Tom Scudamore and Thistlecrack are taking the opposition out of this race. They have been out in front since the get go and show no sign of letting up. A two-and-a-half-length lead with seven to jump.

And we are off and running.

Thistlecrack has taken up the early pace with Different Gravy a length and a half back in second.

The excellently-named Different Gravy has had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction on the way to the startline.

The stablehands come scampering to adjust the 5-1 shot's girth.

No stopping the action though.

As the rain hammers down, next up is the Liverpool Stayers' Hurdle.

The Colin Tizzard-trained Thistlecrack is another almost-unbackable favourite.

The World Hurdle winner is set to go off as 1-4 favourite.

Time to use the racecard as a make-shift umbrella.

It is fair piddling down at Aintree.

It is going to a slog out there for the big race. Mr Frisk's race record - which has stood since 1990 - will not be under threat.

Image source, Rex Features

Grand National Day is a sell-out at the track, with more than 70,000 racegoers.

Aintree has been welcoming big crowds throughout the three-day meeting.

Thursday saw a record opening-day attendance of 35,581, up 829 on the previous best for the day, 34,752, in 2015.

Ladies' Day on Friday had 47,084 racegoers, an increase of 2,006 on last year (45,078).

Former soap actresses Jorgie Porter and Roxanne Pallett are among those in the house today.

Trainer Gordon Elliott saddled Silver Birch to victory in 2007 and has Ucello Conti in this year's race.

"I probably appreciate it at the time but it would be great to do it again," he tells Channel 4 Racing.

"Back then, to have a runner was a thrill but I never thought I would win it. It was a dream come true. It was a very competitive race and even more so today."  

Image source, Getty Images

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Aintree

The Grand National comes with risks to horse and rider. This is the medical room where any injured jockeys are treated at Aintree.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

The most famous fence in the world?

Becher's Brook - the sixth and 22nd fence of the race - has been compared to "jumping off the edge of the world" by some jockeys.

It got its name in the National's first running.

Captain Martin Becher fell from his horse Conrad at the ditch - in red in the illustration above - and crawled into the brook to escape the rest of the field jumping on him. 

He is reported to have said he "never knew water tasted so foul without whisky in it".

You don't get post-race chat like that nowadays.

Image source, Getty Images

What's the issue? Nice suit, that...

You don't have long to wait but today's Grand National at Aintree simply wouldn't be the same without a sweepstake.

Whether you're at work in the office, at home with the family, or in the pub with your friends, give yourself the chance to win. 

You can download our sweepstake kit here.

Image source, Getty

After Shutthefrontdoor's initial spurt this morning, the top end of the market has steadied.

Silviniaco Conti has shorten to 16-1 though.

8-1 Many Clouds; 

10-1 Shutthefrontdoor;  

11-1 The Last Samuri; 

14-1 Holywell, 

16-1 The Druids Nephew, Saint Are, Silviniaco Conti, Gallant Oscar

Image source, Rex Features

Kai Rooney has his betting slip in hand, although I'm sure the stake was placed by a responsible adult.

Dad Wayne once joked that he wanted to name a pair of racehorses Hoof Hearted and Norfolk Enchants.

The Jockey Club have strict rules to prevent such sneaky sweary tomfoolery.

Douvan's jockey Paul Townend, who replaced the injured Ruby Walsh, was completing a short-price double.

"That was some experience. I was doing half speed and when I asked him for more, I've never felt a horse pick up so quickly," he told Channel 4 Racing.

"He has so much natural ability and for a big horse he is like a big friendly giant.

"It is unbelievable the power Willie Mullins has and I am so lucky to have the chance to step in."  

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Aintree

There are two female jockeys in the Grand National this year - Nina Carberry (Sir Des Champs) and sister-in-law Katie Walsh (Ballycasey) and they get to change and have a chat away from the blokes.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Last year Michelle Payne become the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup when she piloted home 101-1 rank outsider Prince of Penzance.

Could Katie Walsh achieve the same landmark at the Grand National?

She rode Seabass to third place in 2012 and this time around partners 66-1 shot Ballycasey for Willie Mullins.

Nina Carberry - stepping in for the injured Ruby Walsh on Sir Des Champs - are the only female jockeys in the race.

Everyone will be hoping that the Grand National field gets around the course safe and sound this afternoon.

Four horse have died so far at the meeting after Minella Reception had to be put down after sustaining injuries in yesterday's Topham Chase.

Gullinbursti had earlier been put down after falling in the same incident.

Clonbanan Lad and Marasonnien collapsed on Thursday after being pulled up in the the Fox Hunters' Chase.

Since modifications to the fences and other changes three years ago, there have been no fatalities in the Grand National itself. 

Image source, Getty

Pure silky class. Douvan was tugging at the leash and when jockey Paul Townend let him loose it was game over.

1. Douvan 1-6 (Paul Townend)

2. The Game Changer 9-1 (Bryan Cooper)

3. Fox Norton 14-1 (Noel Fehily)

5 ran

Douvan is moving up onto the shoulder of Alisier D'irlande with four to jump.

The Game Changer is a distant third. 

It looks like a straight slug-out for the win.