Higher or lower? The changes in key Grand National contenders weights since 2020

The Randox Grand National weights were revealed on Tuesday, with Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai, French cross-country star Easysland and Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Santini allocated the top weight of 11st 10lb and a mark of 167.

With the racing being cancelled in 2020, James Stevens compares the challenge some of this season's leading contenders have compared to what would have been their weight 12 months ago.

Weight: 11st 10lb, mark 167 (11st 8lb, 168 in 2020)

Nigel Twiston-Davies' runner is poised to carry topweight of 11st 10lb compared to 11st 8lb for the cancelled 2020 race, although the handicapper has actually reduced his mark by a 1lb to 167.

Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's grey was victorious at his beloved Haydock once again in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase, beating Clan Des Obeaux by two lengths, before finishing a good second in the rearranged Cotswold Chase earlier this month.

Watch Bristol De Mai win the Betfair Chase

Bristol De Mai is classed as the best in the race along with Santini and Easysland, an improvement from being the third highest last season.

11st 9lb, 166 (11st 10lb in 2020, 170)

The back-to-back Grand National winner is down a 1lb from last year's weights in his quest for history in the prestigious race.

The 11-year-old has had four starts since last year's weights were revealed, including defeat in the Boyne Hurdle and a second-place finish in the Cross Country. This season he was well beaten on the Flat and pulled-up on his latest start.

His mission in 2021 is made marginally easier with that drop but he will have to bounce back to his best if he is to complete a famous hat-trick.

11st 7lb, 164 (11st in 2020, 160)

A leading Irish fancy last season, Chris's Dream will have to carry 7lb more in weight and compete from a 4lb higher mark to secure Grand National glory in 2021.

Chris's Dream: will carry 11st 7lb in the 2021 Grand NationalCredit: Caroline Norris

The Henry de Bromhead-trained nine-year-old came close to a top-level breakthrough when a neck second in the Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal in October and – although not quite up to scratch in the John Durkan on his only start since – he could emerge as a live National contender despite his rise in the weights.

Lake View Lad
11st, 157 (10st 8lb in 2020, 154)

Lake View Lad stunned the likes of Santini, Native River and Frodon with victory at Aintree in the Many Clouds Chase in December and is set to carry 6lb more in weight this season.

Grand National entries and betting

In the famous Trevor Hemmings silks, that success was a career-best from the 11-year-old, although he disappointed when finishing 78 lengths behind Native River in the Cotswold Chase at Sandown.

There could still be more to come with his owner seeking a fourth National success.

10st 13lb, 156 (10st 10lb in 2020, 158)

Classy mare Magic Of Light carried 10st 11lb when second to Tiger Roll in the 2019 Grand National and will take on just 2lb more when attempting to go one better two years on.

The Jessica Harrington-trained ten-year-old will carry 3lb more than due in 2020 (2lb lower handicap mark) and heads to Aintree following a fine season, winning comfortably at Listed level at Newbury before a good second behind Roksana at Ascot. She won both those races before her big Aintree run in 2019.

10st 12lb, 155 (11st 2lb in 2020, 162)

The Tony Martin-trained 11-year-old has an impressive CV and certainly catches the eye now confirmed to have a weight 4lb lower than due in 2020.

Anibale Fly: classy National contenderCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Although BHA handicapper Martin Greenwood has given him a mark of 155, some 5lb above his official rating in Ireland, it is 7lb lower than the mark of 162 he was allotted 12 months ago.

He has finished second and third in Gold Cup and finished fourth (11st 8lb) and fifth (11st 10lb) in the last two Grand Nationals.

However, Anibale Fly has not raced in almost a year and could be a forgotten horse given his fine record in the biggest races and with this reduced weight.

10st 10lb, 153 (10st 4lb in 2020, 150)

Kimberlite Candy was one of the leading fancies for the Grand National last season and is one of the favourites for 2021, despite being expected to carry 6lb more than his allotted weight 12 months ago (3lb higher in the handicap).

The Tom Lacey-trained nine-year-old has raced only once this season, putting in a highly encouraging second-place effort over the National fences in the Becher Chase in December.

He looks a live contender for the race even if his task is a fair bit tougher than it was at this same stage last season.

10st 6lb, 149 (10st 6lb, 152)

Winner of the Virtual Grand National, Potters Corner is due to run off the same weight he was set to in 2020, despite his rating dropping by 3lb.

Watch Potters Corner win the 2019 Welsh Grand National

The Welsh-trained runner has made three starts this season with the first a promising third over Cheltenham's cross country fences in November. He has struggled to replicate that form over hurdles and perhaps returning to Cheltenham – and going back over fences – will spark a revival before Aintree.

Read more on the 2021 Grand National:

'I hope he runs for the public' – Elliott on 7lb National rise for Tiger Roll

'Tiger Roll's rating is very fair' – Ruby Walsh on the Grand National weights

'He looks a real player' – who our experts fancy for Grand National glory

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