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The 2019 Grand National will be the 172nd running of the event, which will take place at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool in England.

The event will be run on April 6, with a maximum of 40 Grand National runners (plus four reserves) to make up the field.

As it stands, the full list of runners is at 100, although over half of them will be turned away over the next fortnight.

Headlining the runners is Tiger Roll, who pipped Pleasant Company at the post of last year’s edition to take out the 2018 Grand National.

The nine-year-old will be looking to become the first horse to win back-to-back Grand Nationals since Red Rum did the double in 1973 and 1974.

After winning with 10st 13lbs in weight last season, the handicapper has given him more weight, as he’ll now begin the race with 11st 1lbs.

Despite the increase, trainer Gordon Elliott has confirmed he won’t be pulling the star gelding out of Grand National, after a strong performance at the Cheltenham Festival.

"The horse has come out of the race very well, and the plan is to go for the English National,” Elliott told The Sun.

"Obviously I have to discuss it with Michael and Eddie (O'Leary, of Gigginstown) - but I can't see any reason at the moment why we won't be going there."

Elliott also addressed Tiger Roll’s new handicap for the 2019 edition, but said it wouldn’t deter him, and believes he’s in better shape now compared to 12 months ago.

"I spoke to the English handicapper on Monday, and he put him up 8lb (in the ratings) for winning the cross-country race (at Cheltenham).

"He (the handicapper) said he might have been easy on him, giving him 8lb, because he could have given him 10lb or more very easily.

"That only leaves him a pound wrong with last year, so it looks like he's a better horse this year than he was last year."

Tiger Roll is currently at 22/1 by bet365 to take home his second straight National, but he’ll certainly have to beat a strong field this year once again. He’s the best backed, so make sure to capitalise on every penny by finding him at the best Grand National Offers, for the best bang for your buck. Anibale Fly and Rathvinden are currently joint-second favourite for the race, with both coming in at 12/1 with leading bookmakers. Bookies can enjoy exciting offers like 25/1 on Vintage Clouds to win Grand National by Paddy power or claim £20 free bets by Royal Panda at FreeBets.

Vintage Clouds is all alone on 16/1 in fourth, while Lake View Lad (20/1), Elegant Escape (20/1) by bet365, Mall Dini (25/1), Rock the Kasbah (25/1) by Betfred and Give Me A Copper (25/1) are all close among the main chances.

After a win at Fairyhouse in late February, Willie Mullins – trainer of Rathvinden – spoke of the gelding chances at the National, with all parties involved in the horse keen to test the waters at Aintree.

"That was a nice first run of the season," Mullins told independent.ie.

"I'd imagine he'll go for the National. That would be the usual route from here. We're keen to go and the owner is keen to go. He was really firing at home and I was really happy with him."

"He's a horse that's had his troubles over the years and he's good and sound now so he may not have another run before the National. We'll see how he comes out of this race first."

Anibale Fly is certainly deserving of a spot among those favoured for the race, after the Frenchman finished fourth in the 2018 edition.

Owner JP McManus will look to secure his second Grand National after Don’t Push It triumphed back in 2010, and with the nine-year-old also placing in third in the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup, he knows how to run the big races.

Vintage Clouds is all alone on 16/1 in fourth, while Lake View Lad (20/1), Elegant Escape (20/1), Mall Dini (25/1), Rock the Kasbah (25/1) and Give Me A Copper (25/1) are all close among the main chances.

After a second place finish on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival last month, Vintage Clouds’ connections believe the nine-year-old is primed and ready for an assault on the National this time around.

“We are absolutely delighted with him,” trainer Sue Smith told the Yorkshire Post.

“He jumped great and we couldn’t ask for more. He’s been a real star for us, always has. We couldn’t be more pleased. Hopefully now Aintree will be the main aim for him.”

“He doesn’t seem to be distressed by what he has done today and he will be absolutely spot on for the National.”

Regardless of which horse takes out the 2019 Grand National, it’s certainly shaping up to be one of the strongest fields yet.

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