'I think he's got a cracking each-way chance in the Grand National at 40-1'

The 2022 Grand National, the biggest punting event of the year and a race preceded by some top-quality action at Aintree, is just days away.

We put a call out for your big-race questions heading into the meeting and have picked out a handful for our resident Punting Club judges to answer . . .

5.15 Aintree Saturday: Randox Grand National racecard and betting

Since 1983, only nine horses have won the Grand National while carrying 11 stone or more. With that in mind, what would be your fancy lurking at the bottom of the weights? Russell Collins

Mark I'm not too fixated on sticking to the bottom half of the weights but Enjoy D'Allen (10st 11lb) appeals most of those fitting your statistic. His mark has been protected all season with this race in mind and he finished an excellent third in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas; the same race Minella Times was second in before winning last year's National. He's 12lb better off with Run Wild Fred than when third in the 2021 Irish Grand National, and the blinkers he wore on that occasion, which haven't been seen since, return now. Provided he has enough tactical speed, I think he'll show up well at 12-1 each-way. Freewheelin Dylan (10st 10lb) might lack the class of some rivals but has the potential to outrun his odds of 66-1 if getting into a good rhythm.

Owen Like Mark, I'm not one who gets bogged down in where a horse is in the weights. That being said, my fancy for this year's National isDe Rasher Counter, who carries 10st 12lb. Emma Lavelle has been speaking very positively about the 2019 Ladbrokes Trophy winner, who returned from a 489-day injury absence with a good fourth in a Newbury Grade 2 in February. He races off a mark of 149 on Saturday, the same as the Ladbrokes Trophy, and provided he takes to the National fences I think he has an excellent chance at 33-1. At 100-1, don't discount Domaine De L'Isleeither. He ran a very interesting race when fourth in the Becher and will be 7lb lower this time.

Maddy Thankfully, the only horse I've backed in the race so far falls into that category Russell! Kildisart will get in off 10st 11lb and I think he's got a cracking each-way chance at 40-1. He won at the course over regulation fences off the same mark and only just missed out in the 2020 Ultima off 2lb higher. He made a very pleasing reappearance over an inadequate trip at Newbury last month and is very versatile in terms of ground.

It's not a question – it's an answer. Escaria Ten will win the 2022 Grand National. John Heatley

Mark I like your confidence, John! While I'm not as bullish, it's clear he's got solid claims. There was loads to like about his run in the Bobbyjo.

Owen I don't think I could ever be confident in picking a horse for the Grand National, but I admire yours, John! He certainly looks weighted to go well and he is one of the likelier winners, so best of luck.

Maddy He's not the sort of horse I'd be rushing to back now at 12-1, but as the lads have outlined his chance is clear. Best of luck!

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

Is it best to follow recent trends and pick Irish-trained horses or, better still, toss up between Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins' runners? Answer Soorty

Mark Some of the British runners like Santini have attractive marks, but I think Ireland has a stronger squad on the whole. As you say, the recent record of visiting runners has been pretty dominant. Even before supplying ten of the first 11 home last year, Irish-trained representatives finished 1-2-3-5 in 2019, 1-2-3-4-6 in 2018 and 1-3-4-5-6 in 2016. I don't think Willie Mullins has a particularly strong team for this year's race so give me Gordon Elliott's squad instead. Delta Work and Escaria Ten are bound to be on the premises.

Owen As Mark said, the record of visiting runners is plain for all to see and as the market suggests, they do have a stronger squad on the whole. That being said, I would not be too hung up on those trends, as the pendulum tends to swing back and forth with regards to the National. In terms of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, the latter definitely has more strength in depth, but it will be interesting to see how Burrows Saint goes, as he only weakened on the run-in last year.

Maddy The Irish definitely have a stronger group of horses in general and I wouldn't be surprised if they dominate again, but this is a handicap after all so hopefully some of the Brits can get a bit closer this time. Gordon Elliott is in miserable form though, so beware if you fancy one of his.

Is Gordon Elliott's form a cause for concern as the Grand National looms?

What do you think of Eclair Surf's chances? He gave 11lb to Win My Wings in the Eider when only beaten a length and three-quarters? Now he carries a nice, low weight of 10st 4lb. He's fallen twice, though, so his jumping has to be taken on trust. James Taylor

Mark I thought of this horse as soon as Win My Wings crossed the line in the Scottish National, James. That was a lovely boost for the form, albeit Win My Wings clearly came forward from their Newcastle clash. I think Eclair Surf's style of racing will suit this test and he's got a lovely weight. He's on my shortlist for the race.

Owen Given the way Win My Wings pulverised the Scottish National field, a mark of 147 for Eclair Surf certainly looks generous now. His forward-racing style will certainly suit the National and I would not be too worried about his jumping. He has an each-way chance, but I would be keeping my money in my pocket for now.

