God's Own is the 2-1 favourite in this six-horse race. Art Mauresque is setting the early pace.

We're under way in our second race of the day: the Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase.

So can a female win the Grand National? Of course. Just ask Katie Walsh, who doesn't have a ride today but finished third on Seabass in 2012.

"Trying to get the right combination of everything - it's like baking a cake, isn't it?" Walsh said to BBC Sport's Frank Keogh.

"You need to have the horse, and if you don't have the horse you are not going to win the National. But the female's ability isn't the problem. It's to get the horse, and the association for it to happen."

Image source, PA

While much of the focus is on McCoy today, there is plenty of other interest in the marathon contest.

Sharing in the spotlight is Nina Carberry, who will bid to become the first female jockey to triumph in the 168th running of the race.

The 30-year-old rides 20-1 chance First Lieutenant for Irish trainer Mouse Morris two days after she won the Foxhunters' Chase over the National fences with On The Fringe.

Unfortunately, I bring to you the sort of news we all hate to hear. Seedling has died following a fall in the opening race of the day. Terribly sad news.

Champion jockey AP McCoy, speaking on Channel 4: "I always lived in the fear of carrying on too long and not being as good as I once was. I'm not looking forward to retirement, I'm going to miss the horses, the thrill of winning, everything about it.

"I've been lucky to work with great people, with Jonjo O'Neill and JP McManus I've had a lot of enjoyment in the saddle. I'll be forever indebted to those two men for helping me achieve my dreams.

"It's the best race in the world for the unpredictable reason that no-one knows what's going to happen. You need a lot of luck to win the Grand National. Anything is possible."

Image source, Getty Images

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Aintree

"A big crowd gathered to see 19-time champion jockey AP McCoy unveil a new name for the racecourse's old weighing room bar - McCoy's, in his honour.

"Even in retirement you won't find the Northern Irishman getting tipsy, however. He is teetotal."

Of course, AP McCoy has been in good form already in this meeting. He says he will retire if he wins the Grand National for a second time today, and he can fall back on victories on feature races in each of the last two days.

He was aboard 3-1 shot Jezki in the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle on Thursday and the similar-priced Don Cossack in the Betfred Melling Chase on Ladies' Day. The second of those victories was by 26 lengths. Not a bad warm-up.

Aintree has gone mad for AP McCoy this afternoon, and there's plenty of merchandise knocking about bearing the 19-time champion jockey's famous green and yellow colours.

Image source, AFP

Chris Cook, The Guardian: "The Druids Nephew looks very well weighted after his storming Cheltenham Festival success and has been enormously improved by his talented young trainer, Neil Mulholland."

Verdict: 1. The Druids Nephew, 2. Soll, 3. Saint Are, 4. Royale Knight.

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There's dozens of famous tales about the Grand National. One of the best concerns 1904 winner Moiffa, who seemingly rose from the dead to win! He disappeared a year before the race and it was assumed he drowned on the sunken ship which transported him from New Zealand to Liverpool. Nope, not Moiffa. He was found in Ireland a while later and the rest is history. That was one to tell the grandfoals.

Image source, Getty Images

Here's our first celeb spot of the day - racing legend Bob Champion who won the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti.

Image source, Reuters

Any early winners? Ruby Walsh informs television viewers that the owner of Nichols Canyon is out in Augusta caddying for Lee Westwood at the Masters. Canyon is trained by Willie Mullins, who looks chuffed to get his first winner of the day.

1. Nichols Canyon (R Walsh) 3-1 Fav

2. Parlour Games (A P McCoy) 4-1

3. Three Musketeers (Harry Skelton) 7-1

Image source, Getty Images

Strike one to Ruby Walsh on the opening race of National Day - riding Nichols Canyon to victory ahead of AP McCoy's Parlour Games who just didn't have the kick at the end.

Andrew Priestley:, external Won the office sweep last year with Pineau De Re, this year I've drawn Druids Nephew and Saint Are. Will lightning strike twice?

Martin Jones:, external Come on Oscar Time. Warrior horse that deserves a fitting end to his Grand National exploits!

Who are you backing? Let us know on Twitter at #bbcracing, by text on 81111, or via the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Image source, PA

We're just about getting ready for our first race of the day from Aintree - the Just Eat Mersey Novice Hurdle. There's 14 runners, with AP McCoy on Parlour Games. No falls, AP..

What a weekend of sport we've got ahead of us. It's one of those days where you don't know what to watch, all you do know is that you're camping in front of your television... and the BBC Sport website!

There's the Grand National, Masters, the first ever Women's Boat Race, oodles of football - including the Manchester derby, Formula One, county cricket. I'm sure I've missed something?

Ah yes... the big wedding.

Image source, @petercrouch

Stoke City and ex-Tottenham striker Peter Crouch on Twitter:, external One night in Milan for the National.

Night in Milan, ridden by James Reveley, is a 25-1 shot.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Aintree

"My hunch is the winner will come from the lowest-weighted horses as per the last two runnings. I'm a Soll man, but feel there are plenty with chances down the bottom including Royale Knight. Rocky Creek and Balthazar King are class horses, while I wouldn't want to jinx the fairytale farewell by plumping for Shutthefrontdoor."

Verdict: 1 Soll, 2 Royale Knight, 3 Balthazar King, 4 Rocky Creek, 5 Spring Heeled.

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