Grand National Runners: A guide to all 40 Grand National horses

A star-studded field of 40 runners will line up in the 2022 Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday afternoon at 17:15, and we take a look at the entire field here in our in-depth runners guide...

1. Minella Times - H De Bromhead

A stunning winner of the Grand National last season, but the Henry De Bromhead-trained star will have a much stiffer test on his hands in 2022, as having won off a mark of 146 in 2021 he lines up in this year's contest off 161. With top weight to carry and having fallen and pulled up on his two starts this season, he will need to hope a return to Aintree can galvanise the Irish raider.

2. Delta Work - G Elliott

A former Grade 1-winning chaser that sparkled last time out at the Cheltenham Festival when beating dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll in the Cross Country Chase. Tackling the unique test of Aintree's National fences for the first time, but he is the real class act of the 2022 renewal, and heads to Liverpool in excellent form. The one to beat.

3. School Boy Hours - N Meade

A stunning winner of the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown, which saw him sent off favourite for the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at last month's Cheltenham Festival. However, he failed to land any sort of blow in that competitive event, so will be hoping to bounce back to form here.

4. Any Second Now - T Walsh

Ted Walsh's Any Second Now was a gallant third place in last year's Grand National, and now off a 7lb higher mark the ten-year-old will look to improve on that effort in the 2022 renewal. Heads to Aintree in cracking form as beat Escaria Ten in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, and he could be one of the most solid punting options in a hugely competitive race.

5. Run Wild Fred - G Elliott

Placed in eight of his 11 chases, but Run Wild Fred has only got his head in front once over the larger obstacles and that came in the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan earlier in this season. A seven-and-a-half length winner that day, Gordon Elliott's charge was next seen chasing home Stattler in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month, so will need to improve on that effort. Stamina is most certainly his strong suit.

6. Lostintranslation - C Tizzard

A former winner of the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree's Grand National meeting, Lostintranslation is another proven class act lining up, but he's certainly going into unknown territory with regards this marathon trip. His Betfair Chase win from 2019 is top class form and he also won the 1965 Chase at Ascot earlier this season, but he's struggled since then and has shown no signs of performing to his best, and looks to face a tough assignment.

7. Brahma Bull - W Mullins

Won the 2021 Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase at the Punchestown Festival at the end of last season, and has since finished an excellent third in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury this season. However, Brahma Bull was pulled up in the Troytown at Navan two starts ago, while he fell in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in March, so has some questions to answers in this.

8. Burrows Saint - W Mullins

Sent off a well-fancied 9/1 shot for the 2021 Grand National, and ran a fine race to finish fourth to Minella Times. That came off a mark of 156 and the Willie Mullins-trained Burrows Saint lines up off the same mark in the 2022 renewal, so has to warrant respect.  A well beaten third behind Any Second Now and Escaria Ten in the Bobbyjo Chase, Burrows Saint will need to bounce back to form here, but can't be ignored from a top yard.

9. Mount Ida - G Elliott

A sensational winner of the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival, Mount Ida continued her progression with a Listed win and Grade 2 victory earlier in the season, but failed to sparkle when flopping in the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Seventh in that event, Gordon Elliott's charge can sometimes get detached early from the field, which will certainly not be ideal in such a competitive event here.

10. Longhouse Poet - M Brassil

A smart hurdler that has blossomed over fences, Longhouse Poet beat Run Wild Fred earlier in the season in a beginners chase and then went on to bound to victory in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park in January. Upped 10lbs for that success, he was last seen having a spin over hurdles in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle, which was certainly used to keep him ticking over, but a return to the handicap sphere should see this progressive performer go very well.

11. Fiddlerontheroof - C Tizzard

A former Grade 1-winning novice hurdler, Fiddlerontheroof has some excellent form over fences and was a fine runner-up to Monkfish in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival. Had to settle for second place in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury earlier this season, while was last seen finishing second at Ascot, so Colin Tizzard's charge heads to Aintree in fine fettle and is a leading British-trained challenger.

