Live Grand National Racing Blog | Latest news, tips, chat and reaction for the Randox Grand National

Randox Grand National result

1. Noble Yeats 50/1

2. Any Second Now 15/2 favourite

3. Delta Work 10/1

4. Santini 33/1

5. Fiddlerontheroof 12/1

6. Longhouse Poet 12/1

7. Freewheelin Dylan 50/1

Randox Grand National report, result and free video replay

1736: Noble endeavour

Huge cheers ring out as Noble Yeats enters the winner's enclosure.

A word, too, for Emmet Mullins who has just won the Grand National with his first ever runner in the race.

We already knew he was a trainer going places and he's confirmed that emphatically.

More from the jockey: "He ran for me. He couldn't go the early pace and I was just trying to find pockets and a bit of space to run into.

"When I asked him he came but when I half asked him he wasn't confident, I was just trying to get him in a nice rhythm.

"As soon as I asked him (to go and win the race) he went.

"(I thought) I'd gone too early! As soon as he picked up I thought 'he's gone, he's got this'.

"It's ridiculous."

Waley-Cohen is the first amateur to win the Grand National since Marcus Armytage in 1990.

That was a truly remarkable and dramatic race. I hope all the participants have returned home safely and the racecourse has just confirmed that all the horses are back in the stables.

It's a race that will live long in the memory for many who witnessed it but it will never be forgotten by the Waley-Cohen family.

It's time to sit back and enjoy the replay!

Thank you for reading, good bye and good luck.

1730: Fairytale finish

Alice Plunkett is trying to grab a word: "I can't say anything it's a dream. I couldn't believe it. I've got to say thank you to Dad as it's my last ever ride.

"To my wife, long suffering, there are bad days in this sport, they aren't all good days.

"Just full of love, happiness and gratefulness.

"Honestly, you couldn't make it up could you?"

You couldn't make it up but some did predict it and hats off to Matt Brocklebank and his Value Bet column - I hope the champagne corks are popping.

A proud and tearful father (of the jockey, not Matt's but I'm sure he's proud too) apologises for not being able to speak but does manage to get out: "A dream come true."

He almost gathers himself but then loses it again, he's quite overcome.

1718: Racing for the Grand National

Down at the first is Enjoy d'Allen and possibly Mount Ida. There's a crashing fall at the ditch (third) with Eclair Surf departing and bringing down Anibale Fly.

They've all cleared Becher's.

Death Duty, Run Wild Fred and De Rasher Counter depart at the Canal Turn and there's a suggestion from the commentator that Minella Times is out too, that's confirmed. We've also lost Agusta Gold and School Boy Error has been pulled up.

Coko Beach leads Two For Gold and Longhouse Poet.

Discorama has been pulled up. A mistake by Good Boy Bobby at the thirteenth. Heading to The Chair where we lost Burrows Saint, Kildisart and Domaine de l'Isle. Snow Leopardess pulled up.

Lostintranslation is prominent as they are waved around the open ditch. Escaria Ten and Noble Yeats are in the first half dozen as Cloth Cap cries enough. Two For Gold takes Coko Beach wide at the Canal Turn.

Four to jump.

Freewheelin Dylan and Longhouse Poet join Coko Beach in front. Noble Yeats in fourth at the second last with Santini in fifth. Delta Work and Any Second Now and Noble Yeats, Any Second Now goes on.

Noble Yeats fights back for Sam Waley-Cohen and Value Bet.

A fairytale win for Waley-Cohen who announced his retirement earlier this week. You couldn't write it.

1709: Leaving the paddock

Snow Leopardess has left the paddock 'early' in an attempt to keep her calm but with only six minutes until the scheduled off time the reminder are still parading and still jockey less.

We could be going off a little late which is good news if you haven't made your mind up yet.

The bell has sounded and the jockeys will soon be on board. One thing that does seem certain is that Any Second Now will be sent off as favourite as support continues to come for last year's third.

They are heading out onto the racecourse.

There's a close up of Snow Leopardess as Coleman takes her up to the first fence for a good look at what lies ahead of her in a few minutes time.

She was joined there by Two For Gold but the majority of the field are still parading in front of the packed stands.

Run Wild Fred, beaten by Stattler at Cheltenham, is now just 8/1. This is a fairly remarkable move for the novice who could have been backed at 18/1 this morning.

Or maybe that's just because I can't see it!

1658: Race on the pace

"A prominent position is paramount in this race," says Hislop in agreeing with Neesom who sagely points out that it's hard to get back into the race if you start to get adrift in the early stages.

That was part of the thinking in considering Good Boy Bobby (who didn't lead last time) but ultimately I decided he was probably neither well enough handicapped or good enough.

He's one of three runners for the 'double green' ownership team of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and he has been nibbled at and can be backed at 25/1 which seems plenty short enough to me.

