THE Grand National is one of the most famous races in the world and we've got all the latest news, views and top tips ahead of this year's renewal. To get you in the mood for the marathon contest at Aintree - here's a run-down of the race. 1 Tiger Roll and Davy Russel will be looking for a repeat of last year's success. When is the Grand National, what's the distance and which sort of horses can enter? The 2019 Grand National will take place on Saturday, April 6 at 17:15 (5.15pm). It's a Grade 3 Handicap Chase run over the National fences and a distance of four miles, two and a half furlongs. The race is open to horses aged seven or older and rated 120+, and they must have been placed in a recognised chase of three miles or more. Download the new Sun Racing app today THE new Sun Racing app is here - and it's sent the bookies running for cover. The brilliant new app, which is free to download, features: Best Odds - our odds comparison tool keeps the bookies honest Predictor - rank the field by 18 different categories, such as weight, draw, career prize money and jockey wins Tips & news - get a steer from the best tipsters in the business in our news tab Head over to the App Store to download it for free. Who won the Grand National back in 2018? Tiger Roll (10-1) won the 2018 renewal of the Grand National in a dramatic finish with Pleasant Company pushing him to a photo finish in the final strides. Pleasant Company (25-1) was second, Bless The Wings (40-1) was third with Anibale Fly (10-1) fourth. Which jockeys and trainers have won the Grand National the most? The most successful horse was the famous Red Rum who won the race an incredible three times (1973, 1974, 1977). The leading jockey is George Stevens with five wins while three trainers have won the race four times; George Dockeray, Fred Rimell and Ginger McCain. How can I watch the race? Virgin Media One will be showing live coverage of five races from Aintree with coverage starting at 2.00 pm. It can also be streamed live on Virgin TV Anywhere. The first and last race of the day will be shown exclusively on Racing UK. The race will be broadcast live on Racing TV and ITV. ITV1 is on Sky channel 103 and Virgin channel 103. You can watch Racing TV on Sky Channel 426 and Virgin Media Channel 536. What are the top tips for the race? We've got all of our tipsters to give you their hot fancy for the contest: TEMPLEGATE - RATHVINDEN (NAP) (Click here to compare the best prices and place your bet) (Click here to compare the best prices and place your bet) MATT CHAPMAN - VINTAGE CLOUDS (Click here to compare the best prices and place your bet) (Click here to compare the best prices and place your bet) WIZARD OF ODDS - VINTAGE CLOUDS (NAP) (Click here to compare the best prices and place your bet) (Click here to compare the best prices and place your bet) TRENDS - JURY DUTY (Click here to compare the best prices and place your bet)<doc-sep>Whether or not you claim to have an interest in the so-called sport of kings, Grand National weekend is different. Everyone dips their fingers into the form book for a race that's as close to a lottery as it gets in sport. The race itself may not attract the highest class of horse, but it generates special memories that live through the decades in a way no other race can. Whether it's Foinavon emerging from a sea of hapless bodies or Red Rum's famous retention of the race or Devon Loch's abrupt halt coming up the home straight, the race is never short of drama. On the other hand, it's not exactly a favourable race for punters, given the many variables to be considered in the event. Still, the thrill still takes us all in. But what do you need to look for in a Grand National horse? In simple terms, they need to be able to jump well facing daunting obstacles like The Chair, Becher's Brook and Valentine's. In addition, they need to be carrying no more than a lenient weight that enables them to run all day. This isn't just a marathon; this is the marathon of marathons with fences most humans are unable to even look over. Nevertheless, a few horses catch the eye and make the cut in our list of Grand National tips. Tiger Roll 4/1 Advertisement There are a number of reasons making last year's winner of the race perhaps easy to oppose. He's hiked up the weights, he just about made the line ahead of Pleasant Company 12 months ago and, most startling, he would be the shortest-priced favourite to win the race for around a century. But the Gordon Elliott star has shown all the form to suggest he's more than capable of defying the arguments against him. His performance in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham was arguably the best performance of the week, after he stormed clear by 22 lengths up the famous hill. He only won by two lengths last year before continuing on to win the big Aintree event, suggesting