12. Two For Gold - K Bailey

Ended last season falling in the Topham Chase at Aintree, so will hope for better luck over the National course this time. Two For Gold heads to Merseyside in fine form as wins at Doncaster and Lingfield earned his place in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase, and he was a gallant runner-up to the classy Fakir D'Oudairies in a career best, so if he can continue on an upward curve then he has to be respected.

13. Santini - P Gundry

A Grade 1 winner of the Sefton Novices' Hurdle back in 2018 at Aintree, Santini continued to blossomed for Nicky Henderson, as he finished second in both the RSA Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Lost his way in recent times and has switched to Polly Gundry's yard, and he was last seen failing to land a blow in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month. A dour stayer, Santini is sure to continue to plug on for the marathon event.

14. Samcro - G Elliott

One of racing's star novice hurdlers back in 2018, Samcro was a sparkling winner of the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and then followed up a year later by winning the 2019 Marsh Novices' Chase. However, he's failed to kick on and has struggled to get his head in front in recent times and was last seen finishing third at Down Royal in a mediocre contest.

15. Escaria Ten - G Elliott

Third in the 2021 National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Escaria Ten then disappointed when pulling up in last season's Irish Grand National. A well beaten eighth in the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park in January was a disappointing effort, but he showed an improved level of form when just being edged out by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase in February. Will face a tough task to reverse that form here, but could be one that relishes the National test.

16. Good Boy Bobby - N Twiston-Davies

A real consistent chaser that has won four and finished placed in five other of his 12 chase starts, and his career highlight came when he won the 2021 Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Only 4lbs higher than that mark for the Grand National, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained raider was last seen finishing seventh in the Coral Trophy at Kempton, but the Naunton inmate has to be in with a squeak of making the placings here.

17. Romain De Senam - D Pipe

Some decent form on his CV while under the stewardship of Paul Nicholls and then Dan Skelton, but failed to show anything on his first run for David Pipe in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxter last month, as he was pulled up. Hard to see him having the ability to down some classier rivals here.

18. Coko Beach - G Elliott

Having won the 2021 Thyestes Handicap Chase and then a Grade 2 novice chase, Coko Beach looked a potential staying star of the future, but Gordon Elliott's raider has gone off the boil over the last year and will need to bounce back to form to feature here. Sixth in the Thyestes earlier in the season, he was last seen finishing last of four in the Bobbyjo Chase behind Any Second Now and Escaria Ten, and it's going to be tough to reverse that form.

19. De Rasher Counter - E Lavelle

A stunning winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury back in 2019, De Rasher Counter's career has failed to blossom since then as a lengthy time off the track saw his progression halted. Returning at Newbury after a 489-day break , De Rasher Counter was handed the tough task of the Grade 2 Denman Chase in February, and he was a creditable fourth. He should improve for that outing, but it's a tough ask against some more in-form horses, but off 149 he can't be discounted.

20. Kildisart - B Pauling

A winner of the Betway Handicap Chase at Aintree's Grand National festival back in 2019, Kildisart has some very smart form in the book when at his best - including a second placed finish in the Ultima at Cheltenham and a creditable seventh in the 2020 Ladbrokes Trophy. Returned from over a year off the track with a decent fourth in the Greatwood Gold Cup last time out, and Ben Pauling's charge should come on bundles for that, so is an eye-catching contender.

21. Discorama - P Nolan

Seventh in the 2021 Grand National off a mark of 149, Discorama will line up in the 2022 running off a 1lb lower mark, so he's attractively handicapped to improve on last season's effort. Second at Fairyhouse on his last start for Paul Nolan, Discorama heads to Aintree in decent form, and with the benefit of last year's experience he could be a potential spring from the Irish-trained runners.

