Grand National 2018 runners, riders and tips: who should you back at Aintree?
Sport

Grand National 2018 runners, riders and tips: who should you back at Aintree?

The biggest horse racing event of the year is nearly upon us, with all the runners and riders for the 2018 Grand National currently gearing up for their big day at Aintree.

A total of 40 horses will line up for the world’s greatest steeplechase this Saturday with a £1 million total prize fund up for grabs.

All of the runners and riders will be aiming to complete the 4m 2f 74-yard course when the race begins on Saturday, April 14 at 5:15pm – but who is your money on?

Let's look at the runners, riders and who to look out for.

Grand National Racecard: Runners & Riders

Horse, Age, weight, trainer

1. THUNDER AND ROSES (IRE), 10, 10-05, Mouse Morris (RESERVE 1)

2. BLAKLION, 9, 11-10, Nigel Twiston-Davies

3. ANIBALE FLY (FR), 8, 11-08, Tony Martin IRE

4. THE LAST SAMURI (IRE), 10, 11-08, Kim Bailey

5. VALSEUR LIDO (FR), 9, 11-07, Henry de Bromhead IRE

6. TOTAL RECALL (IRE), 9, 11-05, Willie Mullins IRE

7. ALPHA DES OBEAUX (FR), 8, 11-04, Mouse Morris IRE

8. PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE), 11, 11-03, Fergal O'Brien

9. SHANTOU FLYER (IRE), 8, 11-02, Richard Hobson

10. TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR), 11, 11-01, Venetia Williams

11. CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE), 12, 11-01, John Kiely IRE

12. DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR (IRE), 8, 10-05, Sue Smith (RESERVE 2)

13. TIGER ROLL (IRE), 8, 10-13, Gordon Elliott IRE

14. REGAL ENCORE (IRE), 10, 10-13, Anthony Honeyball

15. VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR), 9, 10-13, David Pipe

16. CHASE THE SPUD, 10, 10-12, Fergal O'Brien

17. WARRIORS TALE, 9, 10-12, Paul Nicholls

18. SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT, 10, 10-12, Sandy Thomson

19. GAS LINE BOY (IRE), 12 10-11, Ian Williams

20. THE DUTCHMAN (IRE), 8, 10-11, Colin Tizzard

21. PLEASANT COMPANY (IRE), 10, 10-11, Willie Mullins IRE

22. UCELLO CONTI (FR), 10, 10-10, Gordon Elliott IRE

23. SAINT ARE (FR), 12, 10-10, Tom George

24. WALK IN THE MILL (FR), 8, 10-04, Robert Walford (RESERVE 3)

25. RAZ DE MAREE (FR), 13, 10-09, Gavin Cromwell IRE

26. I JUST KNOW (IRE), 8, 10-08, Sue Smith

27. VIRGILIO (FR), 9, 10-08, Dan Skelton

28. BAIE DES ILES (FR), 7, 10-08, Ross O'Sullivan IRE

29. MAGGIO (FR), 13, 10-08, Patrick Griffin IRE

30. PENDRA (IRE), 10, 10-08, Charlie Longsdon

31. BUYWISE (IRE), 11, 10-08, Evan Williams

32. CHILDRENS LIST (IRE), 8, 10-08, Willie Mullins IRE

33. LORD WINDERMERE (IRE), 12, 10-07, Jim Culloty IRE

34. CAPTAIN REDBEARD (IRE), 9, 10-07, Stuart Coltherd

35. HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR), 11, 10-07, Venetia Williams

36. BLESS THE WINGS (IRE), 13, 10-06, Gordon Elliott IRE

37. MILANSBAR (IRE), 11, 10-06, Neil King

38. FINAL NUDGE (IRE), 9, 10-06, David Dennis

39. DOUBLE ROSS (IRE), 12, 10-06, Nigel Twiston-Davies

40/ ROAD TO RICHES (IRE), 11, 10-05, Noel Meade IRE

Reserve 4 VINTAGE CLOUDS (IRE), 8, 10-04, Sue Smith

 

Nigel Twiston-Davies’s Blaklion is among the favourites once again. The nine-year-old was one of the front-runners in last year’s race but faded towards the end and finished fourth. He could have better luck this time, after winning the Becher Chase over the Grand National fences in December. He’s available t 12/1.

Vieux Lion Rouge also looks at tempting prospect at around 33/1, having finished seventh and sixth in the last two renewals. Trainer David Pipe will be hoping to go one better this time and has form, having won with Comply Or Die at Aintree a decade ago.

Davy Russell will be in confident mood though, with 12/1 shot Tiger Roll among the favourites. He’s already won over four miles at the Cheltenham Festival and should have enough to see the course through, which will please owner Michael O’Leary no end.

28/1 shot Gas Line Boy finished fifth last year and could be one to keep an eye out for, though the each-way value bet for Irish racing fans has to be Carlingford Lough at 50/1.  The John Kiely owned horse has enjoyed a career contesting the very best races and definitely looks well worth worth a punt.