Grand National: The runners and riders as the world’s most famous race returns

The Grand National returns with Minella Times vying to repeat the feat of Tiger Roll and win the race for a second year running.

The likes of Snow Leopardess and Delta Work are favoured to spoil the Blackmore party.  

Forty runners will compete in the four-and-a-quarter mile handicap chase to cement their place in British horse racing folklore. 

Sportsmail runs you through all of the runners and riders and their chances in the world’s most famous race.     

Rachael Blackmore is out to achieve the rare feat of consecutive Grand National victories

1 Minella Times, Rachael Blackmore: Last year’s winner returns to defend his crown but two starts this term have been less than inspiring. Has plenty more on his plate this time off revised mark. ✶✶ 10-1   

2 Delta Work, Jack Kennedy:  Multiple Grade One winner who reignited his career by ruining Tiger Roll’s swansong at Cheltenham. Not always the cleanest jumper so needs to bring A game here. ✶✶✶✶ 9-1 

3 School Boy Hours, Sean Flanagan: Failed Cheltenham Festival exam but was still in touch when stumbling. Interesting contender on evidence of Leopardstown Festival win. ✶ 20-1 

4 Any Second Now, Mark Walsh: Unfortunate last year when hampered at a crucial stage and this year’s preparation has gone swimmingly. Looks to be peaking at the right time. ✶✶✶✶ 8-1 

Snow Leopardess is fancied by the bookies and will begin the race as favourite

5 Run Wild Fred, Davy Russell: Boasts plenty of form in staying handicaps with big fields so may find this more suitable than latest Cheltenham test. Races handily and jumps well. Each-way appeal. ✶✶✶✶ 14-1  

6 Lostintranslation, Harry Cobden: Finished third in the Gold Cup two years ago but found success harder to come by since. Suited by a flat track and may outrun his odds if taking to this test. ✶✶ 50-1 

7 Brahma Bull, Brian Hayes: Following an encouraging start to the season, jumping has not been his strong point of late and two non-completions leave him facing a huge task. ✶ 66-1 

8 Burrows Saint, Paul Townend: Winner of the 2019 Irish National looked to be delivering a huge challenge in last year’s renewal until the petrol ran out late on. Still boasts an each-way shout. ✶✶✶ 22-1 

9 Mount Ida, Denis O’Reagan: Spoiled her chance at Cheltenham by jumping to her right throughout and can’t afford the same trait in this company. Should stay if she gets round. ✶✶ 25-1 

10 Longhouse Poet, Darragh O’Keeffe: Boasts the ideal profile and latest warm-up effort over hurdles should be forgiven. Had previously won the Thyestes Chase and should enjoy this test. ✶✶✶✶ 16-1 

11 Fiddler On The Roof, Brendan Powell: Would need to jump better than at Ascot last time but had previously run a blinder in the Ladbrokes Trophy so was entitled to be rusty. Lively outsider. ✶✶✶✶ 16-1 

12 Two For Gold, David Bass: Quirky chaser who is difficult to pass when in the mood. Is often taken to the start early as can boil over and didn’t seem to love these fences in last year’s Topham. ✶✶ 40-1 

13 Santini, Nick Schofield: Well handicapped on best efforts and finally gets chance to tackle a marathon trip which should suit a relentless galloper. No surprise to see him outrun his odds. ✶✶✶ 33-1 

14 Samcro, Sean Bowen: Mercurial chaser whose career has been derailed by injury and setbacks. Fire still burns, judging by latest Down Royal display, but much more required here. ✶ 66-1 

15 Escaria Ten, Adrian Heskin: Chased home Galvin in last season’s National Hunt Chase and looks the type for a marathon trip. Shaped well at Fairyhouse latest and looks a major player. ✶✶✶✶ 11-1 

16 Good Boy Bobby, Daryl Jacob: Enjoying a successful season and better than showing at Kempton last time when patiently ridden. Should give a bold sight up front but others preferred at this level. ✶✶ 16-1 

2021’s winner Minella Times (left) gallops before Saturday’s attempt at history

17 Romain De Senam, Phillip Armson: No-show in the Midlands National when a huge price and serious stamina concerns to address, given he is yet to win beyond three miles in a 41-race career. ✶ 80-1 

18 Coko Beach, Jonjo O’Neill: Creditable effort at Punchestown last month was not disgraced in Thyestes Chase but balance of evidence suggests this marathon trip is beyond him. ✶✶ 66-1 

19 De Rasher Counter, Adam Wedge: Boasts some back class, courtesy of his victory in 2019 Ladbrokes Trophy. Entitled to need his latest start at Newbury so boasts place claims at the very least. ✶✶ 40-1 