Santini is proving fairly popular among the outsiders and this talented horse has already had his fair share of loyal supporters but my gaze didn't linger too long on him after an early flirtation.

Again, I'd want considerably longer odds than the available 33/1.

If collateral form counts for anything with you then Eclair Surf has to be high on your list.

Eclair Surf, 14/1, won the Classic Chase at Warwick before finishing second in the Eider at Newcastle.

The winner was Win My Wings who fairly dotted up in the Scottish National on her next start in a style that suggested Eclair Surf had little chance in the north east.

The main question mark for me is whether he can reproduce that level of form on today's faster ground.

1651: Let it Snow, let it Snow

The nerves aren't yet too bad for Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Snow Leopardess, who says: "I've been okay so far.

"When she gets into her rocking horse state when the jockeys come out, I'll be a bit different.

"She can get her knickers in a twist. It's just normal for her, she gets excited. Get her out of there (the paddock) as quick as possible.

"He'll (Aidan Coleman) squeeze her all the way to the Melling Road and then sit and see where she is and try and find a bit of space somewhere."

Many thought that Snow Leopardess would be sent off as favourite but the grey mare is a double figure price with more firms than not.

Coleman is among the jockeys posing on the podium for the pre-race photo.

I'm sure they will be keen to get this part over with and be on the way to post aboard their mounts.

1640: Let's all have a Disco

I was heartened to learn that Ben Linfoot had put up Discorama in his ITV Tips but he may be less amused to know that I also liked Paul Nolan's runner.

He was seventh last year after an interrupted preparation, beaten 45 lengths, and some believe that his usual style of racing - being patiently ridden - isn't suited to the demands of this race.

However, seventh would be a return with Sky Bet and there's hope that being a year older and stronger will help him. He's also tried in headgear which may be no bad thing and he comes into the race on the back of a good run at Fairyhouse.

I'm hopeful but more obvious claims are held by Delta Work who won that terrific renewal of the Cross Country race at Cheltenham.

The one-time Gold Cup hope (he's only nine though) could be quite well handicapped on the best of his old form and may have been rejuvenated by the recent change of discipline.

He's taken a walk in the market to 14/1 which makes him more appealing to me.

Discorama is around 33/1 which is less than half the price of Top Ville Ben whose chance is as his price suggests but I quite liked the way he was running in the Becher Chase until falling.

Obviously the last part of that sentence is a negative but I can see him running well for a long way if negotiating the obstacles safely and I'm prepared to throw caution to the winds at those odds.

1626: National contender?

There's chat among the pundits that Sam Brown could return for next year's Grand National given he's a thorough stayer.

Whether that's realistic or whether it's because the Randox Health Grand National is up next I'm not so sure.

That was only the 13th race of Sam Brown's career so he hasn't got too many miles on the clock and it was a deserved success for a horse who burst onto the scene winning five of his first six starts (spread over three years).

Racing TV are hoping to have a quick word with Coleman but have settled for the trainer who wasn't expecting that result: "Not really.

"We know he's a nice horse and he had a fairly torrid time in his last race, just picking up the pieces really.

"Lovely safe ground but not really our ground really. I thought it was genuinely good to soft, we were always going to run but if it rains on the day it's going to be our ground.

"He just did it really well. He is a decent horse. He had an accident in a field (early on) and then broke his tail.

"Rachel, my wife, has built him up this season and he's strengthened and muscled up in places where he hasn't before."

1615: Eighteen to go....

They've cleared the first of 19 fences in the three mile one furlong handicap chase and Wishing And Hoping leads, as he does over the second.

Shan Blue is towards the rear of a well-grouped field, as is Tea Clipper who tracks Oscar Elite.

A bad mistake from Espoir De Romay and David Bass does well to keep his mount in the race. One more lap to go but not for Espoir De Romay who has been pulled up after another mistake.

It looks as though Oscar Elite will soon join him. Shan Blue is getting plenty of daylight on the outside. He's into second, alongside Killer Kane with four to go.

Wishing And Hoping running a huge race and leads by two and a half turning in. Here come the challengers......

Sam Brown takes over from Shan Blue. He's won by a margin that seemed scarcely believable turning in, he routed them to the delight of those who supported him at his SP of 28/1.

Shan Blue, Killer Kane and Tea Clipper follow him over the line.

That's a winner for Aidan Coleman (and trainer Anthony Honeyball) which will boost his confidence nicely ahead of his ride on Snow Leopardess in the Grand National.

1605: A for effort

Tom Stanley has conducted a fairly wide ranging interview with JP McManus and then gamely asks him which of his Grand National runners he fancies.

As Stanley asked, he admitted he had little hope of the interviewee answering the question and his pessimism proved to be well founded.

"I think it's very difficult for the horses at the top of the handicap to win," McManus replied.

