Grand National LIVE: Full results as Tiger Roll holds of Pleasant Company in photo finish
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The 2018 Grand National takes place on Saturday evening with a reduced field of 38 runners going to post after a flurry of late withdrawals, with the field wide open in one of the most unpredictable races of the year.
Three horses pulled out on Friday in Minella Rocco, Vicente and Beeves, with Walk In The Mill and Regal Encore being withdrawn on the morning of the race, leaving the field at a shortened 38-horse field. But with betting expected to surpass the £150m barrier for the first time, interest in the big race has not taken any such hit.
In what is the most famous steeplechase on the planet, the Grand National remains the marquee event of the jumps season in a race that is almost impossible to call given the dangers that lie over the 30 fences and the vast side of field competing.
With the race due to begin at 17:15 BST, you can follow all the latest here.
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What time does it start?
The Grand National begins at 17:15 BST on Saturday 14 April.
Where can I watch it?
The race will be shown live on ITV from 14:00 and on the ITV Hub online and on their app.
Full list of runners
1) THUNDER AND ROSES (Mouse Morris) 3 (out of 10)
Fell on his last two starts, which does not inspire confidence. Replaces Minella Rocco.
2) BLAKLION (Nigel Twiston-Davies) 7
Been in fine form since finishing fourth last year, but beaten a long way at Haydock last time out. Should still make his presence felt.
3) ANIBALE FLY (Tony Martin) 7
Career-best performance to take third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time, and looks a worthy ally for one of the shrewdest trainers in the game.
4) THE LAST SAMURI (Kim Bailey) 5
Runner-up in 2016, but not getting any younger and might find a few too sharp, despite showing up well at Cheltenham in the Cross Country .
5) VALSEUR LIDO (Henry de Bromhead) 4
Grade One winner in his pomp but things have not quite gone his way this year and others preferred.
6) TOTAL RECALL (Willie Mullins) 9
Fell in the Gold Cup but had previously been on fire over fences and hurdles. A big run looks guaranteed if he can stay on his feet.
7) ALPHA DES OBEAUX (Mouse Morris) 3
Trainer knows what it takes to win this race, but recent performances do not inspire confidence and best look elsewhere.
8) PERFECT CANDIDATE (Fergal O'Brien) 3
In-and-out performer and pulled up last year. Hard to make a case for.
9) SHANTOU FLYER (Richard Hobson) 4
Served connections well with a string of second-place finishes, but this is a different ball game.
10) TENOR NIVERNAIS (Venetia Williams) 2
Trainer won this with a 100-1 shot, but it would almost be a miracle for lightning to strike twice.
11) CARLINGFORD LOUGH (John Kiely) 4
Prolific Grade One winner in his halcyon days but he has regressed in recent times and is now 12 years old.
12) DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR (Sue Smith) 4
Four miles appeared to stretch him earlier in the year so far from certain to stay.
13) TIGER ROLL (Gordon Elliott) 10
Stunning winner at the Cheltenham Festival for a third time and looks a very well-handicapped horse. Proven levels of stamina and no issues with the ground. Massive chance.
14) REGAL ENCORE (Anthony Honeyball) 6 - NON-RUNNER
Won a nice contest at Ascot last time and finished eighth in the race last year. Might go well at big odds.
15) VIEUX LION ROUGE (David Pipe) 6
Largely struggled this season, but he knows the Aintree terrain pretty well and no surprise if his wily trainer had him spot-on for the big day.
16) CHASE THE SPUD (Fergal O'Brien) 4
Won nicely at Haydock in November but pulled up on his last two starts and needs to find something extra special to get involved.
17) WARRIORS TALE (Paul Nicholls) 6
Enters new territory over this sort of trip, but he is a decent jumper and is with the right connections to fight for a bit of each-way money.
18) SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT (Sandy Thomson) 7
Not an ideal preparation, but he has plenty of admirers and is definitely capable of having a big say following a reassuring comeback at Newbury.
19) GAS LINE BOY (Ian Williams) 6
Not getting any younger, but he is a sound operator over these fences. Solid each-way claims.
20) THE DUTCHMAN (Colin Tizzard) 7
Pulled up in a National trial in February, but suffered broken blood vessels. Interesting horse if back to the form that saw him win the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.
21) PLEASANT COMPANY (Willie Mullins) 5
Sparingly campaigned since finishing ninth last year, but needs to take a huge step up on his two runs this season.
22) UCELLO CONTI (Gordon Elliott) 6
Disappointing when pulled up in the Thyestes last time, but his previous second to Anibale Fly makes him one for the shortlist and he has once again been campaigned for this race.
