Runners, riders, trainers and uniforms – all the basic details you need to know about Saturday’s big race at Aintree. Note: The odds are correct at the time of publication. (Racecourse number, horse, coach, rider, recent form, age, weight [ie 11st 10lb is top weight]. Form: F – Fall, P – Pulled up, U – Rider without seat Note: Approximate chances) Verdict: The form has been strengthened and Eclair Surf can benefit by secretly entering the bottom of the court. School boys’ hours come even later and are also worth considering. 1 Eclair Surf 2 Enjoy D’Allen 3 Freewheelin Dylan 4 Death Duty

  1. MINELLA TIMES Coach: Henry de Bromhead (IRE) Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Form: 221-FP Age: 9 Weight: 11-10 A historic victory last year as the groundbreaking jockey became the first female rider to win the Grand National. He triumphed with six and a half lengths, but this time he has to carry 21 pounds more weight. He has fallen and pulled in two games since then, although the coach feels he is getting back in shape. Only Tiger Roll has secured consecutive victories since Red Rum in the 1970s. Score: 7/10 Odds: 14-1
  2. DELTA WORK Coach: Gordon Eliot (IRE) Jockey: Jack Kennedy Form: 3-4661 Age: 9 Weight: 11-09 Tiger Roll denied the fairytale farewell to Cheltenham when he won the Cross Country Chase last month. This may have been hard work on heavy ground. He won the Irish Gold Cup and was fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup two years ago. Top candidate for coach who has won the race three times – with Silver Birch (2007) and Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019). Score: 8/10 Odds: 10-1
  3. SHOPPING SCHOOL HOURS Instructor: Noel Meade IRE Rider: Sean Flanagan Format: 43-61P Age: 9 Weight: 10-05 It was shot in Cheltenham last month, but previously won the Paddy Power Chase in Leopardstown, although third-place Enjoy D’Allen is comparatively better here. A son of Presenting, who owned the 2011 Ballabriggs winner. It belongs to the two-time National winner, JP McManus, whose decision to withdraw Easysland and Phoenix Way helped it make the final cut. Jockey, a certified pilot, flies himself from Ireland. Score: 7/10 Odds: 20-1 4 ANY SECOND NOW Coach: Ted Walsh (IRE) Rider: Mark Walsh Form: 13-961 Age: 10 Weight: 11-07 He ran a cracker to finish third last year after having a hard time, although he has more weight this time. He advertised his prosperity when he released Escaria Ten at the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February. Trainer won the National in 2000 with Papillon, under his son Ruby, and was third in the Seabass driven by his daughter Katie 10 years ago. Jockey this time has nothing to do with it. Score: 8/10 Odds: 10-1
  4. RUN WILD FRED Coach: Gordon Eliot (IRE) Jockey: Davy Russell Form: 2-2122 Age: 8 Weight: 11-07 He has a note of “seconditis” – finishing second in six of his last seven starts, including the National Ireland 2021 and last month’s National Hunt Chase in Cheltenham. One of the many hopes for a coach seeking a fourth record victory in the big race at Aintree. He missed last year’s meeting while suspended, after being photographed sitting on a dead horse. Score: 7/10 Odds: 20-1
  5. TRANSLATION Coach: Colin Tizzard Jockey: Harry Cobden Form: P-15P8 Age: 10 Weight: 11-06 Talented but inconsistent recently and has to translate the 2019-20 form when you win the Betfair Chase and finish third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The trainer, who also saddles at the Fiddlerontheroof, bids for a swan song success before handing over the reins to his son Joe. The victory would be emotional for the family after Joe’s sister, Kim Gingel, died at the age of 43 from cancer two years ago. Score: 7/10 Odds: 50-1
  6. BRAHMA BULL Coach: Willie Mullins (IRE) Jockey: Brian Hayes Format: 2333PU Age: 11 Weight: 11-06 The champion Irish coach won the match in 2005 with Hedgehunter, but this does not seem to be the most obvious of his prospects, although it would be beneficial if the ground dried up. He finished the field in last year ‘s Irish National when endurance may have been an issue. It bears the distinctive pink and green silks of former banker Rich Ricci and his wife Susannah. Score: 4/10 Odds: 66-1
  7. MAGROUS AGIOS
    Coach: Willie Mullins (IRE) Rider: Paul Townend Form: 24-323 Age: 9 Weight: 11-05 Last year’s selection in this guide, the winner of the 2019 National Ireland, traveled well for a long way before reaching fourth place. We are worried that the petrol may run out again and it was disappointing when a winning favorite behind Any Second Now and Escaria Ten on their last lap. Stable topped 10 of the 28 winners at the Cheltenham Festival last month. Score: 7/10 Odds: 20-1
  8. IDA TERM Coach: Gordon Eliot (IRE) Jockey: Dennis O’Reagan Form: 13-117 Age: 8 Weight: 11-05 Eight years after her birth, she is trying to become the first mare to triumph after Nickel Coin in 1951. Could it be a birthday to really celebrate? He has won four of eight starts over fences, including Kim Muir’s stunning 2021 victory at Cheltenham when he came from last to first. I jumped with my right hand when I returned to the track last month and it will not be a toy to stay straight. Score: 7/10 Odds: 20-1
