Five names to note as the Grand National contenders are revealed

Entries for the Randox Health Grand National were revealed on Wednesday and here are five names in the mix for the £1 million marathon on April 14

Blaklion
Nigel Twiston-Davies (trainer)
10-1 (odds)
From a yard that knows how win the National, the 2016 RSA winner looked like adding jump racing's biggest prize to his CV last year when tanking round under Noel Fehily. But he weakened towards the end and could manage only fourth. A year older and possibly stronger, he shaped well when second in the Charlie Hall and his Becher Chase victory over the National fences makes him a firm favourite.

Definitly Red
Brian Ellison
20-1
Make no mistake, the angel of the north is definitely a contender for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, but he has unfinished business at Aintree, where his saddle slipped in last year's race. He was pulled up early, which saved him from a hard slog and has flourished this season, winning two Grade 2s, including Saturday's Cotswold Chase. That has earned him a place in the Gold Cup field, but Brian Ellison has already indicated Cheltenham and the National are both on the agenda.

Total Recall
Willie Mullins
20-1
Was thought to be well handicapped for the Ladbrokes Trophy and so it proved when he struck in what was known as the Hennessy Gold Cup. Due to have his first start since then over hurdles at Leopardstown on Sunday, he seems to have plenty going for him in the Aintree highlight and would add some undoubted gloss to what has been a tricky campaign for Willie Mullins if successful.

Total Recall: Ladbrokes Trophy winner runs over hurdles on SundayCredit: Mark Cranham

Gold Present
25-1
Nicky Henderson
This handsome son of Presenting has always been held in high regard at Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows stable, but the feeling that everything is falling into place this season looks justified after smooth wins at Newbury and Ascot. He was going well over the National fences in the Topham last year, only to fall, but is generally a sound jumper who should relish nice spring ground. Henderson, who has surprisingly not entered Ladbrokes Trophy runner-up Whisper, has yet to win a National but he appears to have a live chance in Gold Present.

Seeyouatmidnight
50-1
Sandy Thomson
Successive Scottish strikes in the National? Who knows, but connections of Seeyouatmidnight have long considered the ten-year-old an ideal challenger for the world's most famous jumps race, although having been off since March it will take some training performance to emulate the success of Lucinda Russell's One For Arthur. The good news, however, is Seeyouatmidnight, who has also had a wind operation during his absence, has made a full recovery from a ligament problem and is being aimed at a February return before Aintree.

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