National connections have their say Connections of the 40 runners in the Randox Health Grand National assess their chances of Aintree glory: 1) THUNDER AND ROSES Mouse Morris, trainer "If you're not in, you can't win. I don't think the ground will be an inconvenience." 2) BLAKLION Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer "I know he has gone up 8lb, but with a bit more restraint hopefully he'll be there." 3) ANIBALE FLY Frank Berry, racing manager "He ran a great race at Cheltenham and Tony Martin is very happy with him." 4) THE LAST SAMURI Kim Bailey, trainer "I just think he's a phenomenal jumper. Soft ground helps him a little bit as it slows the others down a bit." 5) VALSEUR LIDO Henry de Bromhead, trainer "He probably got bogged down in the ground in his last couple of starts. He's in great form." 6) TOTAL RECALL Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer "He has big-field handicap experience and a touch of class." 7) ALPHA DES OBEAUX Rachael Blackmore, jockey "I rode him in Leopardstown, but Aintree is very different. Hopefully he'll run a big race." 8) PERFECT CANDIDATE Fergal O'Brien, trainer "He didn't run too badly in it last year. With a better prep this year he should be a lot of fun if he gets round." 9) SHANTOU FLYER Richard Hobson, trainer "He's a much stronger horse this season. He got knocked sideways in the race last year and that's what made him pull up." 10) TENOR NIVERNAIS Liam Treadwell, assistant trainer "He got round last year and didn't do a lot wrong, so he deserves to take his chance." 11) CARLINGFORD LOUGH Frank Berry, racing manager "He's got some very good form in the book. He wouldn't want much more rain, though." 12) DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR Sue Smith, trainer "He ran very well at Haydock. I don't know if the ground is going against us a little bit but he has got no weight on." 13) TIGER ROLL Gordon Elliott, trainer "I think he's got a great profile. He's got 10st 12lb on his back, which is a lovely weight." 14) REGAL ENCORE Anthony Honeyball, trainer "It's just a case of having that same luck in running he had last year. He had a lovely run through last season." 15) VIEUX LION ROUGE David Pipe, trainer "He had a good National prep run at Ascot and the ground will be fine for him. He jumps well over those fences." 16) CHASE THE SPUD Fergal O'Brien, trainer "He's in great form and we are hoping the National will spark something in him." 17) WARRIORS TALE Trevor Hemmings, owner "He can run in all sorts of conditions. I'm hopeful." 18) SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT Sandy Thomson, trainer "Conditions shouldn't affect him, but it's the Grand National and anything can happen." 19) GAS LINE BOY Ian Williams, trainer "He has schooled over Grand National-type fences at home and his work has been good." 20) THE DUTCHMAN Colin Tizzard, trainer "He burst a blood vessel on his last run and came home all wrong. We've given him plenty of time to freshen up. He'll handle the ground well." 21) PLEASANT COMPANY Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer "We're hoping he might rediscover his spark and if he does, he has to have an each-way chance." 22) UCELLO CONTI Gordon Elliott, trainer "Ucello Conti has been going very well at home and I think he'll run well." 23) SAINT ARE Tom George, trainer "His whole campaign has been geared around another shot at the National - he's in his element there." 24) WALK IN THE MILL Robert Walford, trainer "If he gets into a rhythm he's the sort of good jumper who could go well." 25) RAZ DE MAREE Gavin Cromwell, trainer "I think I'm the only person who wasn't upset with all the rain recently and long may it last." 26) I JUST KNOW Sue Smith, trainer "It wasn't the plan to run over hurdles last time, it was because of all the meetings we've lost. He was good at Catterick in the North Yorkshire National." 27) VIRGILIO Dan Skelton, trainer "He has a good record around the Mildmay course. He's a big price but anything could happen." 28) BAIE DES ILES Katie Walsh, jockey "We're hoping she will take to the fences. She's a really solid jumper. She's got an attractive profile." 29) MAGGIO James Griffin, assistant trainer "We're realistic about our chances, but a completion for a small yard like us would be fantastic." 30) PENDRA Charlie Longsdon, trainer "He has had a wind operation since his last run. The only thing he wouldn't want is bottomless ground." 31) BUYWISE Evan Williams, trainer "The old horse is in remarkable form. Everything is good." 32) CHILDRENS LIST Patrick Mullins, assistant trainer "Childrens List beat Edwulf in his beginners' chase and if you take that form literally he's well handicapped." 33) LORD WINDERMERE Jim Culloty, trainer "He's in good form. He's fit. I'm happy with him." 34) CAPTAIN REDBEARD Stuart Coltherd, trainer "The horse has got the ability. I think he's proved that this season. He should handle the fences." 35) HOUBLON DES OBEAUX Liam Treadwell, assistant trainer "He ran with credit last year and he's in very good form." 36) BLESS THE WINGS Gordon Elliott, trainer "He is not getting any younger, but he's been second in the Irish National twice. A bit better ground would have suited him." 37) MILANSBAR Neil King, trainer "It's great to have Bryony (Frost) on board again. She schooled him over National-style fences the other day and all went well. He's in great form." 38) FINAL NUDGE David Dennis, trainer "It's a wet spring, which isn't a disadvantage. He's jumped much better this year than last season." 39) DOUBLE ROSS Carl Llewellyn, assistant trainer "He was running well in the 2016 National when the saddle slipped and looked to be taking to the track." 40) ROAD TO RICHES Noel Meade, trainer "He hasn't shown anything since he had that bad fall at Punchestown. We've done everything differently and he seems in great form - we've jumped him over some National fences."
