There were no withdrawals from the top forty at the final declaration stage for Saturday’s Aintree Grand National. That means no place in the field for the David Pipe trained duo, The Package and Broadway Buffalo. Unless there are any late jockey changes, Katie Walsh will not get the chance to complete the Irish/English Grand National double.
Here are the final forty with our star ratings from 1 to 5 and the best prices available.
Lord Windermere ***
The winner of the 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup but pulled up this year on unfavourable ground. Has the right conditions here but will surely be anchored by his weight. 40-1 Bet365
Many Clouds ***
Won the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and took his chance in the Gold Cup, finishing sixth. Leighton Aspell bids to follow up last year’s win on Pineau De Re but this one also has plenty of weight. 33-1 William Hill
Unioniste ***
Runs in the same colours as 2012 winner Neptune Collonges but does not look likely to get the soft ground that he loves. 33-1 Sportingbet
Rocky Creek *****
A very impressive winner at Kempton in February and looks capable of improving on his fifth place from last year. 10-1 Ladbrokes
First Lieutenant **
Trainer Mouse Morris had two horses in the frame in the Irish National on Monday and hopes are high for Nina Carberry’s mount. Stamina may be the problem here as his only three-mile win came on the Mildmay course here. 33-1 Sportingbet
Balthazar King *****
Runner-up last year to Pineau De Re and missed the Cheltenham festival to go straight for the National. Jockey Richard Johnson is still trying to win the race after 18 attempts. 10-1 Bet365
Shutthefrontdoor ****
Bidding to give Tony McCoy a fairytale send-off. He won the Irish National last year but Jonjo O’Neill would like to have been able to get one more race into him this season. 15-2 Sportingbet
Pineau De Re ****
Trying to emulate Red Rum by winning back-to-back Grand Nationals but is now 8lbs higher in the handicap. Daryl Jacob takes over in the saddle with Leighton Aspell claimed for Many Clouds. 25-1 Ladbrokes
Ballycasey ***
Ruby Walsh won on Papillion and Hedgehunter but Ballycasey still has a lot to prove. Very light on experience for the hurly-burly of the Grand National. 40-1 Skybet
Spring Heeled *****
Stable companion of Lord Windermere and a winner at Cheltenham last year. Nick Scholfield was third on Teaforthree in 2013 and fancies his chances of improving on that here. 22-1 William Hill
Rebel Rebellion ***
Won veterans’ race at Newbury last month and does not look the pick of the four Nicholls runners. Stamina could be an issue for this one. 66-1 Sportingbet
Dolatulo **
The winner of the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby in December but has been well beaten over hurdles since. Warren Greatrex enjoyed his first Cheltenham festival victory last month but it’s difficult to see him adding a Grand National with this one. 66-1 Sportingbet
Mon Parrain **
He was runner-up to Always Waining in the Topham Chase way back in 2011 but that was about as good it as it got. Will be a first National ride for 17-year-old Sean Bowen who has ridden two trebles in the last seven days. 50-1 Coral
Carlito Brigante NON-RUNNER
Night In Milan ***
Won the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster last season but missed the cut for the National. He looks the sort to be up with the pace in the early stages but may struggle on the second circuit. 33-1 Ladbrokes
Rubi Light **
Has won his last two starts over shorter distances at Thurles and Wexford. Was at his peak back in 2012 and it will be a surprise if he stays the marathon journey. 100-1 Coral
The Druids Nephew ****
Won a big handicap at the Cheltenham festival for Neil Mulholland who has booked Aidan Coleman to replace the injured Barry Geraghty. Cheltenham festival winners generally have a poor record here but could he buck the trend? 14-1 Paddy Power
Cause Of Causes *****
Gordon Elliott won with Silver Birch in 2007 and has a good each-way chance with Cause Of Causes. He won over four miles at Cheltenham last time but this is his first sight of the National fences. 18-1 Bet365
Godsmejudge ****
Won the Scottish National in 2013 and finished second in the same race last year. He has been very disappointing this season but would have a great chance on his best form. 22-1 Skybet
Al Co ****
Won the Scottish National at 40-1 last season and Denis O’Regan takes over in the saddle from the injured Jamie Moore. Has been brought along quietly for this race and connections are optimistic. 25-1 Ladbrokes
Monbeg Dude ***
A respectable seventh last year and a past winner of the Welsh National at Chepstow. Disappointing in his trial at Cheltenham and most of his best form has been on soft ground. 40-1 BetVictor
Corrin Wood **
One of two runners for Donald McCain who won with Ballabriggs in 2011. Has struggled to recapture his novice chasing form. 80-1 Sportingbet
The Rainbow Hunter **
Has unseated his rider in the past two Grand Nationals and pulled up on his only run this year. 66-1 BetVictor
Saint Are ***
Finished ninth here in 2013 and was third in the Becher Chase in December. Warmed up for this with a minor victory at Catterick. 33-1 Bet365
Across The Bay **
Was going well in the lead when carried across the track by a loose horse last year. That was a long way from the finish but will surely be up with the pace again this year. 50-1 Paddy Power
Tranquil Sea *
Past his prime at thirteen years of age and held by Soll on Newbury form. 100-1 BetVictor
Oscar Time **
The oldest horse in the field at fourteen and placed in two previous Nationals. Would need to re-write the record books to win at his age. 50-1 Bet365
Bob Ford *
Won the West Wales National at Ffos Las in terrible ground and not going to get his conditions here. 100-1 BetVictor
Super Duty **
Was a useful novice with Donald McCain but has shown nothing so far for Ian Williams. 80-1 Sportingbet
Wyck Hill **
Was bought by JP McManus for the 2013 National but lost his form. Repaid some of the investment by winning the Eider Chase last year for David Bridgwater. 66-1 Sportingbet
Gas Line Boy *
Stable companion of Balthazar King but not in the same league and has been hit hammered by the handicapper for a win at Haydock in November. 100-1 Paddy Power
Chance Du Roy ***
One of three runners for Philip Hobbs and a regular visitor to Liverpool. He is one of the most experienced runners over these fences and should put in a clear round without quite having the pace to win it. 40-1 William Hill
Portrait King **
Won the Eider Chase in 2012 but has dropped down the handicap since and looks past his prime. 80-1 Sportingbet
Owega Star *
Peter Fahey’s eight-year-old was well beaten at Naas last month and looks out of his depth here. 100-1 Sportingbet
River Choice *
A rare French raider but little to suggest that he will do anything other than make up the numbers. 150-1 Sportingbet
Court By Surprise ***
Emma Lavelle is bidding to become the fourth woman to train a Grand National winner and this is her first runner in the race. Was awarded the race at Wincanton last time but capable of putting in a clear round. 50-1 Coral
Alvarado ***
The Rucker family have been placed in the last six Grand Nationals and Alvarado has the responsibility of making it seven. Paul Moloney will try to pop him round safely and worry about getting a place on the second circuit. 20-1 Paddy Power
Soll ***
David Pipe’s only runner as he bids to follow up his victory with Comply Or Die in 2008. He was seventh in 2013 when trained by Jo Hughes and has won both of his races since joining Pipe. 22-1 Betway
Ely Brown *
He was off the track for nearly year after picking up an injury and surely lacks the experience for this race. 100-1 BetVictor
Royale Knight **
Scraping in at number forty, Royale Knight is a stable companion of Pineau De Re but that is probably the best thing that you can say about his chances here. 33-1 Ladbrokes