the Gigginstown runner is in better form than ever. If the improvement continues, it will take a damn good horse to overtake the primed nine-year-old coming up towards to stands. Anibale Fly 12/1 A top-weight winner of the National may be as rare as hens' teeth, but having entered the frame in the last two Gold Cups the Tony Martin runner must be considered. The manner in which the Gold Cup runner-up breezed up the Cheltenham hill hunting Al Boum Photo backs up his form from last year's race when he come home in fourth. Advertisement He's two pounds higher this year - not exactly a harsh penalty - and must be in with a big chance of landing his trainer - Gordon Elliott's former mentor - his first win in the race. Producing a flawless round of jumping - there were a few minor blips last year - would see JP McManus' first-string having a major say in the outcome of this year's running. His form may not be anywhere near as impressive as Tiger Roll's; at the same time, he has yet to go anywhere remotely as far as this trip since last year. And this looks like the trip he'll relish more than most. Pleasant Company 16/1 For last year's runner-up, the two runs so far this season have been fairly uninspiring. Both of those runs may have come around the three-mile mark, though they're still not very heartening. The very same could've been said, however, coming into last year's race which saw him almost catch Tiger Roll at the post. Advertisement The fact Willie Mullins is having a sensational season must also be added to the equation, plus the fact that he ran commendably in the race in 2017. It's clear the 11-year-old keeps his best performances for the Liverpool track and with Paul Townend, fresh off a win in the Gold Cup, the Mullins camp clearly feel they're not without a chance. Should Townend employ similar tactics to those used by David Mullins last year, this runner won't be too far from the head of affairs late on. Joe Farrell 16/1 There were anxious times in the Rebecca Curtis yard during the week, but her runner just about crept in at the bottom of the weights. Curtis may not have the name of some of her rivals in the field, but this is a runner not to be overlooked. Winning last year's Scottish National was Joe Farrell's most impressive race to date, but his subsequent two runs have also been noteworthy, especially his last run at Newbury last month. On that occasion, he was carrying considerably more than he will be at Aintree. Advertisement Jumping the larger obstacles, meanwhile, shouldn't be an obstacle since he's never not finished a race in a career spanning 17 outings. In fact, there isn't much evidence to argue against the Curtis-trained horse. If the horse was running out of a yard like Mullins' or Elliott's, he would surely be much shorter in the market. General Principle 33/1 This is another runner carrying quite a lenient weight. Since winning last year's Irish National, the Elliott runner has been fairly busy, heading for the racecourse on five occasions. After entering the frame in his penultimate start at Punchestown over three-and-a-half miles it's clear the Gigginstown runner enjoys long treks. The Cheltenham Festival was somewhat disappointing for him, after he pulled up when hampered by a faller at the last. Dounikos is another Elliott runner who got the better of General Principle in February, but with the weights altered the gap between the two should narrow. Advertisement JJ Slevin is back on board for the first time since last April's win at Fairyhouse and, at long odds, he isn't without a shot in a race that has produced plenty of long-shot winners throughout the years, including a 100/1 gamble as recently as 2009. Valseur Lido 66/1 If there's one race throughout the year worthy of taking a punt on a horse at considerable odds, it's the Grand National. Of the runners making up the numbers at the bottom of the market, Valseur Lido commands attention. To start, Henry De Bromhead is renowned for producing very capable jumpers, a trait that obviously comes in very handy tackling these obstacles. The 10-year-old came home in eighth place last year and while he hasn't produced anything to write home about this season, he is coming into the race carrying over a stone less in the ratings. It must also be noted that he hasn't gone further than three miles, except narrowly on one occasion. Again, he has the look of a horse screaming out for the distance and with bookmakers paying extra places, he's a very solid bet with an each-way shot. SEE ALSO: Barry Geraghty Out Of Grand National With Suspected Broken Leg<doc-sep>The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Want the latest from the world of GAA, horse racing, football, rugby and more straight to your inbox? Sign up to our FREE newsletter Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Yes please! