Running Plans

Here are some pointers from trainers and trainers with regards to which of their horses are likely to line up in the big race:

David Pipe (won the race in 2008)
Is 'leaning towards' the Grand National for top weight Madison Du Berlais, but the horse could also run in the totesport Bowl at Aintree, at the Punchestown Festival - or Ayr, in the Scottish National. Pipe's other runners will be Comply or Die, The Package, Piraya and Pablo Du Charmil. Rates The Package as his best hope, although he's still sweet on former winner Comply or Die and says stable jockey Timmy Murphy has a tough choice. Another former winning rider Graham Lee will be on whichever horse he rejects.

Nigel Twiston Davies (won the race in 1998 and 2002)
Plans to run Irish Raptor (ridden by stable jockey Paddy Brennan), Beat The Boys (Brian Hughes), Ballyfitz (David England), Ollie Magern (Tom Malloy), Hello Bud (possibly ridden by his son Sam) and Knowhere (Brian Harding). He rates Irish Raptor as his best chance of success.

Dessie Hughes
Will run both of his Becher Chase winners, Black Apalachi and Vic Venturi, and says that there's 'nothing between them'.

JP McManus (owner of several placed horses)
Could have as many as four contenders - Arbor Supreme (with jockey Paul Townend on board), Can't Buy Time, Don't Push It (Tony McCoy will have the choice of these two, with Richie McLernon riding the other) and possibly King's John Castle (Paul Carberry), who finished 2nd in 2008.

Paul Nicholls (champion trainer)
Big Fella Thanks (the pick of Ruby Walsh) and Tricky Trickster (due to be ridden by Barry Geraghty) are both definite starters, along with Nozic (with last year's winning jockey Liam Treadwell in the saddle) and last year's third My Will.

Willie Mullins (won the race in 2005)
Snowy Morning (3rd in 2008) will definitely be joining Arbor Supreme (Paul Townend) in the race, although due to an injury sustained by jockey David Casey a ride has to be confirmed. These will be his only two runners in the race. Stablemates Ballytrim and Equus Maximus all ran in Monday's Irish National instead.

Philip Hobbs
2009 Welsh National winner Dream Alliance will run in the race with Tom O'Brien riding.

Venetia Williams (last year's winning trainer)
Last year's winner Mon Mome will take his chance again, even if the weights rise. Stable jockey Aidan Coleman is due to ride this year.

Jimmy Mangan (won the race in 2004)
Hopes to run two horses, Conna Castle and Whinstone Boy, although the participation of the latter relies on 6 horses above him in the handicap coming out.

Tom Mullins
Chelsea Harbour was ruled out of the race due to a setback, but he still hopes to have Made In Taipan providing the forecast rain continues at Aintree.