After the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National meeting quietly creeps on, and now we're less than a week away from the big race.
The big race on Saturday is run at Aintree at 4.00 pm and is run over the national style fences over 4m 2.5f. The prize money on offer to the winner is £500,000.
In recent years, the field size of the Grand National has been reduced from 40 runners to just 34. This is for safety reasons to minimise the number of casualties that the race has. The Jockey Club made the decision to do this as data analysis suggested a direct correlation between field size and safety incidents.
Despite the slightly smaller field size, this race will always be a minefield. It is one of, if not the toughest, races to call for the entire year.
This year, we have a returning champion, the 2024 champion, and last year's runner-up all having another crack at the prestigious race.
Due to the size of the race, I can't mention every horse, but the ones I deem to be the main ones will be here.
Nick Rockett 16/1
We have to start off with the winner of last year's renewal, Nick Rockett.
If the same version of Nick Rockett turns up for this race, then he will have a superb chance of winning it. Last year was special for Willie, as his son Patrick rode him to victory. He wasn't one of the fancied runners, but showcased a strong staying performance to hold off the 2025 winner, I Am Maximus.
This year, he will be carrying 11st 11lbs, and is 4lbs higher in the handicap, which should give him a very solid chance of doing the double.
He has been raced just once this year, which was at Down Royal in the middle of March, which would have given him a great prep for Aintree.
I Am Maximus 7/1
As I've just mentioned, I Am Maximus was the winner of this race two years ago. In the 2024 renewal, he was the joint-favourite and won by 7.5 lengths, defeating Delta Work.
Last year, he managed to finish second off an 8lb higher mark, and put in a very smart performance under Paul Townend when he was sent off 7/1 once again.
Like 12 months ago, he will have to shoulder top weight and will be primed for a big performance. At the moment, the jockey bookings of the Mullins horses are unknown, but it'll be interesting to see whether Paul jumps ship.
Haiti Couleurs 14/1
I've never felt that Haiti Couleurs is a Grade 1 horse, but I've definitely seen him as a horse who could carry big weights to victory in some tough handicaps. He is a previous Irish and Welsh National winner, who has to be respected.
My main concern with him is the prep he has had. He has had a tough season this year and has been pulled up twice, both at Grade 1 level. They tried their luck at the Gold Cup last time out, and he couldn't keep up with the classier horses. He will be much more at home in this type of race, but it's a tough ask on the back of a busy campaign.
If he were to win, would it surprise me? No, because he is a strong staying horse, who keeps rolling. Do I think he'll win? no.
Grangeclare West 10/1
I think this will be the pick of Paul Townend, but I've seen stranger things happen in racing.
He has had a great prep based on how he won last time out. He won the race that Nick Rockett won before going on to win this race last year, and he did it well.
We know he stays the trip and is tough as old boots. He is higher in the handicap this year, but if his chances are based on last time out, he has to be one of the horses to beat.
Final Orders 25/1
I know the National fences are different from the Cross Country fences, but I am a sucker for a horse who is proven over dodgy jumping obstacles. I think this lad was really impressive at Cheltenham in March, and made light work off his current handicap mark on his favoured ground.
When the ground was relatively quick (good to soft), there was a bit of money arriving for Final Orders, and he did the job for a yard who are very good at what they do.
I think if the weather stays fine and we don't get much rain at Merseyside, Final Orders could do the Cross Country, Grand National double, like Tiger Roll.
Based on his run last time out, I think he'll stay the trip, and I think he'll handle the fences perfectly fine. I thought the same about Stumptown last year, but he hated them, so hopefully we'll be fine this year.
At this moment in time, I make him the standout bet for the race, but keep an eye out on the ground. He won't want it worse than good to soft.
GambleAware