22. Top Ville Ben - P Kirby

A fine winner of the 2019 Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby, Top Ville Ben has been a regular in top staying chases in recent times, but he was a faller in the Becher Chase earlier in the season, so he will need to iron out any jumping issues he had over the National fences. Last seen finishing second over hurdles, he will come on for that effort and a return to the chasing sphere should bring him on and he's a lively outsider.

23. Enjoy D'allen - C Murphy

Progressed with every run last season as he rocketed up the ratings, and Enjoy D'allen ended last season finishing an excellent third in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. A creditable third placed finish in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December off a mark of 145, he lines up off a 3lbs higher mark in the Grand National. Freshened up with a spin over hurdles last time out, Ciaran Murphy's charge is a real eye-catcher, who is open to more improvement.

24. Anibale Fly - A Martin

Set for his fourth start in the Grand National, Anibale Fly has finished in the top four in two of his three attempts, but was disappointing in last year's race as he was pulled up. Has previously competed at the highest level and gone close in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but Tony Martin's charge is now 12 years old had has regressed recently, so needs to bounce back here. Dangerously handicapped if recapturing some old form, but has shown no signs of performing to a high level this term.

25. Dingo Dollar - A Thomson

Second in last season's Scottish Grand National, Dingo Dollar has become a regular in top notch staying handicap chasers and the Sandy Thomson-trained raider will tackle the Grand National for the first time on Saturday. He showed promise when third in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle two starts ago, and was last seen finishing fifth at Kelso, but heads to Aintree as a real dour stayer, who could enjoy the test the Grand National offers.

26. Freewheelin Dylan - D McLoughlin

Produced a career best at the end of last season by bounding to victory over Run Wild Fred in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, but has failed to build on that effort and has been out of form of late. He unseated in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham two starts ago back in November, while he was pulled up over hurdles at Fairyhouse in January. Proven stayer, who will be doing all his best work late on, but could be too high in the handicap now.

27. Class Conti - W Mullins

Finished 15th in the 2021 Grand National, and runs in the 2022 renewal off a 2lbs lower mark, so the Willie Mullins-trained raider will be eager to improve on last year's showing. Ninth in the Thyestes Handicap Chase two starts ago, Class Conti was last seen finishing 11th of 12 in the Leinster National, so he needs a lot more to show here.

28. Noble Yeats - E Mullins

Beat subsequent Arkle runner-up Gabynako in a beginners chase in 2021, Noble Yeats has failed to get his head in front since, but the Emmet Mullins-trained could be capable of landing a blow off 147 if performing at his best. Five-and-a-half lengths behind Ahoy Senor in the Grade 2 Towton Novices' Chase two starts ago, the seven-year-old was a creditable ninth in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month, so is in decent form heading to Aintree.

29. Mighty Thunder - L Russell

A stunning winner of the Scottish Grand National at Ayr at the end of last season, Midnight Thunder will now attempt to bag victory in the English equivalent on Saturday, but he will line up at Aintree off a 3lb higher mark, so will need a career best. Has struggled to land a blow this season and has pulled up in both the Welsh Grand National and Edinburgh National, but he's a real dour stayer that will relish the test of this contest, so is of slight interest.

30. Cloth Cap - J O'Neill

Sent off an 11/2 favourite for last year's Grand National, but failed to complete as he was pulled up. A former winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, who is a real class act on his day, Cloth Cap was last seen finishing a well beaten third in the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase, but lining up off a 1lb lower mark in the 2022 race then Jonjo O'Neill's charge will look to land a blow this time around.

31. Snow Leopardess - C Longsdon

A well-supported grey, Snow Leopardess heads to Aintree as the form horse as having won the Becher Chase over the National fences in fine style, Charlie Longsdon's mare was last seen cruising to victory at Exeter, and goes in search of a fourth win on the bounce on Saturday. Challenging for favouritism, Snow Leopardess is a fascinating contender here, and has to be on the shortlist for punters.

