Runner-by-runner guide: trainer quotes and ratings for the Grand National

Aintree will on Saturday play host to the 2021 Randox Grand National, the world-famous jumps race involving 40 runners and riders. But who will come out on top on Merseyside? Read our runner-by-runner guide, featuring top trainer quotes and star ratings, ahead of the big race live on ITV at 5.15pm.

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1 Bristol De Mai ***

Three-time Betfair Chase winner, has top-class form but carries top weight as a consequence. Missed the Cheltenham Gold Cup to wait for this.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "He is our main one and he's the class horse in the race. He's the topweight and hopefully he'll jump and stay, so let's hope he wins."

2 Chris's Dream **

Down Royal Grade 1 second in October but failed to fire since. Pulled up at Cheltenham and needs to step up considerably.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead said: "We're hoping the longer trip and the National fences might spark him into life."

3 Yala Enki ***

Fell at the first only previous outing on National course but a thorough stayer who has been third in the last two Welsh Grand Nationals.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: "Yala Enki is a really good solid stayer who is overpriced compared to the horses he ran close to in the Welsh National."

4 Ballyoptic **

Has twice fallen over these fences and has plenty of weight for an 11-year-old but retains ability.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "Ballyoptic was going really well when he fell at the fourth-last fence two years ago. He seems to be in great form now and he is a great price at 100-1."

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5 Definitly Red **

Pulled up with a slipped saddle after being badly hampered in the 2017 National. Big fancy last year but has failed to find his best form this season.

Trainer Brian Ellison said: "He's finished fourth in a Becher and jumped brilliant; it's not the fences that are a problem, just keeping out of trouble in the National."

6 Lake View Lad **

Has plenty to find with Cloth Cap from their meeting at Kelso but has had a wind operation and won the Many Clouds Chase here in December. Pulled up in this in 2019.

Trainer Nick Alexander said: "He's in top form. But he needs rain to fall to have serious expectation that he'll get involved, he needs to slow them down."

7 Burrows Saint *****

Showed he is made of the right stuff when winning the Irish Grand National in 2019. Trained for this race and will come on plenty for his prep run at Fairyhouse.

Rider Patrick Mullins said: "He ticks a lot of the boxes, he's the right age. He has the right kind of weight and he's progressive."

8 Magic Of Light ***

Proven over course and distance but 5lb higher in the handicap than when second to Tiger Roll in 2019. Will be well suited by this step back up in trip.

Trainer Jessica Harrington said: "She looks as good as ever this season and I've been thrilled with how her preparation has gone."

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9 Acapella Bourgeois ***

Showed himself as good as ever when winning a second Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse and gave Burrows Saint 6lb when third in the 2019 Irish Grand National.

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: "He beat Burrows Saint in the Bobbyjo. He's probably a bit more exposed but he's in great form and he has a racing weight."

10 Talkischeap **

Ran away with the Bet365 Gold Cup in 2019 and has had limited opportunities since. Difficult to know how good he is nowadays.

Trainer Alan King said: "He's done a lot of work since his last run at Kempton and he should get his ground."

11 Tout Est Permis *

Useful three mile chaser but well beaten in the 2019 Irish Grand National on his only try at extreme distances and below form of late.

Trainer Noel Meade said: "We've tried to whole lot of different things lately, he's been to the beach and he's been jumping all sorts of things. He seems in great form."

12 Anibale Fly **

Stayed on without threatening the winner when fourth in 2018 and fifth the following year. Ran as though very much in need of the race on his return from nearly a year off in February and much better treated at the weights on his third visit to Aintree.

Frank Berry, racing manager for JP McManus, owner of Anibale Fly, said: "He’s had a bit of a stop start year and things haven’t been plain sailing with him. We would have liked to have got another run into him. Having said all that, Tony is happy with him and he has run well in the race twice before so hopefully he can do so again."

13 Mister Malarky ***

From family of 1994 runner-up Just So and should be suited by this test. Won well at Ascot and showed the benefit of a wind operation when third at Kempton.

Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard said: "If he gets into a rhythm and takes to it he'll have a chance. He schooled nicely over the fences and he should stay."

14 Kimberlite Candy ****

Twice runner-up in the Becher Chase over these fences and long aimed at this race. Goes well fresh and should be in perfect shape after a break since December.

Trainer Tom Lacey said: "There are no fears regarding jumping the fences. The biggest worry will be whether he can cope with the tempo of the race early on."

15 Any Second Now ****

Strong-staying victory in the 2019 Kim Muir at Cheltenham suggested he was the right sort for this and trainer Ted Walsh won with Papillon. Form is in and out but won in a small field over just 2m last time.

Trainer Ted Walsh said: "He's fine and I'm just hoping he can get a nice clear passage and run his race."

16 Balko Des Flos *

Winless since the 2018 Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. Has run more modest races than good ones of late and is not sure to stay the trip either.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead said: "He's a very, very talented horse on his day."

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17 Alpha Des Obeaux **

Staying-on third in the 2019 Becher Chase would make him of serious interest but has not matched that form since. However, he has tumbled in the handicap and shaped a little better in the cross-country chase at Cheltenham.

Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O'Leary said: "He has run well over the Aintree fences and he ran well in the cross-county."

18 Ok Corral *

Looked a National candidate when winning Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in 2020 but then off the track for 416 days and showed little on his return.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "He's been aimed at it the whole time, he's not had an ideal preparation but he's very well and he's ready now."

19 Takingrisks ****

This year's Sky Bet Chase winner took the Scottish Grand National previously and has long been considered ideal Aintree material by Nicky Richards, whose father Gordon won with Lucius.

