Tom Scudamore gives his Grand National day picks

2:30 Aintree

I’m sure Crebilly will be very popular in this after his run at Cheltenham, but he just didn’t jump with the same fluency that he has in the past, and I think ultimately that’s what cost him. He’d have a huge chance if he gets into a better rhythm here, but at the prices I think I’d rather be with the Coral Trophy winner Forward Plan. I was really impressed with him that day, and the fact he’s skipped Cheltenham and come straight here puts a big tick in his box for me.

Forward Plan odds: 6/1

3:05 Aintree

Even though he doesn’t have the same level of form at the highest level as the majority of the other runners, I’d take a chance on Botox Has here at a bit of a price. He won very impressively at Haydock the last day, and if the ground is similarly testing here, then I think he’s capable of running a big race. I’d say Sire Du Berlais will be the main danger, and even at the age of 12, I thought he ran a very good race in the Stayers Hurdle last time, so I’d have enormous respect for him.

Botox Has odds: 12/1

4:00 Aintree

It’s a case of my head and my heart being in unison here, and I really do think Corach Rambler will win his second Grand National. He was as an impressive winner of the Grand National as I’ve ever seen last year, and although he has to shoulder a lot more weight this year, that wouldn’t overly concern me. He might have appreciated slightly better ground here, but he ran a cracker in the Gold Cup on testing ground last month, and that should have put him spot on for this.

I suppose the only slight concern I’d have would be that he does have his own ideas, and he’s a bit of a character, so it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility that he gets there and just decides he doesn’t fancy doing it again after last year. Having said that, I think his form coming into the race this year has been excellent, and providing he keeps his mind on the job, then I think he can join that exclusive club of horses that have retained their Grand National crown.

I think the main danger will be Meetingofthewaters for Willie Mullins, but if I had to take a swing at one at a price, I’d go with one of Gordon Elliott’s in the shape of Chemical Energy. I know we haven’t seen him since the Kerry National, but he’s always struck me as a Grand National horse, and I suspect they’ve been wanting to keep him fresh for this for a little while.

Corach Rambler odds: 13/2

Chemical Energy odds: 40/1

5:00 Aintree

Etalon is very interesting stepping up to this higher level, but I think I’ll just side with the McManus horse Hercule Du Seuil. He ran up a proper sequence in graded races in Ireland last year, and he comes here very fresh after a break, so I’m sure Willie Mullins will have him primed for this assignment. The form of his win at Punchestown in October hasn’t worked out brilliantly, but he’s a young horse who should still be improving, and I think he’s capable of making it six wins on the bounce in this.

Hercule Du Seuil odds: 11/2

5:35 Aintree

I can’t really get away from Mister Meggit here, and I’d have definitely fancied him if they’d have taken him to Cheltenham. He’s won his two starts to date in the fashion of a very classy horse, and both of those wins came on testing ground, so I don’t suspect conditions will be a problem for him. Tripoli Flyer is another who really impressed me last time when winning at Lingfield on the all-weather, but I suspect they took him there because he wants decent ground, so he might not be seen to best effect in these conditions.

Mister Meggit odds: 9/4

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