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Tiger Roll, winner of last year's Grand National , is the bookies' favourite to reclaim the title when the race returns to Aintree this afternoon. In dramatic fashion, Tiger Roll and Pleasant Company were level as they crossed the line with a photo finish required to determine the winner in 2018. A second consecutive victory would see Tiger Roll's name written in horse racing folklore, with Red Rum the last horse to win back-to-back races in 1973 and 1974. With this eagerly awaited race fast approaching, who are the favourites for the 2019 Grand National and who stands a chance of causing an upset? (Image: Liverpool Echo/Colin Lane) Who are the bookies favourites? Tiger Roll: 5/1 Rathvinden: 9/1 Anibale Fly: 16/1 Vintage Clouds: 16/1 Jury Duty: 16/1 Pleasant Company: 16/1 Lake View Lad: 16/1 Rock The Kasbah: 16/1 Joe Farrell: 20/1 Ramses De Teillee: 22/1 Step Back: 25/1 Walk In The Mill: 25/1 Dounikos: 28/1 One For Arthur: 33/1 Ballyoptic: 40/1 Minella Rocco: 40/1 Up for Review: 40/1 General Principle: 40/1 Go Conquer: 50/1 Noble Endeavor: 50/1 Vieux Lion Rouge: 50/1 Tea For Two: 50/1 A Toi Phil: 66/1 Monbeg Notorious: 66/1 Ultragold: 66/1 Singlefarmpayment: 66/1 Mala Beach: 80/1 Regal Encore: 80/1 Folsom Blue: 80/1 Captain Redbeard: 80/1 Valtor: 100/1 Livelovelaugh: 100/1 Valseur Lido: 100/1 Magic of Light: 150/1 Don Poli: 150/1 Outlander: 150/1 Blow By Blow: 150/1 Bless The Wings: 150/1 Warriors Tale: 150/1 Just A Par: 200/1 Odds courtesy of Bet365.<doc-sep>
With Precious Cargo finishing down the field and Waiting Patiently soundly beaten, it was two out of two on Friday's Aintree card, putting us nicely in profit as we look to lay a few on Grand National day. If you're new to laying, check out our guide, here, especially if you're going to take your first foray in the big race itself... Take on top three in Grand National market, but cautiously It's easy to see why the market is wary of the chances of Tiger Roll (5.709/2), Rathvinden (10.5019/2) and Vintage Clouds (18.0017/1), but the odds are shorter than my ratings suggest they should be. That's not to say you should get stuck in and lay any of them - after all, you would need to have deep pockets were one of them to win - but it's worth avoiding the trio when looking for your bet. Tiger Roll, as last year's winner, who has been visually impressive in his races since, has obvious claims to repeat his victory on Saturday. I have my doubts, though. He has to carry 9lbs more weight than he did last year; he might have looked impressive at the Cheltenham Festival, but that was in a very different type of race against inferior opposition; that race was only three weeks ago, raising concerns over whether he will have fully recovered; and this year sees him switch to wearing blinkers over the cheekpieces he was sporting when winning last year. Now, that last fact may not seem especially significant (what difference can the cut of his headgear make?) but I wouldn't want to take such short odds over a horse, in such a chaotic race, where his vision was being obscured further. Instead of laying him in the win market, though, I'll be doing so in the place market at 2.962/1, in the expectation that he can be kept out of the first four. As for Tiger Roll's fellow market leaders, Rathvinden's 2018 win at the Cheltenham Festival over 4 miles was slow - suggesting he's better over shorter distances - and he's had a few sketchy jumping performances, too. Vintage Clouds is similarly unappealing: plotting a graph of his speed ratings against distance run, there is a clear pattern that he gets relatively slower against other horses the further he goes. Laying Vintage Clouds and Rathvinden won't be an option for most punters, but even so, keeping clear of them when putting together your back bets is the wise call. Focus instead on better-value horses like Vieux Lion Rouge (70.0069/1), One For Arthur (40.0039/1), Pleasant Company (20.0019/1), Bless The Wings (200.00199/1) and Anibale Fly (20.0019/1). Sire Du Berlais story isn't so simple in Gaskells A compelling narrative seems to have built up around Sire Du Berlais that goes something like this... He's an improving horse who landed a gamble at the Cheltenham Festival and, whilst he must carry more weight here, his new jockey, a conditional, means some of that weight is taken off again, so if he is the same form on Saturday, he'll be hard to beat. Well, while it's true that Sire Du Berlais has good prospects in the race and can't be ignored, there are a few doubts which mean I'll be a layer in the place market at 1.855/6. He may have landed the gamble at Cheltenham, but it was a close-run thing. And up in weight, on a different course, with little time for him to recover from his exertions last-time out, I'm more cautious about his chances than some.