It's the most-watched race of the year on Saturday afternoon and a huge welcome return for the Grand National at Aintree after missing out in 2020 due to the pandemic.

No Tiger Roll this time around but 40 horses are all hoping to write their own chapter in Grand National folklore. 

Grand National Betting Odds

No doubting which horse will go off favourite at Aintree as Cloth Cap trades as low as 4/1 to emulate Tiger Roll in 2019 by justifying a short price in the race.

Jonjo O'Neill's charge won the Ladbrokes Trophy in November and, after the Grand National weights were confirmed, took the Premier Chase at Kelso last month in fine style. He'll relish the prospect of decent spring ground here but will he be able to dominate this race? Tom Scudamore rides and - on official ratings following his Kelso win - Cloth Cap is a stone 'well-in'. Owner Trevor Hemmings is hoping for a record-breaking fourth Grand National victory with his colours.

Burrows Saint won the Irish National in 2019 and heads up the Irish challenge here for Willie Mullins, with his son Patrick set to ride after Paul Townend was ruled out due to injury. 

Rachael Blackmore - the Queen of Cheltenham - has 10/1 chance Minella Times in her bid to become the first female rider to win this race as she once more teams up with Henry De Bromhead.

Kimberlite Candy and Any Second Now are further pieces in a seven-strong JP McManus-owned jigsaw and both are strong in the betting. Gigginstown House Stud declined to run Tiger Roll but will hope Farclas can take his mantle, while Welsh National winner Secret Reprieve is only a reserve and now an unlikely runner following final declarations on Thursday.

 

Grand National Runners

Lake View Lad to win and each-way - BET NOW

The likes of Vieux Lion Rouge, Definitly Red and Lake View Lad have all faced these fences before. 

The last-named represents Scotland and was no match for Cloth Cap last time out, but he does have the course form to call upon having won the Many Clouds Chase over regulation fences here this season. He was rather impeded in the 2019 edition and - whilst Cloth Cap in the same colours is much more fancied - he's a good second string to the Hemmings bow.

Anibale Fly to win and each-way - BET NOW

Milan Native didn't fire at Cheltenham last month and must bounce back for Denise Foster, while Anibale Fly has twice run well in this race for Tony Martin and returns for a third crack of what appears a good racing weight of 10st 12lb, if he can find his mojo back here.

Top-weight meanwhile is for Bristol De Mai, the multiple Grade 1-winning grey for Nigel Twiston-Davies, no stranger to success in this race. He brings a touch of class but the burden of weight will be tough on him. Potters Corner runs for Wales and has long had a go at this race in his sights, so Christian Williams' charge is another to be noted.

Grand National Prediction

Talkischeap to win and each-way - BET NOW

Getting to the racecourse hasn't proved all that easy for Talkischeap in recent times. He romped to victory in the bet365 Gold Cup over 3m5f in April 2019 but has only raced five times since. A couple of those runs were on the all-weather in January/February this year after a spell on the sidelines.

He shaped quite well in both cases and was being asked a tough question afterward in a Grade 3 over three miles at Kempton, where he was well beaten off. 

Tom Cannon's mount will have 10st 12lb on his back from a mark of 155 in this contest and, given his demonstrated ability over a marathon distance, he could certainly outrun odds of 66/1.

Grand National Betting Tips

1. Lake View Lad to win and each-way - BET NOW

2. Anibale Fly to win and each-way - BET NOW

3. Talkischeap to win and each-way - BET NOW

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