What time does the Grand National start: Everything you need to know about the 167th Grand National at Aintree

A look ahead to this weekend's race at Aintree

Auroras Encore ridden by Ryan Mania celebrates winning last year's Grand National (GETTY IMAGES)

It’s that time of year again. The Grand National returns to Aintree for the 167th time this weekend, with the Rebecca Curtis-trained Teaforthree favourite (at the time of writing) to win the four-and-a-half mile race. Other well-fancied horses include Monbeg Dude and Long Run, while Tony McCoy takes the saddle on Double Seven and last year’s winning jockey, Ryan Mania, is on Mr Moonshine.

The last time the favourite won the race was in 2008, when Comply or Die held off the challenge of King Johns Castle to win by four lengths. In fact, the last two winners of the race have gone off at a big price (Auroras Encore was 66/1 last year and Neptune Collonges won at 33/1 in 2012) and only four outright favourites have won the race since 1990.

Around 70,000 spectators will visit Aintree on Saturday afternoon, with this race the undoubted feature.

RACE START: Saturday, 4.15pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

2013
Winner: Auroras Encore, 66/1
Second: Cappa Bleu, 12/1
Third: Teaforthree, 10/1
Fourth: Oscar Time, 66/1
Fifth: Rare Bob, 16/1

2012
Winner: Neptune Collonges, 33/1
Second: Sunnyhillboy, 16/1
Third: Seabass, 8/1
Fourth: Cappa Bleu, 16/1
Fifth: In Compliance, 100/1

2011
Winner: Ballabriggs, 14/1
Second: Oscar Time, 14/1
Third: Don’t Push It, 9/1
Fourth: State of Play, 28/1
Fifth: Niche Market, 16/1

STATS…

Saturday’s race is the 167 Grand National

The first televised Grand National was in 1960 - jockey Gerry Scott rode Merryman II to victory

For only the second time in 26 years, no horses fell at the first fence in 2013

Red Rum (1973, 1974 and 1977) has won the race more times than any other horse

Two of the last five winning horses were trained in France (Mon Mome and Neptune Collonges)

Last year’s winning horse, Auroras Encore, won the race at 66/1

ODDS…

Teaforthree: 11.00

Monbeg Dude: 13.50

Long Run: 14.50

Double Seven: 18.00

Rocky Creek: 19.00

CLASSIC RACE

Grand National 1967, won by Foinavon

Foinavon’s triumph in 1967 was perhaps the most bizarre victory in Grand National history. The 100/1 shot was seemingly out of the picture but benefitted from a mass pile-up involving loose horses at the 23 fence. A total of 29 riders were brought down and Foinavon, ridden by jockey John Buckingham, negotiated the jump and went on to win ahead of 15/2 favourite Honey End, who remounted after the carnage.

TV: Live on Channel 4 at 4.15pm