The Grand National is back for 2022, and is set to be an especially huge occasion this year.
That is because the crowds have returned to Aintree for the first time in three years. The race was called off in 2020 as the pandemic hit, and last year it was run in front of empty grandstands as the punters had to stay away.
After winning that crowd-less race, Minella Times and jockey Rachael Blackmore are back again this year hoping to defy the odds and claim a historic back-to-back success. But it will not be easy, considering the defending champion will be carrying the top weight of 11st 10lbs.
Instead, the favourite is Snow Leopardess, with Any Second Now and Delta Work also expected to be among the front-runners. Minella Times still has the fourth shortest odds despite the weight he must carry, while Escaria Ten completes the top five most fancied horses.
Even beyond those, there are plenty of other runners who are in with a chance of victory at Aintree on Saturday. And if you fancy a punt but can't figure out which contender is the one for you, then we have the perfect tool for you...
Pick your Grand National 2022 horse
Our annual Pick Your Grand National Horse gadget has been updated. The 40 runners for this year’s National have all been included encompassing the latest odds and stats for each horse and jockey.
The gadget ranks each horse on its form, its handicap, its jockey’s record, and its odds. Simply slide the horses on each bar to match the kind of horse you want to back.
Want the top jockey? Then slide the horse on the jockey bar to the right and towards the finishing post. If you want the favourite, then slide the horse on the odds bar to the right.
You can't slide all of the horses right to the finishing line. The combined distance travelled of all the horses can only be as far as two whole bars. So choose wisely!
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