LAST year’s winner Many Clouds will bid to emulate Red Rum by winning back-to-back runnings as 40 horses line up for the Grand National today.Jockey Leighton Aspell, also successful in 2014 on Pineau De Re, is seeking a historic third consecutive victory in the famous race over 30 fences.
Coverage of the £1M race is expected to be watched by 600 million people worldwide.
Bookmakers say more than £150M will be wagered on the race.
Two-time winner Ruby Walsh, who was set to ride Sir Des Champs, was ruled out with a fractured wrist after falling twice yesterday.
The Aintree showpiece – run over nearly four and a half miles – has been put back an hour to 17:15 BST, avoiding a clash with the afternoon’s football fixtures, in an effort to increase audience figures.
Contenders have to negotiate obstacles such as Becher’s Brook and The Chair, and no horse has won back-to-back runnings since triple-winner Red Rum in the 1970s.
But Aspell believes Many Clouds, rated 7-1 favourite yesterday, can defy top weight for trainer Oliver Sherwood.
“I think he’s the worthy favourite. I would choose Many Clouds for his experience and class. He’s possibly still improving,” said Aspell, 39.
However, the jockey did concede that Silviniaco Conti, a seven-time winner of Grade One races at the highest level, had the capability to “make a mockery” of his 12-1 odds.
Red Rum in the Grand National:
1973: Won
1974: Won
1975: Second
1976: Second
1977: Won (BBC Sport)