Which trainers are hot - and who's not - ahead of the Grand National festival

After nearly three years away, thousands of fans will descend upon Liverpool this week for the 2022 Randox Grand National festival.

It feels like Cheltenham has only just finished, yet all eyes are already on the world's most famous steeplechase.

The turnaround has been fast, with some trainers opting to keep some of their horses fresh for Aintree this week rather than running them at Cheltenham.

Here is a look at who is in form – and who is in need of a few winners – ahead of three days of quality jumps racing.

5.15 Aintree Saturday: Randox Grand National racecard and betting

Hot

Willie Mullins

Key stat: Willie Mullins saddled a staggering ten winners at Cheltenham, eclipsing his own record for the week and moving his overall tally at Prestbury Park to 88.

Mullins, who has remained in form since Cheltenham having saddled six winners from his last 25 runners, has 13 entries across the three days at Aintree so emulating his Cheltenham feat is unlikely, with Burrows Saint his best chance in the Grand National.

On Thursday, Kemboy will bid to reclaim the Betway Bowl (2.55) title he won in 2019 but faces stiff opposition in the form of Protektorat, Clan Des Obeaux and Conflated.

Main runners: Kemboy (Betway Bowl), Ashroe Diamond (mares' bumper), Royal Rendezvous (Melling Chase/Topham), Blackbow (Topham), Annamix (Topham), Gentleman De Mee (Maghull Novices' Chase), Burrows Saint (Grand National).

Can Gold Cup third Protektorat land the Betway Bowl?Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Dan Skelton

Key stat: Dan Skelton didn't have a winner at Cheltenham, but things have picked up since. As of Tuesday he had saddled eight winners from 29 runners – a 28 per cent strike-rate – including Beakstown's Listed handicap chase win at Ayr.

This could be a big week for Skelton, whose challenge is led by Gold Cup third Protektorat in Thursday's Betway Bowl.

He opted to skip Cheltenham with Elle Est Belle, favouring heading straight to Aintree, where she is entered in novice hurdles on Friday (2.20) and Saturday (2.25).

Main runners: Protektorat (Betway Bowl), Marracudja (Foxhunters'), King D'Argent (Red Rum Chase), Kateira (mares' bumper), Langer Dan (Grade 3 2m4f handicap hurdle/Grade 3 3m½f handicap hurdle), Allmankind (Marsh Chase), Spiritofthegames (Topham Chase), Elle Est Belle (Betway Novices' Hurdle/Mersey Novices' Hurdle), Third Time Lucki (Maghull Novices' Chase), Shan Blue (Betway Handicap Chase), Blaklion (Grand National).

Cold

Gordon Elliott

Key stat: As of Tuesday Elliott had saddled just a single winner from his last 25 runners – Platinumcard going in at Ayr under Sean Bowen.

It seems a bit daft to call out the form of Elliott given the embarrassment of riches he has at his disposal – he is set to throw eight darts at the Grand National alone, including two of the race favourites.

However, these are relatively lean times for the Cullentra House operation, with two Cheltenham winners quite disappointing by Elliott's lofty standards, although Ginto looked a shoo-in for the Albert Bartlett before suffering a fatal injury.

Main runners: Pied Piper (Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle), Conflated (Betway Bowl), Zanahiyr (Aintree Hurdle), Fury Road (Mildmay Novices' Chase), Battleoverdoyen (Topham), Minella Crooner (Sefton Novices' Hurdle), Three Stripe Life (Mersey Novices' Hurdle), Sire Du Berlais (Liverpool Hurdle), Death Duty, Delta Work, Farclas, Escaria Ten, Coko Beach, Mount Ida, Run Wild Fred, Samcro (all Grand National).

Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore celebrate A Plus Tard's Gold Cup victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Henry de Bromhead

Key stat: Henry de Bromhead has not saddled a winner since A Plus Tard won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 18, and has failed to hit the target in Ireland since February.

However, the trainer made a mockery of his poor form in the lead-up to Cheltenham and enjoyed another good week, with A Plus Tard's Gold Cup romp one of three victories during the festival.

Things have dried up again since, and De Bromhead has poured cold water on Minella Times's hopes of claiming a second Grand National.

Main runners: Gin On Lime (Manifesto Novices' Chase, Mildmay Novices' Chase), Dancing On My Own, Zarkareva, Bold Enough (all Red Rum Handicap Chase), Captain Guinness (Marsh Chase), Notebook (Topham), Minella Times, Plan Of Attack, Poker Party, Court Maid (all Grand National)

Read more on the Grand National festival:

Rachael Blackmore to ride defending champ Minella Times in 2022 Grand National

'He's extremely well' – Protektorat primed to be best of Britain in Betway Bowl

Big-race tips: why this horse can win the 2022 Grand National at Aintree

2022 Randox Grand National: start time, TV details, tickets, contenders and more

Head over to our dedicated Grand National 2022 site for the latest tips and odds for the big race. Our leading horseracing tipsters share their Grand National tips and it's completely free!