A huge roar as the small field swoops around the galactic grandstands, Esprit du Potier still at the front with four to go but it's a tight pack.

The sun is threatening to make an appearance at Aintree now. Josh the Boss leads from Esprit do Potier.

Eleven fences to clear in this race, with outsider Josh the Boss hitting the front early doors.

We're off!

Rachael Blackmore is riding in this one on Mahon's Way. As I mentioned it's only a small field.

A man in my profession knows his fair share about typos and apparently a runner in this one Bugise Seagull was meant to be called Bugsie's Seagull but an error took place.

Wooopss....

Image source, Getty Images

Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (13:55 BST)

William Hill Handicap Chase (14:30 BST)

JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (15:05 BST)

Randox Grand National Handicap Chase (16:00 BST)

My Pension Expert Maghull Novices' Chase (17:00 BST)

Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open (17:35 BST)

Trainer Gordon Elliott, who has seven horses in the Grand National and trains Brighterdaysahead in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Run Wild Fred is lame. He's one of the soundest horses I train but he's lame.

"The horses have been running very well all week, I couldn't be more happy. Delta Work and Coco Beach are probably the pick of them. Galvin is flying. If the ground was good, I would have really fancied Chemical Energy and Galvin. You never know."

Image source, Getty Images

This race was going to see the reappearance of Caldwell Potter, who became the most expensive National Hunt horse ever sold at public auction earlier this year.

But the horse, now trained by Paul Nicholls, has been ruled out with a foot infection.

In his absence, Brighterdaysahead, trained by Gordon Elliott, who previously trained Caldwell Potter, will be the favourite

But the Willie Mullins-trained pair of Jimmy Du Seuil and Ile Atlantique will bid to be involved in the shake-up.

Image source, Getty Images

To say it's heaving at Aintree is an understatement. A crowd of 70,000 is expected...

Trainer of Latenightpass Tom Ellis, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I walked the track this morning and I couldn't believe how much it's dried off. I was pretty nervous but it's a pleasant surprise this morning."

On first professional runner: "From the outside, it looks more remarkable than it is in reality. We've been runnning a yard over the last eight years. We're very used to having horses and getting them ready for big races. This is my first professional runner. It's nothing out of the ordinary to be honest."

On wife Gina Andrews being jockey: "All in all it's been business as usual for us. We have a great relationshp and a professional relationship. She rides horses every weekend. It's not just because she's my wife but she's a brilliant rider."

Gina Bryce
BBC Radio 5 Live at Aintree

The fact you've got Corach Rambler running in the Gold Cup and finishing third is huge. There's also a Gold Cup winner in the field in Minella Indo, he's a bit long in the tooth now but a horse like that could pop up.

Image source, Getty Images

Last year's winner Corach Rambler is among the leading contenders for the big race this afternoon.

Corach Rambler, bidding to become only the second horse after Tiger Roll to win back-to-back Nationals since Red Rum in the 1970s, is among the favourites at about 17-2 with bookmakers.

Scottish National winner Kitty's Light will bid to be the first Welsh-trained victor since Kirkland in 1905, for trainer Christian Williams, whose young daughter Betsy is being treated for leukaemia.

"Kitty's Light has brought us a bit of light in tough times. We're just privileged to have this special horse," said Williams.

There are only eight runners in this next race, and Josh the Boss is 80-1. Make of that what you may...

Trainer Lucinda Russell told BBC Radio 5 Live about the abuse she received following the death of her horse Giovinco after a fall on Friday: "It really shakes you. It's a horrible thing. I was on Facebook and someone said 'you killed that horse.' We didn't and for someone to say that is so unfair.

"The girl who was with him was in tears, it's ruined her life. I wouldn't say that to someone if they ran over their dog. These horses are part of our lives and losing them is horrendous."

Giovinco was put down after a fall at the final fence in the Mildmay Novices' Chase on Friday.

Frank Keogh
BBC Sport at Aintree

Trainer Dan Skelton will be hoping Gwennie May Boy's victory is a sign of things to come.

Skelton, the son of Olympic showjumping gold medallist Nick, saddles Galia Des Liteaux in the Grand National later.

His brother Harry takes the ride in the big one.

Image source, PA Media

Hill Sixteen suffered a fatal injury in the Grand National last year and two other horses died at the three-day meeting.

On Friday, two more horses died on the second day of this year's meeting. Giovinco - a stablemate of Corach Rambler - was put down after a fall at the final fence in the opening Mildmay Novices' Chase, while Pikar, trained by Dan Skelton, was fatally injured in a fall at the second-last in the Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle, the day's final race.

As well as reducing the line-up, organisers have brought the National forward by an hour and 15 minutes to reduce the build-up and provide safer ground for runners in case of drying conditions.

There will be a shorter run to the first fence to slow horses down.

A standing start has been reintroduced and further veterinary checks are among other changes.

A dominant win in the end for Gwennie May Boy. That was impressively done. Anyone start the day with a winner?

1 Gwennie May Boy (C J Todd) 9-2

2 Lord Snootie (Jack Tudor) 18-1

3 West Balboa (Harry Skelton) 11-4 Fav

4 Johnnywho (Jonjo O'Neill Jr.) 9-1

21 ran

Image source, Reuters

Gwennie May Boy turns on the gas and wins! Great ride from Charlie Todd.

Lord Snootie is second.