20 Kildistart, James Bowen: Has shaped as though marathon trips may induce improvement and caught the eye in Newbury comeback over an inadequate trip so respected at a tidy price. ✶✶✶ 40-1 

Delta Work in the parade ring after winning the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham on day two

21 Discorama, Bryan Cooper: Made a pleasing return to action at Fairyhouse last time and arguably deserves a day in the spotlight after being placed three times at the Cheltenham Festival. ✶✶✶ 40-1 

22 Top Ville Ben, Thomas Dowson: Memories of this test may not be positive following his December fall in the Becher Chase and chance will rely on establishing an early rhythm. Others preferred. ✶ 66-1 

23 Enjoy D’Allen, Conor Orr: Sound jumping stayer who has placed efforts in Paddy Power Chase and Irish National on c.v. Appears to have major claims with conditions to suit. ✶✶✶✶ 12-1

24 Anibale Fly, Luke Dempsey: Twice reached the frame in Gold Cups and was 4th and 5th in the Nationals won by Tiger Roll. However, he couldn’t win then, so why now at 12? ✶ 40-1 

25 Dingo Dollar, Ryan Mania: Collared close home in last year’s Scottish National and whole season geared around landing this event. Partnered by the 2013 winning rider. ✶✶ 66-1 

26 Freewheelin Dylan, Ricky Doyle: Sprung a huge shock at 150-1 to win last year’s Irish National and, although he has failed to replicate those efforts since, this test will be more suitable. ✶✶✶ 33-1 

Jockey Jack Kennedy who will ride Delta Work interviewed after his Cheltenham success

27 Class Conti, Sam Twiston-Davies: Possesses useful back form but that is beginning to gather dust and his trait of getting behind in races isn’t going to help. Hard to envisage a revival. ✶ 80-1 

28 Noble Years, Sam Waley-Cohen: Form behind Ahoy Senior has taken a couple of significant boosts and wasn’t disgraced at Cheltenham in truly-run handicap. Can hit frame. ✶✶ 33-1

29 Mighty Thunder, Derek Fox: Had breathing issues last time out but form last spring when winning Scottish National and being placed in Midlands equivalent makes him interesting. ✶✶ 40-1 

30 Cloth Cap, Tom Scudamore: Favourite for this event last year but breathing problem halted his progress. Patchy record since, but is a bold, front-running chaser at his best and could surprise. ✶✶✶ 25-1 

31 Snow Leopardess, Aiden Coleman: Bids to become first mare in 71 years to land race and passed her Becher Chase audition, courtesy of a display of trademark bravery in December. Strong chance. ✶✶✶✶ 7-1 fav 

32 Agusta Gold, Danny Mullins: Latest efforts far from compelling even if there were signs of a revival at Down Royal last month. Victory would be one of the biggest shocks of recent times. ✶ 66-1 

33 Commodore, Charlie Deutsch: Bold jumping, front-running chaser who routed a decent field at Cheltenham before Christmas. Should give a bold sight at the head of affairs. ✶ 25-1 

34 Deise Aba, Tom O’Brien: Sandown specialist who saved best efforts this term for that venue when twice a narrow loser. Ran well over hurdles here in November but more needed. ✶ 80-1 

35 Blaklion, Harry Skelton: Led home British challenge last year when sixth and continued to run to a high level at Haydock in staying events. Hard to see a 13-year-old winning this, though. ✶✶ 40-1 

36 Poker Party, Robbie Power: Didn’t seem to enjoy Cheltenham Cross-Country challenge and mistakes have characterized recent displays. Tough to fancy in this grade despite trainer record. ✶ 80-1 

37 Death Duty, Jordan Gainford: Recapturing best form, notably in the Irish trial at Punchestown, before another sound effort in a Cheltenham handicap. Could be a danger at foot of the handicap. ✶✶✶ 40-1 

38 Domaine De L’Isle, Harry Bannister: Jumped poorly in Becher Chase here in December but stuck to his task manfully to take fourth. Can’t afford a similar round of jumping at this level, though. ✶ 100-1 

39 Eclair Surf, Tom Bellamy: Has enjoyed tackling marathon trips, winning at Warwick before finishing runner-up to last Saturday’s impressive Scottish National winner. Looks a player. ✶✶✶✶ 14-1 

40 Fortescue, Hugh Nugent: Looks ready for a test like this, judged on his strong-staying performance at Ascot last time. Still appeals as well handicapped and respected. ✶ 40-1