Bob Ford and The Druids Nephew are getting a bit lively as the horses make their way to the finishing line. Shutthefrontdoor looks relaxed.

Andrew Thornton
Welsh and Scottish Grand National winner on BBC Radio 5 live

"All the owners just want a last glimpse of AP McCoy and Shutthefrontdoor. If that is what the owners are like, what will the public be like!"

AP McCoy looks intently around Aintree, almost as if he's consciously soaking in the sight before him as he prepares for retirement. He's aboard Shutthefrontdoor.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Aintree

Image source, Frank Keogh

"Grand National favourite Shutthefrontdoor."

BBC Radio 5 live

Anthony Coyne, co-owner of 40-1 shot Across the Bay, who led the National last year but finished 14th: "We just hope that if we can get that little bit of luck our fella can come home better than he did last time. Anything could happen."

The bell goes, meaning jockeys have to stop the pre-race chin-wagging and begin to board their mount. The nerves must be kicking in now. In the stands, it's hard to see daylight. Everyone is huddled together waiting to watch what could be the end of an era.

Local children sing the national anthem The sun is shining. The stage is set. Splendid.

Right. If you've not put your bet on now... you better hurry. The Grand National is about to start - possibly one of the few UK sporting events which sees entire families crowd round the TV. Almost set.

BBC Radio 5 live

Trainer Warren Greatrex on 66-1 shot Tranquil Sea: "Tranquil Sea I have kept fresh, he is a class animal. He is not going to be as good as he was but the National can spark riders up."

Mike Tindall, the co-owner of Monbeg Dude, offers some last-minute encouragement to his jockey Liam Treadwell. The horse looks nice and relaxed. It was highly fancied last year but is priced at 50-1 with some bookies today.

Image source, EPA

One of my favourite pieces of AP McCoy-related material is the article we've got on the BBC Sport website - listing the 10 favourite horses he ever rode. I won't spoil the surprise as to the contenders, but this little nugget made me smile: "He had a little bit of the Eric Cantona about him." Who was AP talking about? Find out here.

In-form trainer Willie Mullins is relying on 25-1 shot Ballycasey for the chance of a second Grand National victory at Aintree. Mullins withdrew his other two National entries - Prince De Beauchene and Boston Bob - last month.

It means stable jockey Ruby Walsh, the only current rider to have won the race twice, is on a 33-1 outsider.

"I am looking forward to running him," said Mullins of Ballycasey. "I think the spring ground will be better for him and his breeding suggests he will stay the trip."

Time for a quick picture before the big race. Hardly a word is muttered by the jockeys who seem to have rehearsed who sits where on the photo.

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AFP

Trainer Paul Nicholls, speaking about Rocky Creek: "You want to keep winning races, that is why we do it. You always look forward and hopefully we will hit the jackpot again. Aintree is magic, this year has been brilliant, everyone is enjoying themselves and the weather is good."

The colourful sight of the jockeys file out of the weighing room. They are led out by men in uniform.

Robert Atwell, part-owner of The Druids Nephew, admits there are a lot of nerves ahead of the big race. The eight-year-old is among the favourites in the 39-strong field.

"It is the classic case of looking relaxed and paddling like mad underneath," Atwell told BBC Wiltshire. "I read all the articles in the paper, the things on television, BBC radio come around and it really lets you know what you are letting yourself in for.

"We love the horses and the worry about having The Druids going round the Grand National is enormous."

Hampshire trainer Emma Lavelle says she "couldn't be happier" with her Grand National hope Court By Surprise.

The 10-year-old will be a first runner in the world-famous steeplechase for Lavelle, who is based near Andover.

Currently available around the 40-1 mark, Court By Surprise will be favoured by the drying conditions at Aintree and has not run since November, to avoid softer ground.

"He definitely likes nice ground," Lavelle told BBC South Today. "The good weather has been a big bonus for him. They do a fantastic job at Aintree of keeping the ground safe, so I imagine it'll be spot on for him."

Cornelius Lysaght
BBC horse racing correspondent at Aintree on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AFP

"The odds are no reflection on McCoy and Shutthefrontdoor. It is a reflection of Rocky Creek. He is one of four horses here trained by Paul Nicholls, he has got some really strong form. Rocky Creek ticks many, many boxes this afternoon, sop nothing against Shutthefrontdoor."

If you put a fiver on the nose of 100-1 shot Ely Brown today, and he wins, let us know where the party is at later. In all seriousness, though, his trainer Charlie Longsdon believes the bookies have overpriced his horse.

"When you look at the season we've had with him you can see why he's got such long odds," he told the Telegraph., external "But if you knew him like I do, if you knew what he can do, you'd price him much keener. To my mind, if he can show the sort of form he is capable of, he's a 33-1 shot, not 100-1. He's a lovely horse, Ely."

Ravi Shah:, external I will be backing Rocky creek and Soll.

Andy Baxter:, external Gone for Rocky Creek & Soll.

Rocky Creek is getting plenty of backing and is now joint 8-1 favourite alongside Shutthefrontdoor. AP McCoy might not even start as favourite...