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Grand National festival

2022 Grand National: confirmed runners and riders for Saturday's big race

Snow Leopardess (left), Delta Work and Any Second Now: leading Grand National fancies
Snow Leopardess (left), Delta Work and Any Second Now: leading Grand National fancies

Minella Times and Rachael Blackmore head the field for the 2022 Randox Grand National after the final 40 were confirmed for Saturday's big race at Aintree.

Three horses were declared non-runners on Friday, meaning reserves Commodore, School Boy Hours and Romain De Senam made the final field ahead of the 1pm cut-off point.

Commodore, a wide-margin winner at Cheltenham when last seen in December, replaces Phoenix Way, who was taken out due to a temperature. He is the sole runner for Venetia Williams, who trained 100-1 shot Mon Mone to win the National in 2009.


2022 Grand National at Aintree: the runners, the odds, the verdict


Easysland, a former Cheltenham Festival winner and number three on the list, was replaced by another JP McManus-owned runner in School Boy Hours. The Noel Meade-trained runner has been subject to a fair bit of support since the news broke, and he is now a general 25-1 shot (from 33).

The David Pipe-trained Romain De Senam could go off the biggest outsider at odds of 150-1 as he will be number 40 on the list, having replaced Lord Du Mesnil. Pipe is known for having National fences at his base in Somerset and he is another former winning trainer of the race, having saddled 2008 hero Comply Or Die.

The three added in will take the numbers of the horses they replace – School Boy Hours (3), Romain De Senam (10) and Commodore (33).

Romain De Senam's jockey Philip Armson will be one of seven jockeys set to have their first ride in the National with Enjoy D'Allen's rider Conor Orr appearing the most likely to make a winning debut, according to the betting.

Tommy Dowson (Top Ville Ben), Ricky Doyle (Freewheelin Dylan), Jordan Gainford (Death Duty), Harry Bannister (Domaine De L'Isle) and Hugh Nugent (Fortescue) are to experience the iconic handicap for the first time on Saturday. Three debutants have won the National in the last decade, however.

Four horses were taken out of the race in the declaration stage on Thursday meaning Eclair Surf – one of the leading fancies in the race at 14-1 – and Fortescue got to run. Death Duty and Domaine De L'Isle were also confirmed runners. Battleoverdoynen, Court Maid, Caribean Boy and Farclas were withdrawn at this stage.

Impressive Classic Chase winner Eclair Surf was shortened to 12-1 (from 14) with most firms after his place in the line up was secured. The form of his Eider second to Win My Wings was given a significant boost last weekend when that rival followed up in the Scottish National.

Snow Leopardess remains the 7-1 favourite for the Grand National and will bid to become first mare to win the race since 1951. She is number 31 on the list, with Aidan Coleman's mount set to carry 10st 9lb.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 10: Rachael Blackmore celebrates after riding Minella Times to win The Randox Grand National Handicap Chase at Aintree Racecourse on April 10, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting venues around the UK remain under restrictions d
Rachael Blackmore celebrates her famous 2021 Grand National victory on Minella TimesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Minella Times, meanwhile, will attempt to emulate the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll by repeating last year's success.

That victory meant Rachael Blackmore became the first female to ride the Grand National winner and last month she also became the first to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. She will look to be only the second in 40 years to win both races in the same season – Jim Culloty had the honour in 2002.

Gordon Elliott is responsible for seven of the runners, including the well-supported Delta Work, who comes here having won at last month's Cheltenham Festival. Escaria Ten and Run Wild Fred are also fancied.


Pinstickers' guide: quotes and ratings for every horse in the National


Colin Tizzard, who retires at the end of the season, confirmed Lostintranslation and Fiddlerontheroof would run, while Willie Mullins has four in the race with stable jockey Paul Townend booked to ride Burrows Saint.

Mark Walsh and Any Second Now were an unlucky third behind Minella Times 12 months ago and return to Aintree again. Blaklion will be having his fourth run in the National and will be the oldest runner in the race at the age of 13.

There will be 21 Irish-trained runners, to Britain's 19 in the final line up. One For Arthur was the last horse to land the National for the hosts in 2017 and Eclair Surf has followed the same route by winning at Warwick in January.