"It's a big ask, I find it very difficult to see her (Blackmore) win. It's very difficult for those horses at the top but I hope I'm proved wrong.

"Enjoy d'Allen is down at the bottom and I wouldn't be surprised if the winner came from that end of the weights."

McManus also gave a positive mention to the old boy Anibale Fly who has been there and got the t-shirt. The handicapper has given him a chance and Anibale Fly can be backed at 80/1 if you think he can take it.

1554: You don't run run

There are four non-runners in the upcoming handicap chase which is rather a shame; they go without Empire Steel, Commodore, Mint Condition and Scene Not Herd.

I was sweet on the latter at Sandown and was duly disappointed but was interested in him here as I was in Mint Condition who landed a little extra place money for me at Cheltenham.

It's probably a good thing to be honest as I also had a good look at Empire Steel in an attempt to find one to take on those towards the top of the betting.

Killer Kane just about qualifies in that category and I do think he's interesting but I'm in no great rush to back him at 8/1 against Shan Blue.

Fortunately Ben Linfoot and Matt Brocklebank (Value Bet) are made of firmer stuff and both of our tipsters have selections in this race.

If you haven't read them already, you can do so via clicking on the links at the top of the page.

You can find all of the race reports and reaction on our news pages if you're wanting to reflect on the action. Alan King was asked to do that after the Maghull and wasn't too downbeat despite Edwardstone's defeat:

"All through the week I was getting afraid of the winner who was only 3lb behind us and had an easier prep.

“There are no regrets, because if you look at Dan’s horse (Third Time Lucki), we have run our race.

“I’m thrilled with him, and would think the Shloer might be the first target next season.”

1550: No enquiry

There was a general consensus that the stewards would take a look at the closing stages and an agreement that the result wouldn't be altered.

So far there's no news of an enquiry so the stewards clearly decided not to waste everyone's time on a busy day!

There could still be a report into the race I believe and that seems more than likely and a prudent approach.

1535: Post time

Flag is raised. Racing for this Grade One prize.

Flooring Porter has an unchallenged lead. Molly Ollys Wishes and Thyme Hill are his nearest pursuers.

They're almost racing two by two in behind the favourite but this certainly isn't the Arc.

They've jumped six hurdles and there's little change to the order and no dramas. There are six flights left.

Flooring Porter leads by four or five turning out of the back straight. At which point Thyme Hill goes backwards under a ride.

Champ is also struggling and showing less fight than Thyme Hill but Sire Du Berlais goes well.

He's on terms at the second last. Neither takes the last very well, terrific finish.

Sire Du Berlais wins!

The commentator thinks there might be a stewards calling him 'first past the post' but I'm not sure there was enough in the interference.

A remarkable horse and a remarkable training performance by Elliott. He was returned at 16/1 and brought up a double for jockey Mark Walsh.

About half a length covered the next three home (half a furlong behind) and it appears as though Champ grabbed that spot from Thomas Darby and Thyme Hill.

Stanley is with Elliott who says: "He's been a great horse. We knew he was in great form but I kind of thought that his best days, winning a Grade One, was behind him.

"It's great to train a Grade One winner for JP (McManus, owner).

"I thought we were going to finish second or third and I was delighted with that! He kept picking up........brilliant."

Neesom timed that race at four seconds slower than the earlier handicap over the same distance.

1531: Over the Hill?

Hislop relays that the Racing TV paddock team would have Thyme Hill as a negative (if there were one).

"On his toes, two handlers and tail at a funny angle," supplies Neesom.

They point to his good record when fresh and that Philip Hobbs is on record as saying that Thyme Hill is a hard horse to keep condition on.

None of that bodes well for his chance of retaining the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle.

Neesom has 'long believed that Champ is at his best on flat tracks' and is hopeful that Champ will accordingly be seen in a better light than at Cheltenham and he didn't run too badly there.

1525: Any Second Now....

Well, there's still a couple of hours to go but Any Second Now is currently the outright favourite for the Grand National.

Ted Walsh's runner is the 9/1 market leader with Minella Times now as big as 12/1, the same price as Longhouse Poet who landed a touch when winning the Thyestes.

There's a difference of opinion regarding Snow Leopardess who is priced between 8/1 and 12s.

Delta Work, Run Wild Fred and Fiddlerontheroof are all around 12/1 too in a congested top of the market.

There appears to be some money around for Good Boy Bobby who I looked at long and hard before deciding that I didn't really fancy him after all. I shall not be swayed.

An update from Sky Bet's Michael Shinners who says: "“Any Second Now has been well supported in the last hour.

"He is currently challenging Minella Times for favouritism and it will be interesting to see with only a couple of hours before the big race which horse goes off favourite.”

1520: Cheltenham conundrum

Did Edwardstone's run at the Cheltenham Festival take the edge off him today?

It's an imponderable question and might be weighing on the mind of those weighing up the runners in the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle.

