The lowdown on all the runners and riders
The official field of runners for the 2017 Grand National is finalised in the week before the race (8th April 2017). Until then we'll feature the leading horses in the Paddy Power Betting.
With a name like Definitely Red this horse will no doubt have plenty of football fans backing him. Regardless of the tenuous football connection you might want to consider the Brian Ellison trained horse on his merits alone. He has an impressive return on runs and has won or placed in six of his eight chase starts – Definitely capable of landing in the Champions League spots.
NO.17 | JOCKEY: D COOK | FORM: 131U1 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: B. ELLISON
Gave a great account of himself in the 2016 race when finishing 7th. Since then he's kicked on with two notable wins, the first one over the National fences in the Becher Chase and the second in the Grand National trial at Haydock. You couldn't ask for a better preparation for the big one, the only negatives are his tumbling odds.
NO.16 | JOCKEY: T SCUDAMORE | FORM: 267-11 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: D. PIPE
Hasn't run that often in Chases but has some good form in the book, including winning the BobbyJo chase in February. Could spring a pleasant surprise for backers.
NO.21 | JOCKEY: R. WALSH | FORM: 3P-141 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: W MULLINS
A long distance chaser who should relish the challenge of Aintree. Blaklion has notched up three wins and placed three times from ten chase starts, looks fairly treated by the handicapper – obvious claims.
NO.10 | JOCKEY: N FEHILY | FORM: 3-4532 | WEIGHT: 11-01 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: N. TWISTON-DAVIES
If he could repeat his best form from recent years then More Of That could be in with a shout, one to consider with the bookies offering extra eachway places.
NO.2 | JOCKEY: B. GERAGHTY | FORM: P36U6 | WEIGHT: 11-06 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: J. O'NEILL
An experienced chaser who has made it round the Grand National course before. Canny eachway backers will be looking for a runner just like Cause Of Causes.
NO.14 | JOCKEY: Mr J J CODD | FORM: 5P051 | WEIGHT: 10-13 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: G. ELLIOTT
One For Arthur placed 5th in the recent Becher Chase at Aintree and is enjoying a decent run of form. The handicapper looks to have given this Lucinda Russell trained horse a fighting chance.
NO.22 | JOCKEY: D FOX | FORM: 43-151 | WEIGHT: 10-11 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: L RUSSELL
Finished sixth last year and is fancied to improve on that position in 2017. Recently scored a fourth place in the Becher Chase at Aintree and that should give his backers every confidence that this Gordon Elliott trained nine year old could be in with a real chance.
NO.18 | JOCKEY: D JACOB | FORM: 74724 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: G. ELLIOTT
The Young Master was a faller in the 2016 Becher Chase over the National fences. Next time out he went over the Hurdles at Cheltenham and finished 14th out of 15 runners. However, he's won major races in the past and will likely partner with Sam Waley-Cohen on the big day, a jockey with a fantastic record in the Grand National.
NO.13 | JOCKEY: S WALEY-COHEN | FORM: 31-F06 | WEIGHT: 10-13 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: N. MULHOLLAND
Previously trained by Donald McCain and now with Kim Bailey, two trainers who know what it takes to win this race. The Last Samuri finished 2nd in the 2016 Grand National, can he go one better this time? Plenty think he can.
NO.1 | JOCKEY: D. BASS | FORM: 112-532 | WEIGHT: 11-10 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: K. BAILEY
Fell in the Hennessy Gold Cup but to be fair, that was his only blip in over two years – no falls, unseats or pull-ups so as consistency goes he's right up there. Does his best work over two and a half miles, so doubts remain whether he'll stay the marathon Aintree trip.
NO.5 | JOCKEY: S TWISTON-DAVIES | FORM: 3F215 | WEIGHT: 11-05 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: P. NICHOLLS
Vicante won the Scottish Grand National in April 2016 and then contested the Coral Welsh National in late December, he didn't win that day at Chepstow but he did finish in 6th place. On those results it's easy to see why trainer Paul Nicholls is keen on his chances, especially considering the light weight he's been handed.
