2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Felix Keith)
The Grand National is upon us, with 34 contenders ready to compete at 4pm today over four miles and two and a half furlongs at Aintree. Predicting the Grand National winner of this race is notoriously challenging due to the large number of participants and its length. However, that doesn't deter millions of punters from trying their luck each year.
What we all need is a bit of expert advice. While some are content to choose based on the jockey's colours, the horse's name, or a random guess, others prefer to have some knowledge about the competitors before placing their bets. We've gathered the views of tipsters, experts and jockey legends with the help of colleagues from the Mirror , and they had the same view.
David Yates (Mirror) Grand National tips 1. Perceval Legallois. 2.
I Am Maximus. 3. Duffle Coat.
4. Minella Cocooner. 5.
Beauport. 6. Henwick.
Mirror Sport's chief racing correspondent wrote: "The key to National glory is timing - the knack of reaching your peak when it matters most. And the eight-year-old Perceval Legallois - the name comes from a French film about the Knights of the Round Table - travels to Aintree with the perfect profile. Although he won just one of his four starts as a novice chaser last season - he fell twice - Perceval Legallois is putting it together now.
" He added: His British Horseracing Authority rating of 153 means Perceval Legallois carries 11st 12lb weight - a manageable weight. His jumping issues appear a thing of the past - it's worth pointing out the famous fences are not the formidable obstacles of yesteryear - and it's not hard to share Cromwell's view that, while he's unraced at beyond three miles, the gelding is likely to last home over the National's four-mile, two-furlong and 74-yard distance." John Hunt BBC Grand National tips 1.
Perceval Legallois 2. Iroko 3. Hewick 4.
Threeunderthrufive BBC Radio 5 Live racing commentator John Hunt, in a piece for BBC Sport, tipped Perceval Legallois to win, saying: "Gavin Cromwell attempts to become one of only a handful of trainers to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same season. He also has Stumptown and Vanillier, but Perceval Legallois comes here a fresh horse and has all the talent required to win a National." Ruby Walsh 1.
Perceval Legallois Meanwhile, jockey legend Ruby Walsh said: "I think Perceval Legallois is the one to be with myself. I thought he was a good winner of the Paddy Power. I think he's got some cracking runs in all the right top handicap chases, and Gavin Cromwell's horses are in great form.
I really like the chance of Perceval Legallois." His outside bet for the event is Fil Dor. "I could see him running into the money for Gordon Elliott, and I Am Maximus and Minella Cocooner, they'd be my two of Willie's, but Perceval Legallois would be the number one pick.
" Ed Chamberlian (ITV racing) Grand National tips ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin contributed his perspective as well, expressing his thoughts to The Telegraph: "Percival Legallois – trainer's not too bad and won a race I like as a National trial at Christmas . Suspect there's more to come.".