Eclair Surf: will need at least two to come out to be guaranteed a runCredit: Edward Whitaker

Maddy He's a difficult horse to pin down as he's disappointed in the past and can throw in the odd shocking leap. Emma Lavelle even said he might not be a Grand National horse after the Classic Chase so at around 12-1 I can allow him to go unbacked. I hope he runs well, though.

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

I really fancy the chances of Snow Leopardess, but why do mares have such a poor record? Colin Birley

Mark It'd be a brilliant story if she could do it, Colin, but do I think she represents value at her current odds? No. This will be a much bigger test than the Becher and she's got to improve. On the record of mares, it is somewhat curious that you have to go back to 1951 to find the last mare to win the National. We don't always see huge numbers of mares try their luck in the race, though, probably due to owners being cautious given their future breeding value. We saw Magic Of Light nearly pull off a 66-1 shock in 2019 and I wouldn't let Snow Leopardess' sex be the element that puts you off her.

Owen Regardless of what you back on Saturday, you would have to be fairly miserable to begrudge Snow Leopardess winning; it would be remarkable. That being said, she offers absolutely no value at her current odds and I wonder whether she has the class to land that knockout blow to this field. As Mark alluded to, you don't always see many mares trying their hand in the race, so I would not be fazed by that particular statistic. I would, however, be fazed by her single-digit price, which seems crazy to me.

Maddy No horse has ever won the Becher and Grand National in the same season either, Colin, and I fear her exuberance may catch her out in the closing stages of the race. She adds some much-needed romance into this year's race, though, and I will be cheering her home.

Confidence high for 'incredibly talented' Grand National gamble Snow Leopardess

If you were to have a pound on a Grand National straight tricast, who would be your 1-2-3 in this year's race? William Mackenzie

Mark A nice and easy question, William! I think Delta Work will be tough to beat if getting into a rhythm early. Enjoy D'Allen has plenty going for him, as outlined above in response to Russell's question, and I'll take a wild swing at Freewheelin Dylan to hit the frame at a big price. 1. Delta Work, 2. Enjoy D'Allen, 3. Freewheelin Dylan.

Owen As previously stated, I really like the chances of De Rasher Counter and Domaine De L'Isle. Delta Work oozed class when winning the Cross Country at Cheltenham and I struggle to see him out of the frame, so he will complete my tricast. 1. De Rasher Counter, 2. Delta Work, 3. Domaine De L'Isle.

Rachael Blackmore to ride defending champ Minella Times in 2022 Grand National

Hi all, I'm attending the Grand National on Saturday – will any of you be in attendance? What would be your nap, lay and best each-way selection over the three days? Fintan Finnegan

Mark Enjoy Saturday, Fintan. I'm lucky enough to be reporting at my first National meeting for the Racing Post on Friday and Saturday – here's hoping for a good festival. Fakir D'Oudairies looks a standout in the Marsh-backed Melling Chase on Friday so he'll do for my nap. Protektorat tops the market for Thursday's Betway Bowl, but he had a hard race in the Gold Cup and I'm a fan of Clan Des Obeaux. With the potential for Conflated and Kemboy to join the line-up too, I'll make the Skelton candidate my lay. Notebook is an intriguing runner in the Randox Topham Handicap Chase on Friday and I was surprised to see 25-1 available about him for the first handicap start of his life. He didn't have a perfect preparation heading into his last start at Navan and should relish this jumping test. I wouldn't put you off him each-way.

Fakir D'ouidaries: aiming for back-to-back wins in the Melling ChaseCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

Owen I hope you enjoy your day, Fintan! Dan Skelton's Shan Blue was about to rout the Charlie Hall field on return before falling in cruel fashion, a race that the 152-rated Fusil Raffles picked up the pieces in. He goes back into a handicap off a rating of 142 on Saturday and I struggle to see him going off at 6-1 on the day, so he will be my NAP. Lays are always tricky but I'll stick up Minella Crooner in the Sefton, albeit that is mainly due to how much I fancy Walking On Air. Beautiful grey Activial was formerly smart for Tom George and has run well in defeat since going hunter chasing for Francesca Poste. His front-running style will suit how the Foxhunters is run and I will happily take some of the 80-1 on offer with Coral.

Maddy Sadly I won't be in attendance, Fintan, but I'll enjoy watching. I'll nominate Politesse as a nap if she goes in one of the handicap hurdles off a mark of 132, Mister Coffey as a lay due to question marks around his application and the improving and in-form Paint The Dream as an each-way play in the Marsh Chase.

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

2022 Grand National festival offers

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If you want more on the Grand National . . .

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

2022 Randox Grand National: start time, TV details, tickets, contenders and more

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