Grand National Sweepstake
40 Horses, 4m 31/2 f, 30 fences and AP McCoy’s last ride in the race. Bill Esdaile casts his expert eye over the Grand National runners.
Lord Windermere
40/1
Former Gold Cup winner but isn’t in form and has a massive weight
Many Clouds
33/1
Had a very hard race in the Gold Cup and needs the heavens to open
Unioniste
22/1
Carries the colours of former winner Neptune Collonges but wants rain
Rocky Creek
9/1
Ran well last year, won his prep and trainer very sweet on his chances
First Lieutenant
28/1
Nina Carberry could easily become first female jockey to ride the winner
Balthazar King
10/1
Last year’s runner-up will love the ground and very dangerous to rule out
Shutthefrontdoor
15/2
There won’t be a dry eye in the house if AP McCoy can go out on a winner
Pineau De Re
25/1
Not since Red Rum has a horse returned to Aintree and defended his crown
Ballcasey
40/1
Hard to fancy on form but is trained by Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh rides
Spring Heeled
20/1
Former Cheltenham Festival winner who will stay but trainer form a worry
Rebel Rebellion
33/1
Lively Nicholls-trained outsider who ran well over these fences in December
Dolatulo
50/1
Ran over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival but so did last year’s winner
Mon Parrain
40/1
Ridden by 17-year-old sensation Sean Bowen but has his work cut out
Carlito Brigante
50/1
Former classy hurdler but gut feeling his best days are behind him now
Night In Milan
28/1
Been in good form recently without winning and an interesting outsider
Rubi Light
66/1
Rediscovered art of winning recently but not at this trip or at this level
The Druids Nephew
12/1
Leading contender on recent Cheltenham win but patchyjumping a worry
Cause Of Causes
16/1
Won the four miler at the Festival and one of the more interesting runners
Godsmejudge
20/1
Second in last season’s Scottish National off the same mark and can go well
Al Co
25/1
Shrewd handler kept him over hurdles since last year’s Scottish National win
Monbeg Dude
40/1
Gritty stayer who finished seventh last year and has less weight to carry now
Corrin Wood
66/1
Silly to discount any horse the McCains send to Aintree but badly out of form
The Rainbow Hunter
66/1
Only got as far as the ninth fence in this race last year and back for another go
Saint Are
33/1
Twice a winner at this meeting in the past and has run well over these fences
Across The Bay
40/1
Finished 14th in both the last two renewals and hard to fancy on those efforts
Tranquil Sea
80/1
Hitting the frame would be a shock for this teenager who is on the downgrade
Oscar Time
50/1
Loves these fences but surely too long in the tooth at the grand old age of 14
Bob Ford
80/1
Trainer and jockey always interesting when they link up but needs rain badly
Super Duty
66/1
Seems to have lost his way over last couple of seasons and really hard to fancy
Wyck Hill
40/1
Would be of interest if ground turns soft and trip less of a worry than jumping
Gas Line Boy
100/1
Another desperate for proper rain but that looks unlikely and not good enough
Chance Du Roy
40/1
Respected as has won over these fences before and ran cracker in sixth last year
Portrait King
80/1
Former Eider Chase winner so trip shouldn’t be a problem but lacks a gear change
Owega Star
80/1
Irish raider who hasn’t shown anything to suggest he’s up to winning a race like this
River Choice
100/1
Soft-ground loving French raider with form figures that resemble a number plate
Court By Surprise
40/1
Not raced this calendar year and never been over these fences but been in form
Alvarado
16/1
Came from miles back to finish fourth last year and looks sure to go close again
Soll
22/1
Ran well in this two years ago and has nice racing weight for one in good form
Ely Brown
100/1
Has won twice at Aintree before but pulled-up on comeback run after absence
Royale Knight
33/1
From last year’s winning stable and ultra-consistent, so definite each-way claims