Many Clouds, ridden by Leighton Aspell, wins
Back-to-back triumph for jockey Aspell
Third win for owner Trevor Hemmings
AP McCoy on Shutthefrontdoor comes fifth in last National
2nd) Saint Are 3rd) Monbeg Dude 4th Alvarado
There's a lot of love for Balthazar King today, who is being ridden by perennial bridesmaid Richard Johnson. Can RJ rip up the script on today of all days? Balthazar King will enjoy the good ground at Aintree and was impressive in finishing second in last year's showpiece. One to consider. Best odds? 11-1 and drifting.
Right, here is where my reputation gets shredded. I'm going for Donald McCain-trained Across the Bay to win. Henry Brooke is on board and the McCain family certainly know what it takes to win at Aintree. Red Rum etc. He's finished the last two Nationals, which I see as half the battle. He was 14th both times - only being checked by fallen horses.
Now's his time, folks. Now's his time. And he's aged 11...
If you, like me, have a look at stats as pointers towards the big race then you might know the last three race victors have been 11 years old. So that narrows down your options to five: Balthazar King, The Rainbow Hunter, Across the Bay, Wyck Hill and Chance Du Roy. You heard it here first. Mine's a pint.
Gary O'Brien, At The Races & BBC Radio 5 live: "Spring Heeled will have conditions in his favour, is a prominent racer and boasts top handicap form - all of which points to a big run from Jim Culloty's diminutive eight-year-old."
Verdict: 1. Spring Heeled, 2. Rocky Creek, 3. Balthazar King, 4. Royale Knight.
Image source, PAJudging by the roar of the crowd, there's a few punters on their way to collect their winnings on the back of 5-1 shot Whisper.
Image source, Getty Images1. Whisper (Nico de Boinville) 5-1
2. Cole Harden (G Sheehan) 2-1 Fav
3. Un Temps Pour Tout (T Scudamore) 15-2
Image source, PAYep, it's a second successive Stayers' Hurdle for Whisper. What a strong finish that was.
Image source, PACole Harden digging deep. Whisper's got this though.
Cole Harden and Whisper neck and neck. Zarkander drops out.
Here we go. Whisper is staking a claim, as is Zarkander.
Cole Harden is bossing this. Does he have the finish. Jetson is pulled up.
Jetson is having a stinker. Ruby Walsh won't be adding to that victory he had on Nichols Canyon earlier.
Six more to jump, and the crowd cheers as the field heads off for another circuit.
Cole Harden still in the lead, with Zarkander, with Sam Twiston-Davies on board, travelling well in third.
Imran Wood:, external I've gone for First Lieutenant and Oscar Time 25/1. Also Monbeg Dude 50/1 each way is worth a punt.
Jack Simpson:, external Got Royale Knight for 33/1 on Thursday - look how much he's come down!
Jamie McCourt:, external Night in Milan for the big one!
Cole Harden deposes Jetson in the lead, a steady pace being set at the moment as the field slowly fans out.
We're off in the Stayers' Hurdle, a Grade 1 race. Jetson moves into an early lead.
Glenn Mitchell: I'm having an each-way flutter on Court By Surprise. He's an improving horse and he's won up to 3m5. If he gets that half mile & gets round ok I feel he could be in the top four!
David Charlton: The Druids Nephew: The absence of a possessive apostrophe stops me backing this one.
We're almost set for the Silver Cross Stayers' Hurdle now. World Hurdle champ Cole Harden, with Gavin Sheehan on board, is the 9-4 favourite. Ruby Walsh's Jetson is a tasty-looking 14-1.