2022 Grand National pinstickers' guide: quotes and star ratings for every horse

A full field of 40 runners will go to post for the world's most famous chase, but who will come out on top? Read our runner-by-runner guide featuring top trainer quotes and star ratings for the big race live on ITV at 5.15 on Saturday.

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1 Minella Times

Star rating: ***

Won well last year and Tiger Roll has made back-to-back victories fashionable again. Stiffer task at these weights and has not completed in either start this season.

Owner JP McManus: "It's a big ask, 15lb higher this year. He's probably entitled to it but it's a big ask. But who knows? You can only win if you're here."

2 Delta Work

Star rating: ****

Five-time Grade 1 winner. Stamped himself an obvious contender with back-to-form defeat of Tiger Roll over cross-country fences at Cheltenham.

Trainer Gordon Elliott: "He's the pick of ours. The way he took to cross-country fences at Cheltenham was brilliant. We brought him to the beach the other day and he was loving life, so he comes here fresh and well."

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3 School Boy Hours

Star rating: ***

Led in the final strides in a big 3m handicap chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and should be well suited by this stamina test.

Trainer Noel Meade:"It's great to get in. He's exactly the type of horse you want to run in the Grand National because he has loads of size and scope and you'd imagine he'll take to the fences really well."

4 Any Second Now

Star rating: ****

Would have gone very close but for being badly hampered at the 12th fence when third here last year and Bobbyjo Chase win showed he's set to run another big race.

Owner JP McManus:"He's had a good preparation and Ted Walsh is very happy with him. He's giving me all the right vibes. But it's a big ask, he has 11st 8lb."

5 Run Wild Fred

Star rating: ****

Irish Grand National runner-up filled the same position in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and should be suited by this distance. First or second on last seven runs.

Trainer Gordon Elliott:"He was second in last year's Irish Grand National and that race is always a good guide. He was a good second in the National Hunt Chase and ticks a lot of the boxes."

6 Lostintranslation

Star rating: **

Dual Grade 1 winner who has not been at his best since scoring over 2m5f at Ascot in November and has never looked a dyed-in-the-wool stayer.

Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard:"He's a great jumper and if he gets into that sort of rhythm and it's genuine good to soft ground, he can start to enjoy it. But he's got questions to answer."

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7 Brahma Bull

Star rating: **

Third in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury but burst a blood vessel at Gowran Park in January and failure to complete cross-country course at Cheltenham does not augur well.

Trainer Willie Mullins: "He should enjoy this trip and the ground. His form figures this season mean he'll need to improve but he's in good form and hopefully might earn a share of the minor money."

8 Burrows Saint

Star rating: **

Weakened into fourth place after running well for a long way last year but appears to be in worse form 12 months on.

Trainer Willie Mullins:"He ran a great race last year when taking to the fences really well. He'll need to improve on this year's form but I'm hoping Aintree might bring out the best in him again."

9 Mount Ida

Star rating: **

Jumped moderately in the 2m4½f mares' chase at Cheltenham but won the 3m2f Kim Muir there in 2021 on only try at long distances.

Trainer Gordon Elliott:"She wears cheekpieces and hopefully they'll help sharpen up her jumping. She didn't get into any rhythm at Cheltenham but, over this longer trip, hopefully it'll be a different story."

10 Longhouse Poet

Star rating: *****

Impressive in victory in the Thyestes Handicap Chase, which future National winner Numbersixvalverde also took for Martin Brassil. Lightly raced and on the up.

Trainer Martin Brassil:"The ground should be ideal. If he can enjoy luck in running on the first circuit, hopefully he'll have a big chance after that."

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11 Fiddlerontheroof

Star rating: ****

Aimed at this since runner-up in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury. Second again at Ascot in February. Never out of the first three in a chase and should get the trip.

Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard: "If he gets a bit of luck and gets into a rhythm, there's no reason why he shouldn't be bang there crossing the Melling Road. Then we'll see what happens."

12 Two For Gold

Star rating: ***

Unseated in the Topham last spring but in cracking form this season, winning at Lingfield and Doncaster for Kim Bailey, who took this with Mr Frisk in 1990.