32. Agusta Gold - W Mullins

Placed in ten of his 14 chases, Agusta Gold has only tasted victory twice over fences during her career, but the Willie Mullins-trained raider will look to enhance that record on Saturday in the Grand National. Pulled up in both the Paddy Power Chase and Thyestes Handicap Chase, the Closutton inmate showed improvement last time out when finishing second at Down Royal in March, but she needs more again to play a prominent role.

33. Commodore - V Williams

Smooth jumping, front-running grey who produced a sparkling display to win a handicap chase at Cheltenham earlier in the season, and Commodore is one that could really excel over the National fences. Handed a 9lbs rise for that 15-length success at Cheltenham, and could be open to more improvement here.

34. Deise Aba - P Hobbs

Fifth in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival a few seasons ago, Deise Aba has been a regular in top notch staying handicap chases in recent times and he's racked up three second placed finishes this season, with his only disappointment coming in the Welsh Grand National when he pulled up. An intriguing runner at the bottom of the weights, who could be one that relishes the hustle and bustle of a Grand National.

35. Blaklion - D Skelton

A former Grade 1 winner of the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival back in 2016, Blaklion was also a fine victor in the 2017 Becher Chase at Aintree, so he has a track record over the Aintree fences. Now, 13, Blaklion will line up in the Grand National for the fourth time and having finished fourth in the 2017 race, he was brought down 12 months later, while he was an excellent sixth in last year's race off 145. Lining up off the same mark here, the veteran will be looking to roll back the years.

36. Poker Party - H De Bromhead

A fine winner of the 2019 Kerry National at Listowel, Poker Party has found it tough to kick on from that success, and he's racked up two unplaced efforts in the Paddy Power and Thyestes Chase this season, and he was last seen pulling up in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Significant work to do if he is to play any sort of role here.

37. Death Duty - G Elliott

A former Grade 1-winning novice chaser, Death Duty has snuck in at the bottom of the handicap for the 2022 Grand National, and having won the Punchestown Grand National Trial two starts ago, the Gordon Elliott-trained raider is a fascinating runner. A creditable sixth when well fancied in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, Death Duty could be a potentially exciting challenger off a featherweight.

38. Domaine De L'Isle - S Curran

 A 22-length fourth behind Snow Leopardess in the Becher Chase at Aintree earlier in the season, Sean Curran's Domaine De L'Isle tried to land victory in the Eider Chase at Newcastle last time out, but was only able to finish 10th of 16. So, he will need to show a improved level of form to play a part in this event, and it's hard to see him having enough class to figure.

39. Eclair Surf - E Lavelle

A really progressive staying chaser this season, Emma Lavelle's Eclair Surf produced a career best to storm to an emphatic 13-length victory in the Classic Chase at Warwick before this proven mudlark went on to finish a gallant runner-up off a 10lbs higher mark in the Eider Chase at Newcastle. If he gets a run, he will line up off the same mark of 143, so he could be potentially ahead of the handicapper on ratings, and he's one that will relish this test of stamina.

40. Fortescue - H Daly

On an upward curve this season, Henry Daly's Fortescue was a creditable seventh in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury at the start of the season and two starts ago ran a fine race when third to Royale Pagaille in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock. However, he showed his best form last time out when beating Colin Tizzard's Fiddlerontheroof in a Listed contest at Ascot, and he looks an eye-catching contender at the bottom of the weights.

Reserves - Cut off 1pm on Friday

41. Commodore - V Williams

A front-running grey, who produced a sparkling round of jumping to claim a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham in December, Commodore is one that would certainly relish the test Aintree provides a horse. Venetia Williams has had her horses in great form all season, and were he to sneak in as a reserve he would be an interesting contender off a low weight.

42. School Boy Hours - N Meade

Was a fabulous winner of the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December, and that victory meant he was sent off a clear favourite for the Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. But, Noel Meade's charge failed to land any sort of blow in that hot handicap chase, so he will need to bounce back to form here, if he is to gain a run as a reserve.