Grand National runners: trainers give their verdicts on the leading hopes

Walsh and Rathvinden lead Mullins quartet

Gordon Elliott is not the only Irish trainer with a powerful Randox Health Grand National hand and, while Willie Mullins has just the four runners, one of them is the main market rival to Tiger Roll.

Impressive Bobbyjo Chase winner Rathvinden leads the team for a trainer also represented by last season's close Grand National second Pleasant Company, Up For Review and Livelovelaugh.

Not surprisingly Ruby Walsh has opted for 2018 National Hunt Chase victor Rathvinden as he attempts to add to his triumphs on Papillon and Hedgehunter, who in 2005 gave Mullins what is so far his only National triumph.

Walsh said: "He's got a nice weight, is a good jumper and has won over four miles. He has pace as well as stamina so ticks a lot of the right boxes."

Pleasant Company (near): the Grand National runner-up is one of four runners for Willie MullinsCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Pleasant Company will be partnered by Paul Townend, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Al Boum Photo last month and seeks to become the first jockey since Jim Culloty in 2002 to land the Gold Cup and Grand National in the same year.

Up For Review will be a first ride in the race for Danny Mullins, a nephew of the trainer, while David Mullins, another nephew, won the race on Rule The World in 2016, was second on Pleasant Company and now partners Livelovelaugh.

Rathvinden pros No doubts about his stamina, enjoyed the ideal prep at Fairyhouse and has had this race as his target all season

Rathvinden consDifficult to fault, although it will be his first attempt over the unique fences

Pleasant Company prosWent close to winning this a year ago and has never fallen or unseated

Pleasant Company consMust defy a 7lb higher mark compared to last year's race

Fly tries to make light of heaviest weight

With 11st 10lb on his back, last year's Grand National fourth Anibale Fly would become the highest-weighted winner since Red Rum if able to build on his excellent Gold Cup second.

The nine-year-old, who also finished third in last season's Gold Cup, is 8lb ahead of the handicapper in his bid to give owner JP McManus his second Grand National victory.

Trainer Tony Martin, who has saddled eight runners in the race, said: "Anibale Fly stayed on very well in the Gold Cup and the rain that fell on Thursday was welcome as he appreciates soft ground. We’re very happy with him."

ProsTwice in the frame in Cheltenham Gold Cup and solid effort when fourth behind Tiger Roll in last year's National. Relishes soft ground and stays well

ConsHas the burden of 11st 10lb to defy

Winning team united in bid for more National glory

Trevor Hemmings and Sue Smith have won it separately and they look set to make a bold bid now they team up for an assault on the world’s most famous chase – albeit a year late.

Vintage Clouds just missed the cut for the Grand National in 2018, the only one of the four reserves not to make the final field.

He was no more than a quietly fancied outsider then, but 12 months on is just about Britain’s leading contender.

That’s quite a contrast to 66-1 shot Auroras Encore, who brought the National trophy back to Smith’s yard perched on the Yorkshire hills in 2013.

But Hemmings is used to going to Aintree with high expectations. His Hedgehunter was the last favourite to win the National and neither Ballabriggs nor Many Clouds was a no-hoper when scoring in his colours since.

Were Vintage Clouds to emulate them, Hemmings – who also has Lake View Lad and Warriors Tale in the race – would become the most successful owner in National history. And his nine-year-old, who emulated Auroras Encore when placed in the Scottish National last season, ran a fine trial when second in the Ultima at Cheltenham.

"He had a little problem with his wind, which we seem to have got sorted, and he ran a great race at Cheltenham," Smith said.

"I hope that will stand him in good stead. He's won round Aintree on the Mildmay course and schooled very well over the National fences at Malton. It's just a matter of staying out of trouble in the race, which is the same for most."

ProsProgressive chaser who has run well in top handicaps for the last two seasons

ConsUntried over the National fences

Vintage Clouds with Harvey and Sue SmithCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Luck be a Lad – first-time contender excited about chance

Beginner's luck has its place at Aintree – Martin Brassil and Gordon Elliott have won the Grand National at the first attempt in the last 13 years, and Nick Alexander could do the same.

"I'm really excited about it, although it's a bit nerve-racking," said the former stockbroker, who brings Lake View Lad down from Kinross with growing confidence the grey can make it two National wins in three years for Scotland.

The nine-year-old is the trainer's first runner but he would be a record fourth winner for Trevor Hemmings, who bought him at the start of the season and has already had an awfully good run for his money.