Trainer Kim Bailey: "He's never stopped improving all season. Will he get the trip? We don't know. If you thought he'd get the trip he'd have a very good chance."

13 Santini

Star rating: **

The 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up was only eighth this year. But he should be suited by a thorough test of stamina.

Trainer Polly Gundry:"They didn't go fast enough for him in the Gold Cup. If he takes to it and enjoys it over the first five or six fences he could run a good race."

14 Samcro

Star rating: *

Has not lived up to the promise of his early days. Below recent best this season and far from certain to stay.

Trainer Gordon Elliott:"He's very classy but has had a lot of problems. He seems to be in good form and hopefully he'll run well."

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15 Escaria Ten

Star rating: ****

Second in Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February suggests he's a progressive stayer who'll be well suited by this test.

Trainer Gordon Elliott:"He's an up-and-coming chaser with some very good form. If he takes to the fences, he could run a big race."

16 Good Boy Bobby

Star rating: ***

Jockey Daryl Jacob's choice from owners' four runners and has scored twice at Wetherby this season for Nigel Twiston-Davies, who has won with Earth Summit and Bindaree.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies:"He's done nothing wrong all season, he's done a lot right. I think he's got National written all over him so let's hope he can win it."

17 Romain De Senam

Star rating: *

Winner up to 2m7f but pulled up in Midlands National at Uttoxeter on first run for David Pipe last month.

Trainer David Pipe: "It's always great to have a runner. He'll keep galloping and if he takes to it who knows how well he could do."

18 Coko Beach

Star rating: **

Seventh in the Irish Grand National and has shown further progress this season without suggesting he is yet up to winning a race like this.

Trainer Gordon Elliott:"He may need a bit of rain as most of his form is on soft ground."

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19 De Rasher Counter

Star rating: **

Restricted to four runs since looking a future National contender when winning the Ladbrokes Trophy in 2019. Ran well for a long way at Newbury in February after 489 days off.

Trainer Emma Lavelle:"This whole season has been built around this one day. He's got a bit of class about him."

20 Kildisart

Star rating: **

Big fancy for the 2020 National, which was lost to the pandemic. Showed he retains plenty of ability after a long layoff when fourth over 2m4f at Newbury last month.

Trainer Ben Pauling: "I think he'll stay and is 6lb or 7lb well in. If he takes to the place and jumps well, I genuinely think he can be competitive."

21 Discorama

Star rating: ***

In contention for a long way when seventh last year and close second under a big weight at Fairyhouse in February.

Trainer Paul Nolan: "He's had a much better preparation this year. If he gets the same clear passage and jumps the same this time around, I think he'll finish closer."

22 Top Ville Ben

Star rating: **

Prone to mistakes and fell heavily in the Becher Chase in December but in fine form over hurdles recently.

Trainer Phil Kirby:"His hurdles form is as good as ever, he's on a nice mark and if he can keep his jumping right I don't see any reason why he shouldn't run a good race."

23 Enjoy D'Allen

Star rating: ***

Bought privately by owner JP McManus, eyeing a third Aintree triumph with last year's Irish National third. Improving and promises to be suited by this.

Trainer Ciaran Murphy: "We're hoping the ground will be okay for him, he'd enjoy it being the slower side of good. This has been his target for quite a while and he seems in great form."

24 Anibale Fly

Star rating: **

Fourth and then fifth in the first two of his three tries in this but pulled up last year and yet to show his form this season.

Trainer Tony Martin:"His record speaks for itself around Aintree and, while he's not getting any younger, he seems in good form. You'd love a bit of rain."

25 Dingo Dollar

Star rating: **

Close second in the Scottish Grand National last season. Laid out for this ever since but would not be helped by any more rain.

Trainer Sandy Thomson:"He appeared in the Grand Sefton Chase before he came to us, so we know he can handle those unique fences. I'd love to have given him a spin beforehand but he'll stay the trip."

26 Freewheelin Dylan

Star rating: ***

Beat several of these when winning the Irish Grand National and will be better suited by this test than those he has faced previously this season.

Trainer Dermot McLoughlin: "If he gets into a rhythm who knows what might happen. He probably won't get it all his own way out in front like in the Irish Grand National but he seems in good form."