Flooring Porter and Thyme Hill, winner of this race last year, finished first and second in the Stayers Hurdle in which Champ was fourth.

It's over 20/1 bar those three runners and long odds-on that one of them wins but a good deal could depend on which of the trio has come out of last month's race in the best form.

Flooring Porter has his quirks but he didn't seem remotely bothered by anything at Cheltenham, including the opposition and I'm loathe to take him on (as I did that day).

Thyme Hill is a gallant and likeable sort but I can't see why he should gain revenge. Perhaps it's time for a decent straight forecast? Although that ploy has failed for me at this meeting before. Yes, I'm looking at you Rooster Booster.

Once bitten twice shy and all that.

1507: Gentleman comes first

Winning rider Mark Walsh conducts a short interview from the saddle: "I let him make the running and it suits him because he wings fences.

"It's brilliant."

Willie Mullins has spoken to Racing TV: "He likes going forwards in his races.

"He loves being let do to do what he wants to do. He settled today in front I think. Mark gave him a fantastic ride.

"We'll find out tomorrow what the pace (of the race) was like."

1458: King for a day

"He does look fabulous, yeah. I think he's taken the build-up better than the trainer!", Alan King tells Tom Stanley.

"He's given no indication that he's done for the year. Everything has gone very smoothly and quietly.

"I'm happy anyway."

The goggles are coming down.

Gentleman De Mee leads Amarillo Sky over the first with For Pleasure surprisingly held-up in rear. That change of approach may have taken a few people by surprise but he has inched into third. He's alongside Edwardstone who is closely attended by Third Time Lucki.

Edwardstone is wide on the track as they race down the back straight. He's shaken up to challenge Gentleman De Mee who was awkward at the second last. Gentleman De Mee finds more and runs on strongly to take the spoils.

"A dominant performance from start to finish," says Lydia Hislop of the 7/2 winner.

1448: Stone turned over?

Sporting Life Arkle winner Edwardstone is odds-on for the Poundland Maghull Novices' Chase and it's hard to argue with the market.

He was very good at Cheltenham as he has been all season, including when beating Third Time Lucki at Warwick.

Connections of the latter offered no excuses for that defeat so it's hard to see why he should reverse the form unless last month's run has taken the edge of Edwardstone.

He does face a new Willie Mullins challenger in Gentleman De Mee and perhaps there's more to come from Gentleman De Mee.

He was well enough beaten in races won by Ferny Hollow and Haut En Couleurs (beaten 16 lengths in the Arkle) before winning twice at long odds-on. He may be improving but the collateral form is more than enough to put me off chancing him at 4/1.

I'd be more inclined to play Third Time Lucki each-way if I felt compelled to have an interest with a quarter the odds and six runners.

Not for the first time, the Punting Pointers team have a far more interesting approach to this race and they've found a way to side with For Pleasure.

1442: Pounds for Dollar

Dingo Dollar is the latest of the bigger priced horses to see interest from punters at Sky Bet with the seven places on offer.

He is now currently a 28/1 chance, in a market which has a very wide open look to it. Minella Times continues to be their worst result.

You can catch up on the market movers with Betfair, Paddy Power and Sky Bet through the day by clicking here.

1440: Sad news

According to some of the folk on Twitter, Elle Est Belle suffered a heart attack which is desperate news for her and her connections as well as those that looked after her at the yard.

She was in the process of running a big race but collapsed before the line I'm reading; she went out on her shield.

1433: Life is good

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott says of the 5/2 favourite:

"I thought he might be doing a bit much! But he jumped brilliant and he was bought to be a chaser.

"It's a Grade One and we're happy"

Davy Russell was riding his first winner since before the Cheltenham Festival and was suitably pleased when he spoke to ITV Racing.

"The lads have done such a marvellous job with him. We've always liked this horse a lot so it's great that he's delivered on the top days.

"Kenny Haughey who is a huge supporter of our yard and he's been very patient with this horse. I'm happy to deliver for Kenny."

I think I heard that something may have gone amiss with Elle Est Belle and it didn't sound good. Hopefully I'm wrong but I'll try and clarify that for you as soon as I can.

1423: Air shot

Nicky Henderson on Racing TV on Walking On Air: "He's going to be lovely but it's only his second start over hurdles, he's a horse for the future.

"He deserves to (step up to this company), he won well at Newbury."

They're walking in.

Stage Star has the lead in the early exchanges; visuals are hard to trust but the pace looks steady at best.

Walking On Air and Good Risk At All are close up in the straight but the field are covered by only seven or eight lengths.

Walking On Air makes a second fairly serious mistake, he'll do well to win now although he's still prominent. Three Stripe Life tracks the front two. Walking On Air has run his race. Turning for home.

Three Stripe Life travels strongly but then comes under a ride. He leads Might I and Elle Est Belle at the last and pulls nicely clear.

