Grand National 2013: Experts verdict on who will win

Racing reporters, correspondents and experts give their verdicts on who will win the Grand National at Aintree.

Bob Champion, 1981 National-winning jockey on Aldaniti

1. Rare Bob 2. Cappa Bleu 3. On His Own 4. Imperial Commander

"Rare Bob has been carrying lots of weight really well and his rider Bryan Cooper will be champion jockey in Ireland or England one day. The trainer's horses are flying."

Gary O'Brien, BBC Radio 5 live commentator and At The Races presenter

1. Chicago Grey 2. On His Own 3. Cappa Bleu 4. Colbert Station

"Chicago Grey looks extremely well handicapped after his win in a Grade Two race at Navan and if he enjoys better luck than last year, should be there or thereabouts. Stable is in brilliant form."

Cornelius Lysaght, BBC racing correspondent

1. Imperial Commander 2. Cappa Bleu 3. Seabass 4. Big Fella Thanks

"Younger legs might well have found out the veteran Imperial Commander if he had run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but his experience, quality and sure-jumping are ideal for Aintree, and will help to cancel out the weight burden."

John Hunt, BBC Radio 5 live commentator

1. Imperial Commander 2. Seabass 3. Quiscover Fontaine 4. Swing Bill

"I can visualise Imperial Commander jumping well and he has more than enough quality to be right there at the finish."

Frank Keogh, BBC Sport racing reporter

1. Imperial Commander 2. Cappa Bleu 3. Teaforthree 4. Always Waining

"The BBC are going to look very shrewd or very foolish as we all seem to be with Imperial Commander. He's the class horse in the race. Hoping for a safe race and a great story behind the winner."

Chris Cook, Guardian racing reporter

1. Colbert Station 2. Sunnyhillboy 3. Tarquinius 4. Lost Glory

"The owner J P McManus has a terrific hand this year and his jockey, Tony McCoy, had a hard choice to make, but Colbert Station has tremendous potential to be better than we've seen so far and looks the right type for this test."

George Primarolo, former Tote bookmaker PR chief

1. Ballabriggs 2. Joncol 3. Sunnyhillboy 4. Seabass

"Ballabriggs is no back number and he is back to the same mark he was when winning two years ago for trainer Donald McCain. Joncol could surprise at a big price."

Kevin Blake, Irish Field tipster

1. Chicago Grey 2. On His Own 3. Seabass 4. Cappa Bleu

"Chicago Grey has a nice profile and a mid-season wind operation looks to have helped him. Good luck to everyone having a wager."

Kim Bailey, trainer of 2013 runner The Rainbow Hunter, and 1990 winner Mr Frisk

1. Seabass 2. Sunnyhillboy 3. On His Own 4. Big Fella Thanks

"Wouldn't it be a great story for racing if Katie Walsh could be the first female jockey to win the Grand National on Seabass? Last year's runner-up Sunnyhillboy could go close again."

Niall Cronin, Evening Herald racing correspondent, Dublin

1. Seabass 2. Colbert Station 3. Balthazar King 4. Chicago Grey

"I'm going for a 1-2 for Ted Walsh, who I consider to be one of the very top trainers, with his daughter Katie on Seabass edging out champion jockey AP McCoy."

Sam Turner, Daily Mail tipster (Robin Goodfellow)

1. Cappa Bleu 2. Seabass 3. On His Own 4. Always Waining

"Wales are enjoying a golden sporting year and it can be capped by Cappa Bleu, who bids to become only the second Welsh-trained winner. The last was in 1905."

Lee Mottershead, Racing Post journalist

1. Seabass 2. Balthazar King 3. Colbert Station 4. Roberto Goldback

"I'm predicting a fairytale and historic result with Seabass winning under Katie Walsh. The horse seemed to revel in the Aintree experience 12 months ago and, if ridden slightly more patiently, is well capable of going two places better."

Declan O'Donoghue, Irish Sun reporter

1. Chicago Grey 2. Cappa Bleu 3. Seabass 4. Roberto Goldback

"Chicago Grey has a handy weight and the guidance of highly-rated trainer Gordon Elliott. Roberto Goldback looks capable of sneaking a place."

Rishi Persad, Channel 4 reporter

1. Imperial Commander 2. Cappa Bleu 3. On His Own 4. Always Waining

"Quite simply Imperial Commander is the best-handicapped horse in the race by a country mile and the trainer's two previous winners were ridden by substitute jockeys. Sam Twiston-Davies replaces the suspended Paddy Brennan."

Graham Cunningham Channel 4 and Racing UK pundit

1. Seabass 2. Balthazar King 3. Soll 4. On His Own

"Seabass was heroic in defeat when third last year and is potentially well handicapped despite carrying 5lb extra this time."

Ian Bartlett Channel 4 commentator

1. Roberto Goldback 2. Chicago Grey 3. Treacle 4. Teaforthree

"Roberto Goldback was brought over from Ireland to the yard of Nicky Henderson to be specifically trained for the National and can give the trainer his first victory in the race."

Jonathan Neesom Racing UK pundit

1. Teaforthree 2. Balthazar King 3. Auroras Encore 4. Cappa Bleu

"A good stayer, Teaforthree should have no problem with the ground and like a few previous winners, is trying the race for the first time."

Paul Jacobs CNN tipster

1. On His Own 2. Teaforthree 3. Soll 4. Cappa Bleu

"I think On His Own should have won last year but fell late on. With Ruby Walsh on board, and the highly-respected trainer Willie Mullins, he will win. He looks unbelievably well weighted."

Steve Jones The Sun (Templegate)

1. Seabass 2. Cappa Bleu 3. Harry The Viking 4. Ballabriggs

"Seabass was third last year, looks to have the stamina for this demanding test, jumps well and appears to have been trained specifically for today."

David Yates Daily Mirror (Newsboy)

1. Imperial Commander 2. Rare Bob 3. Seabass 4. Balthazar King

"Well handicapped - compared to his rivals - despite top weight, Imperial Commander is a safe jumper and should stay the trip for jockey Sam Twiston-Davies."

Bill Esdaile City AM racing editor

1. Chicago Grey 2. Cappa Bleu 3. Balthazar King 4. Teaforthree

"Chicago Grey looks dangerously well handicapped. He stays the trip and the Gordon Elliott stable is in sparkling form. His jumping is the only slight worry."