‘Connections have been very careful’ – Four horses for your Grand National shortlist

We’d usually take aim at Saturday’s big race with an ante-post piece but as it’s the Grand National this week, it might be helpful to have more than one selection to consider for your shortlists. Aintree‘s biggest day of the year is set to provide another enthralling race, which should be a thoroughly competitive affair. Here are four Grand National picks to consider, including a 33/1 Willie Mullins runner. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

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Monty’s Star (20/1, bet365)

Henry de Bromhead’s nine-year-old was a fair novice chaser a couple of seasons ago and he chased home Fact To File to finish second in the 2024 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. A fair fifth in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, a return to that sort of form would give him every chance here.

16:00

Aintree

Monty's Star

Analysis

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Quai De Bourbon (33/1, bet365)

Connections have been very careful with him this season and he produced a much improved performance to finish third in a competitive handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. Third in the Irish equivalent last year, it would be no surprise if he runs a big race.

16:00

Aintree

Quai De Bourbon

Analysis

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Panic Attack (14/1, bet365)

Dan Skelton has had an mazing season thus far, earning more than £4,000,000 in prize money. The £500,000 first prize for victory in this race would be the icing on the cake. Panic Attack still looks potentially well treated off a mark of 147, although the fact that she’s 10 is a slight concern.

16:00

Aintree

Panic Attack

Analysis

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The Real Whacker (100/1, bet365)

Patrick Neville’s stable star is a very good horse on his day and the Cheltenham Festival winner was victorious in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in 2024. He’s been running over hurdles this term, potentially to protect his mark, and is capable of outrunning his monster price.

16:00

Aintree

The Real Whacker

Analysis

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If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.

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New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. Register with FRED40, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £20 in Sports Free Bets & £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment exclusions & T&Cs Apply.

CLAIM

Bet £10, Get £40 In Free Bets

New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. Register with FRED40, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get £20 in Sports Free Bets & £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment exclusions & T&Cs Apply.