NO.29 | JOCKEY: B. HUGHES | FORM: 1-F669 | WEIGHT: 10-10 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: P. NICHOLLS
Could trainer Mouse Morris win back to back Grand Nationals? He certainly has a chance with a couple of his runners but Rogue Angel's form hasn't been fantastic this season – gets around but not always in the money.
NO.34 | JOCKEY: B J COOPER | FORM: 080095 | WEIGHT: 10-08 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: M MORRIS
Narrowly missed out on winning the 2015 Grand National when beaten by Many Clouds. He was back at Aintree in 2016 but pulled up at the last fence. He looks like a value bet for a horse who previously went so close to winning the National.
NO.28 | JOCKEY: D RUSSELL | FORM:0-53F2 | WEIGHT: 10-10 | AGE: 11 | TRAINER: T. GEORGE
Winner of the Becher Chase in 2015 and followed it up with a second place finish in 2016, Highland Lodge can definitely get around the Aintree fences and may get the Scots backing him heavily if his name is anything to go by!
NO.25 | JOCKEY: H. BROOKE | FORM: 721P-2 | WEIGHT: 10-11 | AGE: 11 | TRAINER: J. MOFFATT
His odds have tumbled from 66/1 which is quite something for a horse who only recently started running at three miles. Asking for more than 4 miles out of a seven year old is always a tough one but he's solid and his two most recent runs at Kempton show that he is on good form.
NO.19 | JOCKEY: AP HESKIN | FORM: -2P512 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | AGE: 7 | TRAINER: T. GEORGE
One of only two 12-year-olds to run this year, the other is Maggio, Raz De Maree is not letting his age slow him down at all. He was second in the Coral Welsh National in December and won the Cork Grand National Handicap Chase back in November. Definitely a runner with stamina who can go the distance.
NO.32 | JOCKEY: G. FOX | FORM: U21722 | WEIGHT: 10-09 | AGE: 12 | TRAINER: G. CROMWELL
Things will be tough for the Doc as he has only just started running chases at 3m+ this season though he gave a decent account of himself at Cheltenham last month when finishing 7th in the Kim Muir Handicap Chase.
NO.40 | JOCKEY: C. O'FARRELL | FORM: -P92P7 | WEIGHT: 10-06 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: D. PIPE
Still needs a few more to get withdrawn before he's guaranteed a run, but if he gets in then it's worth taking a second look at him. He won the Irish Grand National in 2015 and while his season didn't start off very well, a second place in the Bobbbyjo Chase in February points to improving form.
NO.36 | JOCKEY: M. ENRIGHT | FORM: 207226 | WEIGHT: 10-07 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: M. MORRIS
Ran in last year's Grand National but was unfortunately pulled up for only the second time in his career. It was a teeny blip from a horse that has never unseated or fallen, and who just finished second at Cheltenham in the Foxhunters Chase.
NO.8 | JOCKEY: K WALSH | FORM: P7-112 | WEIGHT: 11-02 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: P. NICHOLLS
Roi Des Francs is on decent enough form this season. He did win his last race but was disappointing in the race before that, finishing a long way off the winner. He's a good horse and can definitely contend if luck is on his side.
NO.6 | JOCKEY: J. KENNEDY | FORM: 320541 | WEIGHT: 11-03 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: G. ELLIOTT
Just A Par is one of those horses that's tricky to pin down. While at times he has moments of brilliance, it's equally likely that he'll finish half way down the pack. He did run in the 2016 National and finished but had to contend with 15th place. Experience over the National fences counts for a lot but will it improve his chances?
NO.30 | JOCKEY: H. COBDEN | FORM: 02-4P1 | WEIGHT: 10-09 | AGE: 10 | TRAINER: P. NICHOLLS
Venetia Williams knows a thing or two about springing a surprise in the Grand National. In 2009 she trained the 100/1 winner Mon Mome. However, you can’t help feeling that Houblon Des Obeaux will need a slice of luck if he’s to repeat that success. Nevertheless, he’s an experience chaser with 48 races under his belt and he will carry a favourable weight on the day – can Venetia do it again?
