Grand National Willie Mullins Runners

The Grand National is the most watched and most bet on race in the world every season and in this season in particular, the power trainer of the moment Willie Mullins has a formidable looking squad.

Mullins looks set to send seven of the thirty four runners to Aintree at 4pm on Saturday, with the master of Closutton itching to snag a Grand National winner for the first time since 2005. This is a long time between drinks for the top trainer around in this generation, so let's take a look at his team...

I Am Maximus - Paul Townend - Age 8

The best chance Mullins has of winning the race according to the odds compilers is I AM MAXIMUS, a former Irish National winner and a horse who handed another contender here Vanillier weight and a beating last time out at Fairyhouse in the Bobbyjo Chase.

There is plenty of confidence behind this talented eight year old, and he looks to have the frame to be able to cope with the big weight he is tasked with carrying to glory over the 4m+ trip on Merseyside. A concern would be his perceived liking of Fairyhouse above all other tracks, with all of his best performances coming there.

Nevertheless, a progressive eight year old like this coming from the stable he does and the choice of the best jockey in the business right now Paul Townend warrants massive respect.

Meetingofthewaters - Danny Mullins - Age 7

In the same ownership as the previously mentioned I Am Maximus and a year younger, MEETINGOFTHEWATERS has steadily been backed into single figures and as the big race approaches it would be no surprise were he to usurp his stablemate in the market.

This may be unlikely given the clear pecking order at Closutton means Paul Townend is ahead of Danny Mullins, but the latter named is a fine rider in his own right and won on his one go with Meetingofthewaters earlier this season.

On that occasion he beat Panda Boy, another prominent in the market here, but he does have a negative weight swing to contend with against that particular rival. Nevertheless, JP paid a fortune for this lad and there are surely plenty more big days to come. Will Saturday be the biggest of the lot? He has an excellent chance.

Mr Incredible - Brian Hayes - Age 9

MR INCREDIBLE ran in the race last year and was fancied by plenty. He was unfortunate to bow out of the race at the Canal Turn when his jockey's saddle slipped and he departed, but prior to this he had looked to be one of the best moving horses throughout the race.

His prep over this kind of distance at Uttoxeter - on heavy ground - proved he had the stamina for this contest so with more luck in running this time around it would be no surprise to see Mr Incredible on the premises as the race draws to its conclusion.

Massive contender and the money coming as the rain falls is no surprise, although the standing start could mean he returns to his old crazy ways of refusing to race when with Henry De Bromhead so as his price contracts, caution is advised.

Capodanno - Keith Donoghue - Age 8

CAPODANNO is a big price for glory in green and gold, but is a potentially interesting runner. He did not complete the race last season when running as a seven year old, and watching it back it was alarming to see how many errors he made. Nevertheless, he seems much better this season and after a respectable fourth in the Ryanair - a race in which he had no chance with such a short distance - he could be coming here cherry ripe.

The main issue is the big weight he will be forced to carry, with just the magnificent Many Clouds in 2015 carrying a weight heavier than Capodanno's here to glory in the last 20 years. This trend is even worse if looking back on soft ground years, with most placed horses carrying below 11st. Capodanno has it all to do at a track he has not proven himself at, so perhaps his price is valid.

Adamantly Chosen - Sean O'Keeffe - Age 7

ADAMANTLY CHOSEN put in a career best last time out when battering Roi Mage and others last time out over just more than 3m at Down Royal. This showed his ability and being ridden prominently clearly suits this seven year old.

This will be an altogether different test, however if he can get into a good rhythm he could well start to relish what is ahead of him and with his lightly raced profile he does not look one to totally discount.

The jockey bookings would indicate he is well down the list of Mullins and JP's best chances, but Sean O'Keeffe is no slouch and at massive odds there are worse horses to keep on side, particularly with his mark meaning he fits soft ground National trends.

Stattler - Patrick Mullins - Age 9

STATTLER falls into the category of feeling like he has been around forever yet is still somehow only in single digits. Ownership mate Galvin and Stattler were both unlikely runners according to their owner Ronnie Bartlett as he insists both want good ground, but both remain in and he is no forlorn hope.

It is bizarre that Bartlett was so keen to pull in particular this horse out of the race as his best ever run on RPRs has come when the ground was officially described as heavy.

He doesn't win much, but is a dour stayer and if he takes to these fences he could give those who support him each-way someone to shout home up the run in as he will be passing beaten horses providing he makes it that far in the race.

Glengouly - Michael O'Sullivan - Age 8

On GLENGOULY'S excellent run in the Thyestes, he would be in with a decent shot here. He has looked one who is eager to have a go in a marathon race such as this one and the jockey on board is immensely talented, as he showed at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival in particular.

He does, however, have a patch profile and there was no real reason for his flop in the Plate at Cheltenham last time out. There are some at a similar price or bigger who are much easier to avoid than Glengouly, however with the Thyestes being the furthest he has gone this may be a rude awakening to marathon races.

Janidil - Jody McGarvey - Age 9

JANIDIL has chased home the top class Allaho a few times in his career, but those days seem long gone and he has been hopeless this season. There is no other way to describe it.

The handicapper has also given him no respite and if he does take part, it is long odds against he completes the course. One of the easiest in the field to discount and certainly Willie Mullins' least likely winner - for all it is folly to ever rule out a Closutton raider.