The 2021 Aintree Grand National: Your essential runner-by-runner guide and tips

After a year away, the Grand National is back on Saturday 10th April. We have two tips for the big one as well as ITV Racing tips for the supporting races and our free horse racing tips for Saturday’s other cards.

Who have you drawn in your work sweepstake? What are your chances? Keep reading for our essential runner by runner guide to the 2021 Grand National. For our two selections, just keep on scrolling!


1 – Bristol De Mai * * *

The class act in here but gives plenty of weight away all round over a new trip. No more than outside place claims.


2 – Chris’s Dream * * 

Smart winner of the Troytown in 2019 from eighteen pounds lower. Jumped poorly last time and stamina a big question mark.


3 – Yala Enki * * *

Dour stayer made it no further than the first in the Becher four months ago. Prominent style helpful but looks too high in the weights.


4 – Ballyoptic *

Fallen in two of his three outings over these fences, tailed off in the other. Needs a career-best to land this.


5 – Definitly Red * *

Missed opportunity in 2017 when saddle slipped. Fourth in 2019 Becher but has looked regressive this season.


6 – Lake View Lad * *

Given a wind op following two disappointing starts. Struggling from a long way out when pulled up in this race in 2019.


7 – Burrows Saint * * * *

Winner of the 2019 Irish National and campaigned carefully since. Clear chance if left-handed is no concern.


8 – Magic Of Light * * * * * ANTE-POST TIP

Runner-up in this race in 2019 from five pounds lower. Trip no help last time but should’ve primed her to perfection.


9 – Acapella Bourgeois * * *

Front-runner can keep out of trouble. Third in 2019 Irish National, a bold showing wouldn’t surprise.


10 – Talkischeap * *

Won the bet365 chase in 2019 at Sandown, staying that trip strongly. Any drying of the ground would help but below par since.


11 – Tout Est Permis *

Stays three miles well but has not looked to want any further. Thirteen pounds above last handicap win.


12 – Anibale Fly * * * 

Fourth in this race in 2018 and fifth in 2019 so if he can recapture his form he looks well treated.


13 – Mister Malarky * * *

Not the most consistent but stays strongly and has hinted that he’s worth a try over a marathon trip. Minor place claims.


14 – Kimberlite Candy * * *

Runner-up in both starts over these fences in the Becher Chases of 2019 and 2020. Drying ground a concern.


15 – Any Second Now * * *

Kim Muir winner over three and a quarter miles, no issue with drop back to two last time. Remarkably versatile, place claims if stamina holds.


16 – Balko Des Flos *

Third in the Betway Bowl here in 2019 but well below that since and yet to suggest he wants to go further than three miles.


17 – Alpha Des Obeaux * * *

Third in the 2019 Becher and caught the eye in fourth in the Cross Country at the Festival last time. Outside squeak of a place.


18 – Ok Corral *

Tricky customer gets on well with this jockey. Flat track suits but sole try at a marathon trip saw him pulled up.


19 – Takingrisks * * *

2019 Scottish National winner, stamina won the day again last time. Drying ground suits, each way claims.


20 – Shattered Love * *

Novice winner over three miles but yet to suggest she wants further. Pulled up in 2019 Irish National.


21 – Jett * *

Jumped these fences well in the Becher before getting tired. Extra mile to go but can give a bold sight for three miles.


22 – Lord Du Mesnil * *

Stays very well, multiple winner over three and a half miles but could do with some serious rainfall to slow the ground.


23 – Potters Corner * * *

Already has a Welsh and Midlands National to his credit so stays well and is in with a shout with a clear round.


24 – Class Conti *

Strong runs in the Thyestes and Leinster National the last twice but stamina has failed him late on there over shorter.


25 – Milan Native * *

Won the Kim Muir at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival from eight pounds lower. Jumping has let him down this season.


26 – Discorama * * *

Runner-up in the final National Hunt Chase run over four miles. Too keen when last seen but each way claims if he settles.


27 – Vieux Lion Rouge * * 

A star over these fences, twice a Becher winner but stamina has ebbed away four times in this race in the past.


28 – Cloth Cap * * * * * WIN TIP

Third in the 2019 Scottish National, doing his best work late on. Better than ever this year, a stone well in. Huge chance.


29 – Cabaret Queen *

Spat the dummy early at Cheltenham, stays three miles but she looks a very doubtful stayer over this far.


30 – Minellacelebration * *

Loves the Mildmay course here, form of 1211. Drying ground a big plus, but has a bit to prove over this trip and fences.


31 – Canelo * *

Strong traveller has enjoyed a decent season but run just flattened out over three and a quarter miles last time.


32 – The Long Mile * * *

Tried in excess of three miles for the first time when last seen. Looked to stay and drying conditions can conserve stamina but this looks a year too soon.


33 – Give Me A Copper * *

Plugged on when fourth in the 2019 bet365 at Sandown. Horribly inconsistent since, hard to know what to expect.


34 – Farclas *

2018 Triumph winner (Tiger Roll also won that two mile hurdle) and big run last time but only over two and a half. Stamina the concern.


35 – Minella Times * * *

Did the best of his work late on over three miles at Christmas. Unexposed and worth a try over this trip.


36 – Sub Lieutenant * * 

Runner-up in the Topham in 2019 and shaped well in both starts for this yard. Stamina to prove.


37 – Hogan’s Height * *

Won the Grand Sefton over these fences in 2019 so has good experience but this trip looks too far for him.


38 – Double Shuffle *

Seems to save his best form for Kempton, well suited to a quick three miles there. Hard to think he’ll stay this far.


39 – Ami Desbois *

Bold front runner is generally a sound jumper. Could easily take to these fences but sole run in a marathon suggested stamina doubts.


40 – Blaklion * *

Fourth in this in 2017, bolting up in the Becher the same year. Miles below that this campaign, but this is just his fourth start for Skelton off a featherweight.


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.