Most of us like to pick out a horse as our selection for the iconic £1 million race or draw one in the workplace sweep. And it's that time of the year again on Saturday when the latest edition of the National, first run way back in 1839, graces the Merseyside turf.
Sponsored by Randox, the tapes for the race, over the marathon 4m2f distance, will rise at 4 pm, and you can follow the action live on ITV and Racing TV. To help you find your fancy, I have compiled this easy-to-follow pinstickers' guide to all of the runners, in racecard order, complete with their best odds at the time of writing. Comments on each horse are based on the assumption that the going will be Soft.
Those horses include the last two winners of the race, Corach Rambler and Noble Yeats but, amazingly, no fewer than 16 of the contenders are trained in Ireland by either Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott. Only eight are trained in the UK.
It's exactly 40 years since I made my first trip to Aintree when Hallo Dandy landed the spoils, beating Greasepaint and Corbiere into second and third. Things have changed dramatically since those days, with the course's stands and facilities now among the best in the country and the track's famous 30 fences, such as Becher's Brook and The Chair, far less demanding and daunting in the interests of safety.
Animal welfare is now of paramount importance, and more new safety measures have been introduced for Saturday's race. The number of runners has been cut from 40 to 34 to reduce the risk of falls and accidents, while the start has been moved to prevent a headlong charge to the first fence that can result in the horses setting off too fast.
Hopefully, the measures will contribute to an entertaining, thrilling spectacle, from which all horses and riders return home safe and sound. Good luck!
MY 1-2-3-4-5 PREDICTION
1 MEETINGOFTHEWATERS
2 PANDA BOY
3 MR INCREDIBLE
4 MAHLER MISSION
5 CORACH RAMBLER
Best Outsider: CHAMBARD
Those horses include the last two winners of the race, Corach Rambler and Noble Yeats but, amazingly, no fewer than 16 of the contenders are trained in Ireland by either Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott. Only eight are trained in the UK.
![There was a time when Willie Mullins's now-9yo stayer was considered a live Cheltenham Gold Cup prospect, especially after winning at the Festival of 2022. However, he hasn't won a race since and flopped in the Gold Cup last year. He's remained out of sorts this term, although it is possible the marathon distance of the National will rekindle his best form under Willie's son, crack amateur Patrick Mullins.](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjIzNzZmOWNkLWM4ZjQtNDgyYy04OTM1LTk1OTg1ODU4OTliNTpjODc1MWJhMC1hMmFjLTQ1NzMtYWY1Yy1lY2M3YmJlNzgyOTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. Stattler (50/1)
There was a time when Willie Mullins's now-9yo stayer was considered a live Cheltenham Gold Cup prospect, especially after winning at the Festival of 2022. However, he hasn't won a race since and flopped in the Gold Cup last year. He's remained out of sorts this term, although it is possible the marathon distance of the National will rekindle his best form under Willie's son, crack amateur Patrick Mullins.Photo: Submitted
![But for a fall two out, this Irish raider may well have won at the Cheltenham Festival last season and beaten a Willie Mullins rival who went on to finish a fine third in the 2023 National. He was unlucky again when a clear second in the Coral Gold Cup (formerly the Hennessy) in November, despite pulling off both front shoes, and although it's a worry he hasn't run since, he's the right age (8yo) and still improving.](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmM0ZWExMDljLTUzNjYtNDBmZS1iN2I3LTJlZWZiMTQ3NzU0Zjo1N2Y4ZTJkNC1kYzhmLTQ1MDAtYmJlZC0xMWI4MzUyMTJjMjM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
10. Mahler Mission (16/1)
But for a fall two out, this Irish raider may well have won at the Cheltenham Festival last season and beaten a Willie Mullins rival who went on to finish a fine third in the 2023 National. He was unlucky again when a clear second in the Coral Gold Cup (formerly the Hennessy) in November, despite pulling off both front shoes, and although it's a worry he hasn't run since, he's the right age (8yo) and still improving.Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
![Gordon Elliott's admirable 11yo is long in the tooth now, but his career CV is hugely impressive. He was third in the 2022 National off a handicap mark 3lbs higher than now, and unluckily unseated his rider when going well in last year's race. He also boasts a terrific record at the Cheltenham Festival, tasting success three times, conquering National legend Tiger Roll in 2022, and even finishing fifth in the Gold Cup of 2020.](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVlMGM4Yjg0LWFiODYtNDcyMy04NTAyLTFlOWQyMmQ3NzE1OToxOTZlMjJiMy1hNmJiLTQxYzUtYTkxMC1kMGQ3ZTMxMzYzYzc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
11. Delta Work (20/1)
Gordon Elliott's admirable 11yo is long in the tooth now, but his career CV is hugely impressive. He was third in the 2022 National off a handicap mark 3lbs higher than now, and unluckily unseated his rider when going well in last year's race. He also boasts a terrific record at the Cheltenham Festival, tasting success three times, conquering National legend Tiger Roll in 2022, and even finishing fifth in the Gold Cup of 2020.Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
![Veteran Irish handler Mouse Morris is dreaming of another Grand National fairytale after victory in the Aintree showpiece with Rule The World eight years ago. This sturdy 10yo is one of the most experienced campaigners in the field, with 43 runs to his name, but when he tried these fences in the Topham Trophy two years ago, he took a heavy fall.](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQzOTg3OTNjLTY2ZTAtNDY1Ny1iYjExLWY0YzUyMDY4ZWVhYzo3MjY4NWEyNS1kNTljLTQ4MGEtODk2Yi1mYzU5ZjY0MmFmMTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
12. Foxy Jacks (66/1)
Veteran Irish handler Mouse Morris is dreaming of another Grand National fairytale after victory in the Aintree showpiece with Rule The World eight years ago. This sturdy 10yo is one of the most experienced campaigners in the field, with 43 runs to his name, but when he tried these fences in the Topham Trophy two years ago, he took a heavy fall.Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images