23) SAINT ARE (Tom George) 5
Thrives on the National challenge, having placed twice, but yet to show any sparkle in two starts this term.
24) WALK IN THE MILL (Robert Walford) 2
Pulled up last time, hard to see him bouncing back here.
25) RAZ DE MAREE (Gavin Cromwell) 6
Winner of the Welsh National and saved for this race. Testing conditions would aid his chances.
26) I JUST KNOW (Sue Smith) 5
Could give his supporters a decent run for their money judged on Catterick run in January, but this is a much tougher test.
27) VIRGILIO (Dan Skelton) 2
Classy in his younger days, not shown much this year and not a player.
28) BAIE DES ILES (Ross O'Sullivan) 8
Looks likely to be suited by the distance after running a fine trial at Punchestown and will want for nothing in the saddle with Katie Walsh booked.
29) MAGGIO (Patrick Griffin) 4
The trip may prove beyond him, although he has safely negotiated the National fences once.
30) PENDRA (Charlie Longsdon) 5
Jumped round in 2016, but ground would be a worry.
31) BUYWISE (Evan Williams) 6
Scored his first win in three years at Sandown back in January and while talented on his day, he does need things to fall right for him.
32) CHILDRENS LIST (Willie Mullins) 4
Beat Grade One winner Edwulf in 2016 but has not shown that form in two subsequent outings.
33) LORD WINDERMERE (Jim Culloty) 6
A former Gold Cup winner, he was an eyecatching seventh in the National last year after a troubled run off a 3lb higher mark, but only one run since.
34) CAPTAIN REDBEARD (Stuart Coltherd) 5
Distance is a question mark and found The Dutchman far too good on his penultimate start.
35) HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (Venetia Williams) 4
Tenth last year but hard to win with nowadays.
36) BLESS THE WINGS (Gordon Elliott) 5
Pulled up last time, although capable on his day.
37) MILANSBAR (Neil King) 6
Will stay all day and should give Bryony Frost a nice National introduction, but might lack the necessary class.
38) FINAL NUDGE (David Dennis) 5
His third in the Welsh National gives him a squeak, although this is a sterner test.
39) DOUBLE ROSS (Nigel Twiston-Davies) 5
Has dropped down the ratings a fair bit, but has jumped round Aintree before and ran well at Cheltenham last time.
40) ROAD TO RICHES (Noel Meade) 4 - NON-RUNNER
A Grade One winner in his day but nowhere near that form now.
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Grand National, the biggest steeplechase event of the year.
With the action set to get underway at 17:15 BST, we'll bring you all the preview coverage and build-up that you'll need, including tips on who to back, how you can pick the winning horse and the latest news on any last-minute withdrawals - there's already been quite a few!
Our coverage will begin in full from 16:00, but until then you can take a look at who you should stake your money on with our comprehensive betting guide below.
Racing's just getting underway in the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle, the final event before the National, meaning that the bis one is less than an hour away.
Want to be on the National but not sure who?
Look no further than Ed Malyon's Grand National betting preview, with a number of appetising tips that might just tickle your fancy.
Identity Thief wins the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle!
The 12/1 shot pulls clear of the field on the home straight to seal an impressive victory!
Results:
1. Identity Thief - 12/1
2. Wholestone 7/2
3. Sam Spinner - 6/5F
That means we can finally turn our attention towards the big one, the 2018 Grand National!
Of course, being the most famous race in the world attracts a significant of punters who aren't your normal racing fan, so how can they make themselves look clued up on all the key bits of information at Aintree?
Luckily, Great British Racing have provided this perfect Bluffers Guide to keep you in the know.
Betting update:
Total Recall is on the move and is being rated as 11/1 favourite - and is even as short as 8/1 with some bookies which is a quite incredible status given how unpredictable this race is set-up to be. Anibale Fly remains in touch at 12/1, along with Blaklion and The Last Samuri.
Not sure who's still running after the wave of withdrawals? Here's a full list of the runners and riders:
Could we see our first female jockey to win the National in its 172 year-history? Katie Walsh is one of three women in the field, riding Baie Des Iles
Latest odds
Total Recall - 8/1
Anibale Fly - 10/1
Tiger Roll - 10/1
Seeyouatmidnight - 12/1
DRAMA!
The Last Samuri, one of the favoured horses heading into the race, is being taken back to the stables and may be out of this one before it's started. It could also be an attempted to cool him down as he does look a bit fired up, and ITV report that they still expect him to race at present.
Meanwhile, here come the jockeys!
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