Williams Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Has run a series of good races in top handicap company and after performing well at Cheltenham's cross-country course towards the end of last year, these fences will hold no terrors. Could be a lively outsider. Rating: ***
33. The Package 12/1 Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Graham Lee
When he's good, he's very good as when winning at Cheltenham in December. Ran a cracker when beaten a rapidly-diminishing head at the Festival and is almost certainly better than his current mark, but he had a hard race behind Chief Dan George. Rating: ***
34. Piraya 100/1 Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Johnny Farrelly
Finally came good at Warwick in February after a series of near misses, but this looks a bridge too far. Rating: *
35. Irish Raptor 28/1 Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Paddy Brennan
Is a quirky sort, but has run well over the Aintree fences before and could well give a bold display of jumping for some way. But will he stay? Rating: ***
36. Cerium 50/1 Trainer: Paul Murphy Jockey:
Cerium, who has experience at Aintree after finishing fifth in the National last year, comes into the race as a late replacement for Mr Pointment.Rating: ***
37. Palypso de Creek 40/1 Trainer: Charlie Longsdon Jockey: Tom Siddall
French-bred who finished fourth in the Becher Chase, which is run over the National fences. It is the first appearance in the Aintree Marahton for jockey and trainer - could suffer for this inexperience.
Rating: *
38. Hello Bud 33/1 Trainer: Nigel-Twiston Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
Has run consistently this term but has looked in the grip of the handicapper. However, has dropped to below his latest winning mark and with conditions likely to be in his favour could run well. Rating: **
39. Flintoff 66/1 Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Andrew Tinkler
Was due to run in the Irish Grand National on Monday but was pulled out on the morning of the race when connections were informed he had sneaked in at the bottom of the weights at Aintree. Has bottomless stamina and would look well weighted on some of his form of a few years ago, but that was a few years ago and has run just once this term when pulled up in the Welsh National. Rating: **
40. Royal Rosa 40/1 Trainer: Howard Johnson Jockey:
Johnson substituted Royal Rosa for Abbeybraney at a late stage as he feels the 11-year-old has a better chance. Rating: **
Summary:
Big Fella Thanks could well hand trainer Paul Nicholls his first win in the race, but he is a short price and the one from the Nicholls camp to be on each-way at huge odds is My Will.
1. Big Fella Thanks
2. My Will (EW)
3. Snowy Morning
4. Comply Or Die
Odds, courtesy of Stan James, correct at time of publication. Click here to open an account and receive a £25 free bet
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