Rachael Blackmore was the toast of Aintree when she became the first female jockey to win the world's most famous race.
Minella Times stormed to a six-and-a-half length victory in the colours of legendary owner and punter JP McManus last April. The nine-year-old must carry 15lb more this time around which goes some way to explaining why Blackmore's mount is a 20-1 chance with Betfred to strike again in 2022.
Blackmore and trainer Henry de Bromhead head to Aintree on the crest of a wave after winning two of the biggest races at last week's Cheltenham Festival with Honeysuckle and A Plus Tard, who gave Blackmore a first Cheltenham Gold Cup.
De Bromhead said: "Minella Times has been a little bit disappointing this year but he seems to be coming back to himself, so we are hoping he’s coming into form. Unfortunately, Balko des Flos (the 2021 runner-up) won’t be going this season, but we’ve got plenty of others including Chris’s Dream and Court Maid. She (Court Maid) has just joined our team and we also have Poker Party, so there are plenty of others there to represent us."
After this week's acceptance stage, last year's third, Any Second Now, is 10-1 co-favourite of three alongside Escaria Ten and Delta Work. The first-named contender, who won the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February, must race off a 7lb higher mark this time. Confidence in him is high, especially after such a smooth preparation.
Gordon Elliott is likely to have a strong say in which way this year's Grand National goes as he saddles five of the first 11 horses in Betfred 's Grand National betting list. Escaria Ten has never been to Aintree but he warmed up for his big spring target when beaten just a nose by Any Second Now last time out, while Delta Work threw his hat into the ring by edging out stablemate and dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll in last week's cross country chase at Cheltenham.
Latest Grand National odds from Betfred
- Escaria Ten - 10-1
- Delta Work - 10-1
- Any Second Now - 10-1
- Enjoy D'allen - 12-1
- Snow Leopardess - 14-1
- Cloth Cap - 20-1
- Farclas - 20-1
- Longhouse Poet - 20-1
- Mount Ida - 20-1
- Burrows Saint - 20-1
- Fiddlerontheroof 20-1
- Minella Times - 20-1
- Run Wild Fred - 20-1
- Discorama - 25-1
- Noble Yeats - 25-1
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