  9. MAKRYSPITIS POET Coach: Martin Brassil (IRE) Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe Form: 31-717 Age: 8 Weight: 11-04 The coach is looking for the second victory, 16 years after the triumph of Numbersixvalverde. He won the Thyestes Chase, as did his predecessor, when he had several of his Aintree rivals behind him. Jumping and distance should not be a problem, they seem to be at their best on soft ground. He was mentioned by the official handicap as a horse with possible room for improvement when the weights for the race were announced in February. Score: 8/10 Odds: 16-1
  10. FIDDLEONTHEROOF Coach: Colin Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Form: 23-122 Age: 8 Weight: 11-04 If I were rich, I would take a second look at it. Only from the first three once in 18 games. Runners-up on the last two trips to Newbury and Ascot when it seemed like this longer trip might fit. Trainer, in his final season before his son Joe took over, resisted the temptation to go to the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month. In case you were wondering, the horse’s name has 16 letters – the maximum allowed is 18. Score: 8/10 Odds: 20-1
  11. TWO FOR GOLD Coach: Kim Bailey Jockey: David Bass Form: 3U-112 Age: 9 Weight: 11-03 Owners include ITV racer Oli Bell. Described by the trainer as a quirky person (this is the horse). He landed in the big race when Mr Frisk set a record time in 1990. Two For Gold, who have won 10 of 19 starts, are probably at their best on soft ground. She must be sharper than when she missed the break after two wrong starts at last year ‘s Topham Chase over the Nationals’ fence, where she later overturned her rider. Score: 7/10 Odds: 40-1
  12. SANTINI Coach: Polly Gundry Jockey: Nick Scholfield Format: 3P-428 Age: 10 Weight: 11-01 He came close to winning the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup when he won the neck from Al Boum Photo, although he has been eighth in that race ever since. It was harshly described as a “boat” in some areas for an alleged lack of speed, but endurance was guaranteed. Moved by Nicky Henderson in December to Polly Gundry’s small backyard in Devon by homeowners Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes in the hope that a change of scenery could lead to improvement. Score: 7/10 Odds: 40-1
  13. SAMCRO Coach: Gordon Eliot (IRE) Jockey: Sean Bowen Form: 602803 Age: 10 Weight: 11-01 A two-time winner at the Cheltenham Festival who can not be completely discounted despite the suspicion that his best days may be behind him. He had some sinus problems, which now seem to be correcting. The distance of more than four miles will be a test – he was shot in two of his last three attempts over three miles or more. One of the many runners for Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud. Score: 6/10 Odds: 66-1
  14. TEN SCARS Coach: Gordon Eliot (IRE) Jockey: Adrian Heskin Form: 23P-82 Age: 8 Weight: 11-01 I went down the shortest possible distance, one nose, to Any Second Now at Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse the last time I went out. Owner Max McNeill, a Blackburn Rovers supporter, says his preparation could not have gone much better. He did not win much when he was third behind the top quality winner Galvin at Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase last season, but then retired after fatigue in the final stages of the Irish National. Score: 7/10 Odds: 10-1
  15. GOOD CHILD BOMB
    Coach: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Daryl Jacob Form: -31217 Age: 9 Weight: 10-13 They had Lord Du Mesnil and Top Ville Ben behind when they won the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby in December, although the weights fit them best here. She’s probably safe for a discount on the last lap when she was seventh at Kempton, but she needs to prove her resilience. Trainer has won the National twice – with Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002). Score: 6/10 Odds: 40-1
  16. ROMAIN DE GYNAM Coach: David Pipe Jockey: Philip Armson Form: B143-P Age: 10 Weight: 10-05 He was scheduled to run at the shortest Topham Handicap Chase on Friday before Lord Du Mesnil’s retirement allowed him to enter the Grand National. Trainer won the big race in 2008 thanks to Comply Or Die and Martin’s father triumphed 14 years earlier with comedian Freddie Starr Miinnehoma. He was only shot at the beginning of this season and I will joke if he triumphs as he does not stand out as the most obvious candidate. Score: 5/10 Odds: 66-1
  17. COCO BEACH Coach: Gordon Elliott (IRE) Rider: Jonjo O’Neill Jr Form: 46P644 Age: 7 Weight: 10-13 Trainer runners are not often dismissed casually, even if the stable has fallen below the normal hit rate in recent weeks. The defeat of comrade Run Wild Fred when he won the Thyestes Chase last year is well read. The concern here could be the biggest trip, with gray running out of gas when he was seventh in last year’s Irish National. Score: 6/10 Odds: 40-1
  18. DE RASHER CONTER Coach: Emma Lavelle Jockey: Adam Wedge Shape: 4P / 2-4 Age: 10 Weight: 10-12 Winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy, former …