Might I is second, North Lodge third and Nells Son fourth.

Elle Est Belle was a closeish third at the last but weakened tamely.

1415: Three in the Mersey

I think this is a fascinating renewal of the Mersey Novices' Hurdle.

There may not be a star in the race unless Walking On Air turns out to be something very special and the market is certainly alive to that possibility as he's challenging Three Stripe Life for favouritism.

Three Stripe Life has been relatively easy to back which doesn't surprise me despite a recent run in the Ballymore behind Sir Gerhard. I'm not convinced it was that deep a renewal of the Cheltenham race with Stage Star hugely disappointing and I'm quite happy to find one each-way against the front two.

There's support for North Lodge who went down fighting against Nells Son at Kelso last time and for Good Risk At All (selected by Punting Pointers) who absolutely dotted up in an Ascot handicap when last seen but he does have to cope with far quicker ground.

The one that I like is Elle Est Belle who has always been targeted at this meeting despite being prominent in the ante-post markets for the mares' novice at Cheltenham.

She was third behind Sir Gerhard in the Cheltenham bumper last season and has taken well to hurdles. The form of her latest win was boosted this week when the Huntingdon second, Gentleman At Arms, finished runner-up in the Grade One Sefton Novices' Hurdle over three miles.

Dave Nevison tells Racing TV viewers that Delta Work is very weak on the exchanges in the Grand National where Any Second Now shades favouritism from Minella Times.

1400: The Party has started

But only just as Ian Williams tells Tom Stanley: "To be fair I never thought it was going to happen, he didn't pick up the bridle early and was obliged to go very wide on the final bend.

"I told Charlie (Todd) not to hit the front until the last and we took it up three out!

"I think that's possibly Charlie's last ride before losing his claim, he may have one more."

Todd is now in front of the cameras and comments: "It was great. They went a really strong gallop and he wasn't really travelling.

"He went from almost being last to in front in the home straight but that's the way he is.

"I probably felt the same as him (Williams, who wasn't confident watching).

"It's my first graded winner and I'm delighted. It's meant a lot to me. My whole family is here today. I've got to repay the boss for what he's done for me, he's like a father figure to me."

Todd clarifies that he has another winner to go before losing his claim.

1345: They're off....

Well, almost. The starter wasn't happy and didn't let them go. Off at the second time of asking.

Dans Le Vent falls at the first and the medics have rushed over to attend to Isobel Williams. She's up on her feet and 'looks absolutely fine'.

The field are quite well strung out from Master Debonair and Bushypark to Party Business and Flash The Steel in rear.

There's a circuit to race and the field have closed up a little.

Remastered has moved into second with Serious Charges tracking the leaders. Into the straight. Party Business has hit the front from Ilikedwayurthinkin and that's the way they finish.

Mill Green was third, Beauport fourth and Coeur Serein fifth. They were some way behind the first two who had a terrific duel up the straight.

The first two finished fifth and sixth in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.

For those of you who have read the morning blog posts will have seen that Mark Howard flagged up Party Business as a Cheltenham eyecatcher and I hope a few of you took heed as he returned at a perfectly respectable SP of 11/2.

1338: It's Serious business

Warren Greatrex runs Emitom in the opening EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle and tells Racing TV: "He seems in good form, over the last few years he's had his ailments.

"If you go back through his form he wouldn't be without a chance. We've just tried to change things up, freshen him up and we've medicated his hocks.

"He seems in good form and if he can find some of his old form he wouldn't be without a shout."

Emitom is a general 33/1 with the horses in the paddock.

There's a new favourite with Serious Charges replacing Winter Fog at the top of the market.

Serious Charges is looking to complete a four-timer and is clearly very progressive but he will need to be in order to defy a 13lb higher mark.

I think Winter Fog looks absolutely rock solid and he ran a perfectly good race in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham.

I'm fairly sure Remastered featured prominently in the ante-post lists for that race and he's quite popular today too. The useful staying chaser has had a wind operation since his last outing and races from a much lower mark over hurdles.

A long short-list, headed by Winter Fog, had to be whittled down and an outsider I'm interested in is Coeur Serein.

He progressed well last season when stepped up in trip but has reverted to hurdling after flirting with fences in the first part of the season. Coeur Serein finished eighth in the Pertemps so he has something to find with a few of these but he wasn't beaten all that far and I think this race will suit.

There are extra places on offer and I can see him filling one of them at 33/1.

Pounding Poet is a springer in the market and has been cut to 12s from 16/1.

1326: First come, first home?

There's a new triumvirate on Racing TV with Lydia Hislop joined by Martin Dixon and Jonathan Neesom.

The latter has a good record of finding the winner of the race we're told and is asked what he looks for.

"I want horses that have never run in the race and preferably never run over the course," he responds.