Racing Post tipsters predict the first four home in the Grand National


Randox Grand National runners and riders

1 Minella TimesRachael Blackmore
2 Delta WorkJack Kennedy
3 School Boy Hours Sean Flanagan
4 Any Second NowMark Walsh
5 Run Wild FredDavy Russell
6 LostintranslationHarry Cobden
7 Brahma Bull Brian Hayes
8 Burrows Saint Paul Townend
9 Mount IdaDenis O'Regan
10 Longhouse Poet Darragh O'Keeffe
11 FiddlerontheroofBrendan Powell
12 Two For GoldDavid Bass
13 Santini Nick Scholfield
14 SamcroSean Bowen
15 Escaria TenAdrian Heskin
16 Good Boy BobbyDaryl Jacob
17 Romain De Senam Philip Armson
18 Coko BeachJonjo O'Neill Jnr
19 De Rasher Counter Adam Wedge
20 KildisartJames Bowen
21 Discorama Bryan Cooper
22 Top Ville Ben Tommy Dowson
23 Enjoy D'AllenConor Orr
24 Anibale Fly Luke Dempsey
25 Dingo DollarRyan Mania
26 Freewheelin Dylan Ricky Doyle
27 Class ContiSam Twiston-Davies
28 Noble Yeats Sam Waley-Cohen
29 Mighty ThunderDerek Fox
30 Cloth Cap Tom Scudamore
31 Snow LeopardessAidan Coleman
32 Agusta Gold Danny Mullins
33 Commodore Charlie Deutsch
34 Deise AbaTom O'Brien
35 BlaklionHarry Skelton
36 Poker Party Robbie Power
37 Death Duty Jordan Gainford
38 Domaine De L'Isle Harry Bannister
39 Eclair Surf Tom Bellamy
40Fortescue Hugh Nugent


5.15 Aintree Saturday: Randox Grand National racecard and betting


2022 Grand National festival offers

  • Join Paddy Power and back one horse and get another one free – plus they are paying six places on the Grand National. Sign up here.
  • Sky Bet are paying an industry-leading seven places on the Grand National. Anyone with an account can claim these, but sign up here if you don't have an account.
  • New Betfair customers can get a free bet when they sign up and also get six places on the Grand National. Sign up for a new account here.
  • Ladbrokes are going six places on the Grand National. Sign up for a new account here.
  • Coral are paying six places on the Grand National. Not got an account? Sign up here to benefit from the extra places here.
  • bet365 have a new customer offer available when you sign up to a new account. You can also claim six places on the Grand National. Get started here.
  • New William Hill customers can claim a free bet for Sunday if they bet on Saturday and also get six places on the Grand National here.
  • 888 Sport have free bets for all new customers. Sign up here. New and existing customers can get six places on the Grand National.
  • If you're a new customer, Tote will give you a free bet. Sign up here to claim and bet on the Grand National.

How to bet through the Racing Post

Step 1

Log in to your existing betting accounts with seven bookmakers via the 'Bookmakers' tab at the top of your screen.

Step 2

Tap the odds button on any racecard, or associated news and tipping content, to add the horse to your betslip.

Step 3

Enter your stake and tap place bet.

Step 4

Watch the race live on our site. Click 'Watch now' on the racecard a few minutes before the race starts.

Or you can bet via the free Racing Post app . . .


If you want more on the 2022 Grand National . . .

Can star jockey Rachael Blackmore repeat last year's Aintree heroics?

Who will win the 2022 Grand National based on previous trends?

Big-race tips: why this horse can win the Grand National at Aintree

National steamers: five horses who could shorten before the big race

2022 Grand National: everything you need to run a sweepstake on the big race


Place a £10 bet with Paddy Power and get a £10 free bet to use. New customer offer. Place a €10 Sportsbook bet, minimum odds 1.5 (1/2), and get €10 in sports free bets. Only deposits made using cards and Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. Free bets will be awarded after the qualifying bet has been settled and are valid for 30 days. T&Cs apply. Sign up here.


West Country correspondent

Published on inGrand National festival

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