NO.20 | JOCKEY: C. DEUTSCH | FORM: P-3484 | WEIGHT: 10-12 | AGE: 10 | TRAINER: V. WILLIAMS
Comes into the race with bags of experience and of all the long-shots he could be the one to spring a surprise. Those big odds could make a stellar eachway bet for brave punters.
NO.33 | JOCKEY: D. MULLINS | FORM: 103242 | WEIGHT: 10-09 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: H DE BROMHEAD
A few pundits like the look of Measureofmydreams based on some decent results from last season, namely finishing third to Minella Rocco at Cheltenham, but he's been disappointing this season so far. He does however, have a good weight for the National, is the right age and has plenty of stamina – one for the dreamers?
NO.31 | JOCKEY: D. MEYLER | FORM: 3F0-P0 | WEIGHT: 10-09 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: N. MEADE
If the erratic British weather takes a turn for the worst and it absolutely pours down over Aintree the Tenor Nivernais is the runner that will benefit the most. That said, he's on great form and in the last four years hasn't unseated or fallen and pulled up just once.
NO.9 | JOCKEY: A. COLEMAN | FORM: 34312 | WEIGHT: 11-01 | AGE: 10 | TRAINER: V. WILLIAMS
Didn't make it in last year despite being a reserve but has most definitely secured a spot for 2017. He's a good runner but whether he can really make an impact is another question. That said with the name ‘Bishop' there might be some divine intervention on the day!
NO.26 | JOCKEY: J MOORE | FORM: UF-403 | WEIGHT: 10-10 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: K. LEE
Unlucky not to line-up in last year's Grand National when he made it onto the reserves list. This year he'll be guaranteed a spot and his form looks to be peaking at the right time too, maybe not the Perfect Grand National candidate but a pretty good one.
NO.4 | JOCKEY: P BRENNAN | FORM: 1-02P1 | WEIGHT: 11-05 | AGE: 10 | TRAINER: F. O'BRIEN
Drop Out Joe finished 9th in the 2015 Scottish Grand National and you'd expect this long distance chaser to relish the Aintree challenge. On the negative side he's only run once this season which makes it hard to assess his chances. Nevertheless, his odds look overly generous and that could tempt canny eachway backers.
NO.11 | JOCKEY: T. O'BRIEN | FORM: 1570-1 | WEIGHT: 11-01 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: C LONGSDON
Has struggled to find the form which saw him win two big races at Cheltenham a few years ago. Lord Windermere pulled up in last year's National but this time round he'll be carrying a stone less.
NO.27 | JOCKEY: L. ASPELL | FORM: PP/295 | WEIGHT: 10-10 | AGE: 11 | TRAINER: J CULLOTY
On recent form there is little to suggest you'll be celebrating with Cocktails come Saturday evening if you back this Nicky Henderson trained nine-year-old. Nevertheless, he's shown glimpses of ability in the past, beating Native River and Blaklion back in 2015.
NO.35 | JOCKEY: N. DE BOINVILLE | FORM: F-P4FP | WEIGHT: 10-08 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: N HENDERSON
Le Mercurey is yet to win over two and a half miles. However, he did contest a three miler at Aintree back in December and was only beaten into second place by the legendary Many Clouds, that performance suggests he's not without ability.
NO.12 | JOCKEY: S BOWEN | FORM: 32523 | WEIGHT: 11-00 | AGE: 7 | TRAINER: P. NICHOLLS
If Wounded Warrior could recapture the form which saw him finish third in the 2015 RSA Chase then you'd expect him to put up a decent fight at Aintree. However, his recent form suggests unconditional surrender is also an option.
NO.7 | JOCKEY: S. FLANAGAN | FORM: 6-406P | WEIGHT: 11-02 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: N. MEADE
Trainer Rebecca Curtis has her work cut out if she's to get O'Faolains Boy challenging in this year's Grand National. The ten year old is on a poor run of form and facing the highest quality Grand National line-up in recent years.