Dixon isn't on the same page as Any Second Now is the runner that he kept coming back to; he acknowledges Neesom's point but feels that Any Second Now was unlucky last year and can go two places better with better fortune.

Towards the end of that section, Neesom was asked for his best bet of the day and nominated Might I who runs in the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle at 1425.

Might I was made favourite to beat Constitution Hill on his second run over hurdles and it has transpired that trying to concede 6lbs to Nicky Henderson's runner was no easy thing.

He's been third behind Jonbon since then which is perfectly respectable form and he's expected to appreciate today's step up in trip.

1306: Time to fly

You might wonder how jockeys prepare for the Grand National given the race is so late in the day, especially if they don't have many other rides on the card.

I don't imagine that there will be many who have started their day in the same way as Sean Flanagan.

Michael Shinners is at Aintree and reports back that Flanagan, who rides School Boy Hours, 'has a pilot's license and flew into Liverpool this morning'.

If Flanagan has any cause to celebrate today, plans will have to be momentarily on hold as Shinners added: "Win, lose or draw he’s got a slot to fly back home at 7pm.”

Not that I've ever flown but I imagine that would help you take your mind off the day job or reflecting on anything that you might have done differently in the big race.

1251: Tizz the season to be jolly

Cloth Cap was only sixth in his attempt to retain his crown at Newbury although Hemmings' colours were still carried to victory by the enigmatic Cloudy Glen.

The first two were over 27 lengths clear of third home Brahma Bull and while the winner doesn't line up this afternoon, the second home Fiddlerontheroof does.

He's one of two runners for the Tizzards and is joined by Lostintranslation who has had his problems since finishing third in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Lostintranslation should appreciate the drying ground, as he did when making a winning reappearance at Ascot in November and he's certainly good enough to put himself in contention for all that it's been a little while since he's shown his best form.

The more obvious chance is held by his stablemate and that's reflected in their odds of 16/1 and 66/1.

Fiddlerontheroof was only beaten half a length at Newbury and has had just the one run since, again finishing second behind Fortescue (28/1) at Ascot. That was by no means a bad effort and he's shaped as though he could relish this longer trip and he's one of the more interesting players.

1230: School Boy error

Three horses were taken out before yesterday's deadline for reserves allowing School Boy Hours, Romain de Senam and Commodore to take their places in the Grand National field.

Arguably the most interesting of the trio is School Boy Hours - one of the withdrawals was owner-mate Easysland - who was sent off as a 5/1 joint-favourite for the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month.

He was pulled up at Prestbury Park but that doesn't tell the whole story as the JP McManus owned nine-year-old was just creeping into the race when stumbling after making a bad mistake. Obviously, he'll need to avoid a repeat but he is better than that and had previously won the ultra-competitive Paddy Power Chase over Christmas under today's rider Sean Flanagan.

McManus already has something to celebrate having today been inducted into the Aintree Hall of Fame as an Aintree Legend.

A plaque bearing McManus’s name now hangs on the Hall of Fame wall in McCoy’s Bar - named after the legendary Sir Anthony, the rider best known for wearing McManus’s unmistakable green-and-gold silks.

The first running of the world’s great steeplechase that McManus can remember was in 1960.

McManus recalled: "The day that Don’t Push It won was very, very special. We’ve had a few disappointments, but you just celebrate the wins and forget about everything else.

“I love it, I look forward to it very much. And I hope that my grandkids who are here this year - all of them except my namesake, JP - I hope they want to come every year. It’s lovely to have them here.”

School Boy Hours is one of five runners for McManus and I know he has at least one supporter as a friend was extolling his chance to me last night.

For the record, he was also keen on Cloth Cap, trained, like Easysland, by Jonjo O'Neill.

Cloth Cap runs in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings who was a great supporter of this race. A good winner of a big handicap at Newbury early last season, he was sent off as the 11/2 favourite last year and went well for a long way only to weaken quite quickly from five out.

He was found to have an issue with his wind after last year's Grand National and was operated on the following week. Beneficial effects of that aren't immediately obvious on this season's form but his trainer is 'really positive about him' and he's definitely one of the more interesting runners of those at around the 28/1 mark.

1204: Virtual winner

The Virtual Grand National has become an increasingly popular part of the pre-amble in the last couple of years and was aired on ITV4 last night.

If you didn't watch it live or on catch-up, the race went to Snow Leopardess.

Isn't that every punter's dream? To know the winner before the race is run.

Virtual Grand National correctly predicted that Tiger Roll would win the Grand National in 2018, going one better than Cause Of Causes the previous year when the computer programme provided six of the first 10 home.

Last year's result saw three of the first four finish in the first seven so again they weren't too far off the money.

Snow Leopardess is 11/1 and shorter at present with Any Second Now and Delta Work available at similar odds.

An outsider often hits the frame and the Virtual Grand National had Mount Ida finishing sixth and she is a general 66/1 after disappointing at the Cheltenham Festival.