Trainer Nicky Richards said: "He stays extremely well and is proven on all sorts of ground. He's in grand order and has a lot going for him."

20 Shattered Love *

Close to best when third in mares' chase at Cheltenham but that was 2m4f and has never looked an out-and-out stayer. Pulled up in the 2019 Irish National.

Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O'Leary said: "She's the one I have been fancying for this for a while."

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21 Jett *

Below form this season and soundly beaten in the Becher Chase here but jockey Sam Waley-Cohen has won six races over these fences.

Trainer Jessica Harrington said: "He's a big price but I wouldn't rule him out at all."

22 Lord Du Mesnil ***

Would have been 5lb higher had his Grand National Trial win come before the weights were published and has had a sighter over an inadequate 2m5f here. Best form is on very soft ground.

Trainer Richard Hobson said: "If it rained I'd say he had a massive shout. He wants testing conditions."

23 Potters Corner ***

Last year's virtual Grand National winner had won the Midlands Grand National and Welsh Grand National for real previously but his form has been mixed this term and he's tried in blinkers.

Trainer Christian Williams said: "We're getting more confident the closer we get to it."

24 Class Conti **

Placed in Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in the last two years. Yet to race beyond 3m1f but could be suited by it.

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: "He has to have a squeak of getting placed. The worry is will he be able to lie up with the early pace but he's a safe jumper and he'll like the ground."

25 Milan Native *

Last year's Kim Muir winner has been out of form in recent starts and remains higher in the weights than for that Cheltenham success and has his stamina to prove.

Gigginstown racing manager Eddie O'Leary said: "He needs to come back to form and hopefully he takes to the fences."

26 Discorama ***

Looked a stayer when battling second in the 2019 National Hunt Chase and has run well without winning since.

Trainer Paul Nolan said: "We’ll hunt him around and hope to God he’ll get into the race at some stage and we’ll take it from there, but you never know with the National."

27 Vieux Lion Rouge **

Completed the course for record-equalling ninth time when winning the Becher Chase. Not quite so effective over this longer trip and no better than sixth in four National attempts.

Trainer David Pipe said: "The trip just seems a bit of an issue for him but he's a bit older and hopefully might get a bit further."

28 Cloth Cap *****

Deservedly short-priced favourite after fine wins in the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at Newbury and the Premier Chase at Kelso. Officially 10lb well in at the weights and his third in the Scottish Grand National showed his stamina.

Trainer Jonjo O'Neill said: "You'd have to like his chances. Everything has gone to plan this season – it's nearly gone too well."

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29 Cabaret Queen **

Front-running winner of Kerry National at Listowel but will find this field much harder to dominate and has not quite reproduced that form.

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: "Her form has tapered off a little bit but I think this drier ground will suit her well and there are worse longshots than her."

30 Minellacelebration **

Three-time winner on the Mildmay course at Aintree and will be suited by drying ground but well beaten in the 2019 Becher Chase and has had wind surgery since last run.

Trainer Katy Price said: "He jumps the fences well and he's a dour stayer. Hopefully, we'll have some luck in running."

31 Canelo **

Looked progressive when winning Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day and better than bare result at Doncaster last time. Should stay.

Trainer Alan King said: "You can't be sure they'll stay until they try it but he switches off well and gives himself every chance of getting the trip."

32 The Long Mile **

Four-time winner in the past 15 months but none was in a race over further than 2m3½f and no seven-year-old has won since Bogskar in 1940.

Trainer Philip Dempsey said: "He's a laid-back horse and we've a good run with him in the lead-up to the race."

33 Give Me A Copper **

Lightly-raced 11-year-old who ran a career-best when second at Doncaster in December. Pulled up only run since and unproven at extreme distances.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: "He's the sort of horse who might be brightened up by the fences and the race. We think the National might suit him."

34 Farclas **

Second in the Paddy Power Plate at Cheltenham was the latest in a series of good efforts by this former Triumph Hurdle winner but has never raced over further than three miles.

Jockey Jack Kennedy said: "I think he'll stay but that's the only worry we have with him."

35 Minella Times ****

Will be hugely popular with Rachael Blackmore on board but has a big chance anyway. Second in two big-field handicaps at Leopardstown in the winter and bred to stay.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead said: "He jumps really well and he seems to be in very good form at home."

36 Sub Lieutenant **

Staying-on second in the 2019 Topham Chase and has run creditably races for his new, small yard since bought for £50,000 last September.

Trainer Georgie Howell said: "If he wasn't trained by me and ridden by a girl, people would be talking about him because he fits the right profile."

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37 Hogan's Height **

Took well to the fences when winning the Grand Sefton Chase in 2019 and might have gone well here last year. Has needed both runs this season after an interrupted preparation.

Trainer Jamie Snowden said: "He loved the pace and If he recaptures that form a top six placing is not beyond the realms of possibility."

38 Double Shuffle **

Former King George VI Chase second was pulled up in 2017 National. His Kempton win showed he still has plenty of ability but has never looked a thorough stayer.

Trainer Tom George said: "He ran in the race a few years ago and loved it but didn't quite see out the trip. He's a much stronger horse now."

39 Ami Desbois **

Without a win since 2017 and though he has finished second in both runs this season has never looked the sort to be suited by this extreme test.

Trainer Graeme McPherson said: "From the beginning of last summer this season has been focused on the Grand National. We're really looking forward to it."

40 Blaklion *

Did not last home when fourth in 2017. Won Becher Chase later that year but below that form in recent seasons.

Trainer Dan Skelton said: "He's won round the track before and it won't be fitness that beats him. It's the Grand National and 100-1 shots have won before."

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