NO.24 | JOCKEY: P. TOWNEND | FORM: P87-PP | WEIGHT: 10-11 | AGE: 10 | TRAINER: R. CURTIS
The stats show 7-year-olds have a poor record in the Grand National and when you consider Shantou Flyer will be carrying near top weight the odds look stacked against him.
NO.3 | JOCKEY: J. MOORE | FORM: 529142 | WEIGHT: 11-05 | AGE: 7 | TRAINER: R. CURTIS
Consistently inconsistent is the best way to describe the form of Regal Encore. He's pulled-up in six of his last eight races but scored in a big handicap race at Ascot in December and also finished second at Punchestown last April. Trainer Anthony Honeyball believes “he has the ability to do something special – if it comes together on the day.”
NO.15 | JOCKEY: R. POWER | FORM: -2PP1P | WEIGHT: 10-13 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: A. HONEYBALL
Unseated Tom Scudamore in last year’s National at the 19th fence and is back again for another crack at the big one. However, preparations haven’t gone smoothly, the David Pipe trained horse has been pulled-up in his last three races. Nevertheless, his previous Aintree form isn’t too shabby, Finished third behind Rolling Aces, and Boston Bob in the 2014 Betfred Melling Chase and he finished second behind Silviniaco Conti in the 2015 Betfred Bowl Chase – Would’ve made an interesting long shot if his recent form hadn’t been so poor.
NO.23 | JOCKEY: D. NOONAN | FORM: 722PPP | WEIGHT: 10-11 | AGE: 11 | TRAINER: D. PIPE
In some ways it's fair to say the bookies are giving generous odds on Gas Line Boy considering he finished fourth behind the current Grand National favourite (Vieux Lion Rouge ) back in February. That said, he is prone to making jumping errors, he fell at the first in the 2015 National! – you pays your money and you takes your chance with this boy.
NO.37 | JOCKEY: R. DUNNE | FORM: 243144 | WEIGHT: 10-07 | AGE: 11 | TRAINER: I WILLIAMS
Goodtoknow will be good to go if the rainfalls on Saturday as his best results have come on heavy and soft ground. Recently he won over 3 miles at Hereford in heavy going but last time out he pulled up in Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Haydock.
NO.38 | JOCKEY: J. GREENALL | FORM: -8521P | WEIGHT: 10-07 | AGE: 9 | TRAINER: K LEE
The eight-year-old mare trained by David Pipe has already jumped around Aintree twice before. She finished 5th in the Grand Sefton and 8th in the Topham Chase. She's unlikely to make an impact in this high quality field but her sound jumping ability is a big plus.
NO.39 | JOCKEY: R. McCLERNON | FORM: -2515P | WEIGHT: 10-06 | AGE: 8 | TRAINER: D PIPE
The horses listed on this page are the entrants in the Randox Health Grand National. Check the odds with your Bookmaker before placing a bet as fluctuations can occur. Full Terms and Conditions for the free bet offers can be found on the Betfair and Paddy Power websites - please read them before you signing up with a bookmaker.
The official ‘Going’ can play a massive part in the outcome of the race.
Read all about past Grand National winners dating back to 1960.
Get Red Rum to pick you a random runner for the Grand National.
More About The Runners…
People will tell you that picking a Grand National winner is a lottery, they'll say that on the day any one of the 40 runners could win. In some respects that statement is true, the National remains one of the most open races in the world. In fact, the first ever winner (1839) was called ‘Lottery', appropriately enough.
But this belief isn’t borne out by the stats. In fact, by looking down the list of winners over the past 40 years – you can spot patterns that will help narrow the field of runners down to a shortlist of entrants who have the right stuff to triumph at Aintree.
Finding a horse who ticks all the boxes below might be tricky. Nevertheless, a runner who ticks the majority of them will have a better chance than those who ticks fewer.
We've put together a list of the key traits which most National winners display. Of course, every few years a horse will come along and rip up the form book. Nevertheless, if you stick to stats the odds will be in your favour and not the bookies.