Last season's astonishing Kim Muir winner had been much shorter in the ante-post markets and was selected ante-post by Value Bet at 40/1 in January,

1145: Imperfect Ten

Michael Shinners from the Sky Bet parish recently provided an update on Racing TV and reported that Escaria Ten was surprisingly easy to back.

Escaria Ten is a 20/1 chance having been as short as 10/1.

Like many of the field, this race has been his principal target all season and he comes into his big race in good form having narrowly beaten last year's third, and 10/1 shot, Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase (Burrows Saint a well held third) last time.

He is one of seven runners in the race for Gordon Elliott.

Graham Cunningham is with Dan Barber and Stewart Machin on Racing TV, huddling under umbrellas that were hurriedly handed out

"It's coming in sideways and it's not even rain, it's hail borderline snow." says Cunningham.

Cunningham is making a case for Longhouse Poet which Sporting Life readers will already be familiar with having read this week's column.

GC provided his top five with plenty of bookmakers offering more than the standard four places with Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook paying down to sixth and Sky Bet to seventh.

1120: It's time to Party

Turning attention away from the Grand National for a brief moment, it's worth having a recap of Mark Howard's Cheltenham Festival eyecatchers as two of the five horses he nominated are running at Aintree this afternoon.

Party Business runs in the opening EFT Construction Handicap Hurdle at 1345 and is proving pretty popular with the layers and is one of four horses contesting favouritism although Winter Fog currently looks like being sent off as the jolly.

Howard concluded his case by writing: "It was only his fifth run over hurdles having won at Ascot in December and his style of racing suggests he will stay further. Drying ground in the spring would be in his favour and the Shantou gelding has more to offer."

Party Business steps up in trip to three miles and the ground has come right too.

The other runner to line up is Tea Clipper who runs in the Betway Handicap Chase at 1615.

His trainer Tom Lacey has been having a fine old time of things this spring, sending out 9 winners from 31 runners in March and he is three from 13 to date in April.

Howard's summary of Tea Clipper's chance was this: "Lacey won the Grade 3 Betway Handicap Chase (9th April) over three miles one in 2018 with Thomas Patrick and the ill-fated Johnbb was runner-up behind Happygolucky last year.

"It could be an ideal target for Tea Clipper, who had wind surgery prior to the Festival, and enjoys drying conditions."

Tea Clipper has been supported and is a clear second favourite behind Shan Blue.

1104: What's in a story?

Blackmore has been the story for many of the big meetings over the last year or two and that will continue to be the case.

She could join an elite list of just five jockeys in winning the race for a second time and become the latest addition to an even shorter entry of jockeys to win the Grand National in consecutive seasons.

Brian Fletcher rode Red Rum to victory in 1973 and 1974 (having already won aboard Red Alligator in 1968) and more recently Leighton Aspell struck in 2014 and 2015 aboard Pineau De Re and Many Clouds.

Blackmore's rise to the top of the game is far from the only notable potential story to the Grand National and few tales have caught the public's imagination more than that of Snow Leopardess. It's no bad thing that she's a grey of course and the Becher Chase heroine would be an undeniably popular winner.

Sam Waley-Cohen has announced that he will retire after today's race and he'll be hoping that Noble Yeats can spring a massive surprise in becoming the first seven-year-old to win the Grand National for a long, long time.

Noble Yeats is a 66/1 chance but isn't unfancied as he is the headline selection for today's Value Bet column and you can read the case that Matt Brocklebank makes for him by clicking on the image above.

Those are three of the more prominent background 'stories' heading into the Grand National but there are no shortage of potential angles and more often than not there will be others that only surface in the aftermath.

1040: Times for Grand National repeat?

Good morning and welcome to the raceday blog for the Randox Health Grand National.

There are a few non-runners on the card at Aintree, including Cheltenham Festival winner Third Wind, but none in the feature race at the moment.

The going is Good to Soft on the National course and Good to Soft, Good (in places) on the Mildmay track.

It's been a chilly spring day across much of the country, including in Liverpool where there was the odd flake of snow but as you can see below, the weather should be pretty perfect for the competitors and those in attendance.

If you caught The Opening Show on ITV4 this morning, you'll have heard Matt Chapman telling viewers that all the morning money has been for last year's winner Minella Times.

There's plenty of time for a few more movers and shakers of course but confidence is reportedly high among the staff at Henry de Bromhead's yard that Minella Times is back to his best at home and that confidence has been reflected in the market which currently has Minella Times as the general 9/1 favourite.

There is, of course, the small matter of the Rachael Blackmore factor and I imagine a fair few people will be backing the top-weight on account of the jockey.

Chapman is currently providing an update on the betting and says there's been money for Delta Work, Any Second Now and Snow Leopardess as well; he believes any of the top four could be sent off as favourite.

