It’s back! The 40-runner, £1 million Grand National is the race so many of us wait for and we’ve done all the donkey work in attempting to whittle this monster field down to a few major contenders.

If we did it ten times we might get ten different results, but in any case we’ve narrowed the field to eight contenders we think have a solid chance of winning the world’s most famous horse race.

Main Contenders

Any Second Now 

Understandably challenging for favouritism is last year’s third, Any Second Now.

JP McManus is confident and his prep has been fantastic – he saw off Escaria Ten in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February.

We know that Any Second Now has all the right attributes and he is proven in the race, the only doubt being his ability to go two places better off 2lbs higher at the age of ten.

De Rasher Counter 

Another ten-year-old is Emma Lavelle’s De Rasher Counter who is a bit of an enigma but can’t be left out.

A Ladbrokes Trophy winner two seasons ago, De Rasher Counter was going nicely and was sent off just 8/1 for the 2020 Midlands Grand National before getting an injury.

Off the track for 16 months, he then made a return in February at Newbury and did well, looking the type to quickly get back to his best in conditions that should suit.

Escaria Ten

Gordon Elliott isn’t the most popular guy in racing these days, but Tiger Roll’s trainer knows what it takes to win the Grand National and he has prepared plenty of challengers for the race in the Tiger’s absence.

Escaria Ten has been improving generally and was just a nose behind Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase.

Third at Cheltenham last year over 3¾ miles, staying is no issue and in fact he should thrive in these circumstances. Adrian Heskin rides.

Kildisart 

Much like De Rasher Counter, Kildisart had to spend some time off the track before coming back recently and he too can make his presence felt for Ben Pauling.

An Aintree winner and second at a Cheltenham Festival, he should handle this more than fine and stands a fair chance.

Longhouse Poet 

Although Longhouse Poet has had only six chase starts to date, there was no chance of him going under the radar after he landed £50,000 when winning recently at Gowran for trainer Martin Brassil.

His handicap mark for this race of 155 may present a challenge, but he has lots in his favour including staying ability and it would be no surprise to see good money for him near race time.

Mount Ida

Tongues have been wagging regarding Snow Leopardess and whether a mare can win this race, but against Mount Ida the likely favourite may not even be the best mare in the contest!

Mount Ida beat Elimay back in February, strong form, and has been generally campaigned over shorter distances in preparation for the National.

She can stay though and in fact won the Kim Muir at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, giving her a huge chance here at a big price.

Run Wild Fred

We expected Run Wild Fred to perhaps win the National Hunt Challenge Cup at Cheltenham, though in the end he had to settle for second behind Stattler.

He was favourite that day and it was still a good staying performance, in fact he is understandably well fancied for this race and is not badly treated off his 158 handicap mark.

Snow Leopardess 

The ante-post favourite is three from three this season, has already won at Aintree, is improving all the time and carries a handy 10-9.

The ten-year-old mare won the Becher is dour fashion back in December, showing she can stay, and has followed up since.

She is bang in with a chance of course but we can’t help thinking that it may just not be her day and so at such short odds she can be overlooked for win purposes. It would be a great story if she won, however.

Summary

Naturally, it’s pointless tipping one single horse in the Grand National. Whether you bet each-way or use these horses as part of various cover bets is up to you, but we think three of them are worth playing at the odds.

As it happens, all three are trained by Gordon Elliott. MOUNT IDA, ESCARIA TEN and RUN WILD FRED are the three we think you should concentrate on.

If you’re betting each-way, make sure you search for the best possible terms as some firms will be going not just five but also six, seven or even eight places.