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27 Class Conti

Star rating: *

Last of the 15 finishers last year and modest efforts this term suggest best days may be behind him.

Trainer Willie Mullins: "He hasn't found his best form so far this season and it looks a tough assignment but fingers crossed he can run well."

28 Noble Yeats

Star rating: *

Useful novice chaser bought as a National ride for six-time course winner Sam Waley-Cohen. Only ninth in the Ultima at Cheltenham.

Jockey Sam Waley-Cohen: "He's schooled over some National fences. He looks fairly handicapped and is unexposed at the trip."

29 Mighty Thunder

Star rating: **

The One For Arthur team of Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox try again with this Scottish National winner, who has been pulled up twice this term.

Trainer Lucinda Russell:"He has a relaxed way of racing and could have a good chance if he gets into a nice rhythm and the ground isn't too soft."

30 Cloth Cap

Star rating: *

Started favourite last year but pulled up with a breathing issue. Had a wind operation but has not been lasting home in races this season.

Trainer Jonjo O'Neill:"I'm looking forward to him coming back. He's in great form. We know he wants good ground but he's in great shape."

31 Snow Leopardess

Star rating: ****

Remarkable mare who has returned from having a foal. Has won all three races this season, including the Becher Chase in December, when she jumped these fences with aplomb.

Trainer Charlie Longsdon: "After taking to the fences so well, the National was the logical step. I've got no worries about her stamina."

32 Agusta Gold

Star rating: *

Form rather than stamina is the worry. Had shown very little since finishing 11th in last year's Irish National until second of five at Down Royal last month.

Trainer Willie Mullins:"I think this trip will be right up her street. Hopefully she has a chance of taking home a share of the money if bringing her best."

33 Commodore

Star rating: ***

Last-minute replacement for non-runner Phoenix Way. Impressive winner on first run for ten months at Cheltenham in December and comes here fresh.

Jockey Charlie Deutsch:"He hasn't run on the National course before but he normally jumps fences well and I don't see why he wouldn't handle them."

34 Deise Aba

Star rating: **

Pulled up in the Welsh Grand National but runner-up on his other three outings this season and beaten just a nose at Sandown, where he looked a thorough stayer.

Trainer Philip Hobbs:"He's in good form. It's his first time over the fences but he has always jumped well elsewhere."

35 Blaklion

Star rating: **

Sixth last year, the only British horse in the first 11 home, and fourth in 2017. Gained the second of two wins this term two days before his 13th birthday.

Trainer Dan Skelton:"On all evidence, he doesn't fully stay the Grand National distance. But he runs well in the race and maybe the tongue-strap will make the difference."

36 Poker Party

Star rating: *

Once useful chaser, soundly beaten in all three runs since returning from a 666-day break and needs to show he is not a light of former days.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead:"He didn't enjoy the ground on his last couple of starts but it seems to be coming together for him now. Rachael [Blackmore] felt he was taking to the cross-country fences really well last time at Cheltenham, so hopefully he'll enjoy this."

37 Death Duty

Star rating: ***

Grade 1 winner in 2017 who bounced back to land the Grand National Trial at Punchestown in February. Will be suited by stepping back up in trip.

Trainer Gordon Elliott:"He'd prefer rain but stays well and, provided he can hold his position and enjoy a bit of luck, should be doing his best work in the finish."

38 Domaine De L'Isle

Star rating: **

Thorough stayer who was fourth in the Becher Chase in December. Missed last week's Scottish National in the hope of making the cut for this.

Trainer Sean Curran: "He's in great order and he's been round there. It's all about holding a position with a circuit to go; if he's not too far out of his ground he'll be all right."

39 Eclair Surf

Star rating: ***

Won well at Warwick and second in Eider Chase, form looking all the better after conqueror Win My Wings bolted up in the Scottish National.

Trainer Emma Lavelle: "He's fresh and has done everything right in the build-up. As the season has progressed his jumping has got more and more secure and we hope that will continue."

40 Fortescue

Star rating: ***

Rated 4lb higher than when weights were published, having shown improved form in winning at Ascot. Promises to be suited by this trip.

Trainer Henry Daly:"He's well in and now he's got to go and prove it. He gallops, he jumps and he stays – I don't know what else you need but I've never won it."

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