He's behind there somewhere...

Image source, AFP

If you're at Aintree today and feeling a little peckish, there's a treat in store for you. The course has teamed up with celebrity chef Simon Rimmer to set up 12 different 'street food' trailers.

Forget munching down on a cheeseburger.. it's all about Belgian waffles, Indian burgers on fresh flatbreads and sushi wraps at Liverpool's top racecourse this weekend.

Can anyone bring me a doggy bag back?

They say you never see a skint bookmaker. I wouldn't know about that, but you won't see a bookmaker at Aintree today with a better jacket than this effort from Guy Faber...

Image source, Getty Images

Malcolm Tomlinson, BBC Radio 5 live commentary team: "Godsmejudge is well handicapped on his best form and will get every yard of the trip."

Verdict: 1 Godsmejudge, 2. Rubi Light, 3. Rocky Creek, 4. Balthazar King.

Check out more tips here.

Image source, PA

AP McCoy's head must be spinning, considering the amount of media coverage which has come his way this week. Perhaps one of the most memorable tributes was the giant image of the champion jockey which was beamed on to Liverpool's Royal Liver Building on the eve of the Grand National meeting.

The projection on the landmark was accompanied by the words "the greatest jockey" and "the greatest race".

McCoy was also inducted into Aintree's Hall of Fame, alongside late trainer Toby Balding, on Thursday.

Not a bad start to any weekend.

All eyes will be on AP McCoy this afternoon, but no doubt the retiring legend will spare a brief moment of thought for colleagues Barry Geraghty and Davy Russell, who miss the big race because of injury.

Geraghty is recovering from a fractured leg - like colleague Jamie Moore - and Russell a broken arm. Jason Maguire is also missing for a second successive year because of a back injury. I've already mentioned the withdrawal of Robbie McNamara.

This jockeying lark is a tough gig, you know.

Image source, @Sport_Oliver

Channel 4 Racing's Oliver Brett on Twitter:, external The owner of the horse standing here at about 4.40 will have banked £561,300.

Ever been to the races? If so, you'll know it's the perfect excuse to wear your best clobber. And for the ladies, that means a hat to complement their outfit.

Which is where Liverpool milliner Rosie Olivia comes in. She was tasked with creating headwear for the Queen's granddaughter, Zara Phillips, at Cheltenham and she's been busy in the build-up to a big race meeting a little closer to home.

"At Aintree and Ascot events the hats you see are unbelievable," she told the Liverpool Echo., external "Everybody loves them because they get the opportunity to wear a hat and unless you're going to a wedding there's not that many other chances."

Nice. But does anybody admit to making hats for John McCririck?

Truffs Magee: Going for Shutthefrontdoor as AP McCoy was mum's favourite jockey, and I am going for Godsmejudge, it's anyone's race really so good luck everyone for today and most of all hope everyone completes the course.

Paul Coffield: A tenner on Alvarado. Wouldn't normally bet at all, let alone horse racing, but you can always make an exception on the National.

Christopher McClenaghan: Can't be an expert on the Grand National, anything can win it, just hope it's mine The Druids Nephew.

It's been a windy start to the day at Aintree...

Image source, EPA

John Hunt
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

Unioniste has limitless potential. Put in a tremendous run behind subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree at Newbury. A class act.

Verdict: 1. Unioniste, 2. Balthazar King, 3. Godsmejudge, 4. Alvarado.

Check out more tips here.

Image source, Getty Images

Having a dabble today? Thinking about backing the favourite? What if I told you only seven favourites have won the race since Red Rum's first victory 42 years ago. That's a 17% success rate.

As Jon Wilde points out on grandnationalpro.com,, external that's way below the average of around 33% for all horse races in a standard year. The last three winners were priced at 33-1, 66-1 and 25-1. Food for thought…

Trainer Donald McCain on Twitter:, external Grand national day today with 4 runners! #bringiton! Here's hoping that all the horses and jockeys come back safe and sound.

Trainer David Pipe on Twitter:, external The big day is here! Hoping for luck in running in the #GrandNational, but most of all, hoping all horses & jockeys come back safely.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Aintree

"Much of the talk in days leading to the Grand National has centred on the possibility of Shutthefrontdoor going off the lowest-priced favourite since Red Rum at 7-2 back in the 1970s.

"But AP McCoy's mount is now 8-1 in places (from 7s) with money coming for other horses, including the general 9-1 chance Rocky Creek.

"Soll, which has the inconvenience of being my selection, has shortened to 14-1 from 20-1.

"First Lieutenant trades at 16s as Nina Carberry bids to become the first female jockey to win in the 168th running of the famous race."

Of the newspapers I've seen today, this one from The Sun caught my eye more than most - especially when you consider that potential £50m pay-out:

Image source, The Sun

There are 30 fences in the grand old race, some of which are more famous than others. Fence six, Becher's Brook, is perhaps the most famous of them all because of its size and the drop on the other side of it. Meanwhile Fence eight, Canal Turn, is also one to look out for because of the sharp left-hand turn that immediately follows it.

The biggest fence is The Chair which begins with a 6ft ditch, stands 5ft 2in in height and is 3ft deep.

Image source, @Racing_UK

Racing UK on Twitter:, external Hard working staff @AintreeRaces put the finishing touches to the fences for the world's most famous race.

Cornelius Lysaght
BBC horse racing correspondent at Aintree

Balthazar King, last year's runner-up, jumps really well and has been trained for months with this race in mind; the stats give mixed messages about his chances, but what a story if jockey Richard Johnson, perennial championship runner-up to AP McCoy, stole the limelight on this of all occasions.

Verdict: 1. Balthazar King, 2. Soll, 3. Shutthefrontdoor, 4. Night In Milan.

Weights…what are they and how do they affect my horse? Well, unlike the Cheltenham Gold Cup where horses race off level weights, the Grand National is a handicap.

Horses are ranked according to their previous form, with the best given top weight. The handicapper's ultimate (although in practice unfeasible) aim is for the horses to pass the winning post in a dead heat.

The closest finish came in 2012 when Neptune Collonges denied Sunnyhillboy by the shortest possible distance - a nose. Lord Windermere, trained by Jim Culloty, is carrying the top weight today while Royale Knight has the lightest load.

Check out all the weights here.