He also mentions support for Run Wild Fred, Fiddlerontheroof and Two For Gold before adding that Burrows Saint is 'shorter than you'd have imagined a few days ago'; several others have been nibbled at.

His 1,2,3,4 is: Any Second Now, Escaria Ten, Longhouse Poet, Burrows Saint.

You can find out where the money is going with Betfair and Sky Bet by clicking on this link.

Friday April 8

1430: WATCH: Grand National Best Bets Video

The live blog will be ramped up on Saturday morning when Ian Ogg takes the reins but for now watch our Grand National Best Bets show below, as Dave Ord, Phil Turner, Matt Brocklebank and Ben Linfoot discuss the big race.

1415: A late raft of non-runners on Friday lunchtime saw three reserves sneak into the final field for Saturday’s Randox Grand National at Aintree.

Commodore, School Boy Hours and Romain De Senam moved into the 40-strong line up as Phoenix Way, Easysland and Lord Du Mesnil stepped aside.

Trained by Venetia Williams, who won the Aintree spectacular with 100/1 shot Mon Mome back in 2009, Commodore was poised to take advantage of any late absentees as first reserve for the big race.

Not seen since winning at Cheltenham back in December, 10-year-old will now get his chance in the extended four-and-a-quarter-mile contest as the Harry Fry-trained Phoenix Way was ruled out due to a temperature.

Commodore, who will be partnered by Charlie Deutsch, will race as number 33, directly filling the slot left by Phoenix Way.

The Noel Meade-trained and Sean Flanagan-ridden School Boy Hours won the Paddy Power Chase on his penultimate start and he will be number three, the number vacated by Easysland, who is the victim of an unsatisfactory scope.

Romain De Senam was due to run in Friday’s Topham Chase over the National fences but with Lord Du Mesnil taken out on account of the ground, he will now race in the main event as number 17 for trainer David Pipe – winner of the race in 2008 with Comply Or Die.

CLICK HERE FOR GRAND NATIONAL RACECARD

Thursday, April 7

1110: We now have reaction from Henry Daly following the news Fortescue got in, as well as news on the withdrawn horses:

Part-owner of Caribean Boy Simon Munir posted on Twitter: “Unfortunately, sorry to report that Caribean Boy has pulled a hamstring and will be a non-runner in Saturday’s Grand National.”

Farclas was due to be part of Gordon Elliott’s strong squad, but was also not declared, meaning Fortescue creeps in at the bottom of the field for Henry Daly.

The eight-year-old Farclas, who finished fifth last year, is waiting for Fairyhouse.

Eddie O’Leary, racing manager for Gigginstown House Stud, said: “He’s very well, he’s in really good form but we’re just wanting to go for the Irish National with him.

“The Irish National is a race very close to our hearts so that’s where he’ll go instead of Aintree. He’s perfectly well within himself, we’re just going to save him for Fairyhouse.”

After gambling on getting a run by missing last week’s Scottish National with Fortescue, a delighted Daly said: “I think in modern-day terminology in text or whatever, I think it goes TFFT – but I’m not totally sure what that means!

“I think it means Thank Goodness For That, or some such. According to the handicapper he is 4lb well in, but we will see how right he is.

“He has been in good form all season. His run at Ascot was great. He jumps, gallops and stays, and I don’t quite know what else you want for Aintree because I’ve never won it, but we will find out on Saturday, won’t we?”

1020: Hello and welcome to our coverage of the 2022 Randox Grand National at Aintree and what better place to start than revealing the final field for the big race.

Last year's winner Minella Times heads the final 40 and the late withdrawals of Caribean Boy and Farclas means that Emma Lavelle's Eclair Surf and Henry Daly's Fortescue sneak in as the final confirmed runners.

1 Minella Times
2 Delta Work
3 Easysland
4 Any Second Now
5 Run Wild Fred
6 Lostintranslation
7 Brahma Bull
8 Burrows Saint
9 Mount Ida
10 Longhouse Poet
11 Fiddlerontheroof
12 Two For Gold
13 Santini
14 Samcro
15 Escaria Ten
16 Good Boy Bobby
17 Lord Du Mesnil
18 Coko Beach
19 De Rasher Counter
20 Kildisart
21 Discorama
22 Top Ville Ben
23 Enjoy D'Allen
24 Anibale Fly
25 Dingo Dollar
26 Freewheelin Dylan
27 Class Conti
28 Noble Yeats
29 Mighty Thunder
30 Cloth Cap
31 Snow Leopardess
32 Agusta Gold
33 Phoenix Way
34 Deise Aba
35 Blaklion
36 Poker Party
37 Death Duty
38 Domaine De L'Isle
39 Eclair Surf
40 Fortescue

Reserves

41 Commodore
42 School Boy Hours
43 Romain De Senam
44 Roi Mage

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