3 minute read

There wasn't one last year which in itself was history-making so there seems to be more enthusiasm than ever for this year's edition.

It's a very tough race over nearly 7000m with 30 jumps of various degrees of difficulty and a field of 40.  It is of course a great betting race and there are only 3 runners in single figures.  They are Cloth Cap, trained by Jonjo O'Neill and Tom Scudamore will ride.  He's won his last two outings in style but this is his first go at Aintree.  Champion trainer Willie Mullins is well represented and his top chance is Burrows Saint on 8/1, who won the Irish equivalent in 2019.  Regular jockey Paul Townend is injured so the ride has been entrusted to son Patrick. And the third is Minella Times on 9/1.  He is now with Henry de Bromhead and will be ridden by everyone's favourite Rachael Blackmore.  Two good seconds in recent outings

Not far off that price is Any Second Now on 10/1 for Ted and Mark Walsh who has a couple of Gr2 wins to his credit.

And then we come to the fun part – outsiders are worth a little of the piggy bank – remember Mon Mome won in 2009 at 100/1.  So with no special reason except perhaps we like them there's top weight Bristol de Mai on 25/1 and Anibale Fly also on 25/1, Potters Corner on 20/1 (he's been aimed at this), anything trained by Willie Mullins including Cabaret Queen on 100/1.  Good luck – it's generally needed.