Lake View Lad won the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle and Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby, and ran an eye-catching trial for the National when a staying-on third in the Ultima at Cheltenham.

"He coped with the whole thing so well," Alexander said on Friday. "The Rehearsal and Rowland Meyrick were eight- or ten-runner handicaps and it's a bit different when you suddenly get a 24-runner handicap going at Cheltenham speed, but he coped with it all great.

"He went down to Aintree yesterday, he was out on the track today and it hasn't fazed him. The rain was a big help, I just hope the ground isn't tacky.

"He was staying on at the end of a very strongly-run Ultima and I hope he'll stay; he just needs luck and a good position."

ProsProgressive chaser who promises to be suited by the marathon trip

ConsHas never tackled this sort of distance or these unique fences

Nick Alexander (left) is 'really excited' about Lake View Lad's chanceCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Joe seeks to end long Welsh wait

More than a century has passed since Wales could claim the Grand National hero but that has the potential to change thanks to Joe Farrell, a leading contender who has already captured a Scottish Grand National.

The 1905 champion Kirkland remains the last Welsh-trained winner of the Aintree spectacular. He was trained in Pembrokeshire, as is Joe Farrell, who hails from the Rebecca Curtis yard that sent out Teaforthree to finish third in 2013.

"I'd love to win the Grand National more than any other race – and if I do win it I think I'll retire the next day!" said Curtis.

At the start of the week it was far from certain Joe Farrell would sneak into the field but his place is guaranteed and his prospects are obvious following his recent second at Newbury.

Joe Farrell and Adam Wedge fly an open ditch on their way to victory in the Scottish Grand NationalCredit: Grossick Racing Photography

Assessing the claims of Adam Wedge's mount, Curtis added: "Ever since he won last year's Scottish National the plan has been to go for the big one – and he's also a slightly stronger and better horse this season.

"I was really pleased with his run at Newbury. It should have put him spot on, and if the ground ends up just on the easy side of good that would be great.

"Looking at his profile and ability he wouldn't be a shock winner. He has all the right credentials, but with so many runners and so many fences you need everything to go right."

ProsProven performer in the marathon chase sphere and has been aimed at the National all season

ConsThursday's rain was not ideal for a horse who thrives on decent ground

Champ Johnson has 21st crack at ending National hoodoo

Soon to be four-time champion jockey Richard Johnson has won the Cheltenham Festival's four crown jewels, including two Gold Cups, but has yet to conquer the race that transcends his sport.

Now, for the 21st time, he attempts to win the Grand National.

Johnson's best two efforts have yielded second place on What's Up Boys in 2002 and Balthazar King five years ago. Both those horses were trained by his long-time ally Philip Hobbs, who will also be seeking to claim his first Grand National when the pair combine with the Diana Whateley-owned Rock The Kasbah, the winner of a strong staying chase at Cheltenham in November.

Rock The Kasbah wins at Cheltenham in November under Richard JohnsonCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I obviously would love to win the Grand National," said Johnson. "I won't have sleepless nights at the end of my career if it doesn't happen, but it would be lovely to win it having gone close twice. It would also be a highlight to win on a horse trained by Philip."

Hobbs said: "The Grand National has been the aim all season and it's because we've been aiming at the National he hasn't run since December. We know he's definitely best fresh.

"His Cheltenham win in November gives him a decent each-way chance and he goes there in very good form, but it's unfortunate the weather has gone against him. The softening of the ground isn't ideal but it's also no reason to miss the race."

ProsShould be at his most potent having not run since December and his Cheltenham win puts him right in the mix

ConsHas two ways of running and this week's rain has not been in his favour

Get the lowdown on Saturday's Grand National outsiders here

Spotlight verdict

Having held off Pleasant Company for Aintree glory in 2018, Tiger Roll has come roaring back this season and took the latest of his many Cheltenham Festival honours with such ease that he brings improved form to this year’s National as well as the 9lb higher mark. The chief negative about him has been the odds in a 40-runner contest. One opponent who could relish his first crack at the race is the Scottish National winner Joe Farrell (nap), who returned to action recently and has shaped very promisingly, as has Rathvinden who’s another to have registered an important win over 4m last term. Vintage Clouds and Lake View Lad shaped well with their strong finishes at Cheltenham, while Step Back should be primed for a bold show. Although Tiger Roll heads the Elliott/Gigginstown horde, Dounikos and General Principle could provide them with further powerful ammunition. All will have something to fear if Minella Rocco is still in contention after the first circuit.

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