Grand National: Harry Allwood's predicted 1-2-3-4 plus Aintree best bet

We are now just 48 hours away from this year's renewal of the Randox Grand National at Aintree, and that's probably a similar amount of time I've spent studying the race this week. 

The world's greatest steeplechase looks a stellar renewal on paper, with multiple Grade One winners, Cheltenham Festival winners and a previous winner of the Aintree showpiece among the final field of 34 declared.

The ground is good to soft, at the time of writing, and that is unlikely to change, so I think class could come to the fore again.

It was a shame last year's winner Nick Rockett was ruled out on Thursday morning, but the rest of the expected runners have been declared. And if you're after more tips and views ahead of the Randox Grand National, there's an abundance of other content to enjoy on racingtv.com. Click here to read more.

Best of luck with your bets, and don't forget to enjoy the race live on Racing TV at 4.00pm on Saturday.

Best odds: 10-1.

Represents last year's winning father-and-son team of Patrick and Willie Mullins, and the pair look to hold strong claims of repeating the feat again this year with Grangeclare West.

He was arguably an unlucky loser 12 months ago having made a bad mistake at the last before staying on strongly, and the RaceiQ data also showcases just how luckless he was.

His two best performances this year - when fourth in the Savills Chase, and when winning the BAR 1 Betting Bobbyjo Chase last time out - suggest he's still in his prime, despite now being ten, and I Am Maximus (2024) and Nick Rockett (2025) won that Fairyhouse contest en route to Grand National glory. 

Appeared to relish this course and distance last year (he gained 8.36 lengths via his jumping, according to the RaceiQ data) and a 3lb higher mark should not stop him from going close again. He ticks plenty of boxes. 

Best odds: 8-1. 

Stormed to victory in 2024 off a rating of 159, and went agonisingly close off an 8lb higher mark 12 months later. His performance can be upgraded, though, as he endured an interrupted preparation having missed the Bobbyjo Chase, and that probably took its toll late on. 

Bids to become the first contender to carry top weight to victory since Red Rum in the 1970s, although is only a pound higher than last year, and that effort suggests he's more than capable of defying a rating of 168.

His runner-up effort in the Savills Chase this season was not far off a career best, and I expect his Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup effort last time out was a stepping stone to another Randox Grand National bid.

Will be hard to keep out of the frame with another clear round.

Best odds: 16-1.

It was hard not to be impressed with the style of Captain Cody's success in last year's Coral Scottish Grand National where, according to the RaceiQ data, he clocked the Top Speed (33mph), had the best FSP (106.89%), and gained 12.36 via his jumping. He also won with a huge amount to spare.

A marathon trip clearly brought out the best in him there, along with a fine ride from Harry Cobden, who delivered him late. One negative is he can race exuberantly, so expect him to ridden patiently here, and Johnny Burke will no doubt be looking to pounce late.

If he can get into a nice rhythm over the National fences, then it's unlikely many contenders will be staying on better than him based on the evidence of his Scottish National win, and while a career-high rating of 152 demands more, he has had excuses this season, plus the return to spring ground is a major positive. 

Best odds: 14-1.

Probably found things happening too quickly for him early when a staying-on fourth in this race last year, and a 5lb higher mark now demands more.

However, there are reasons to believe he can sneak into a place again. He was given a wind op after his Grand National exertions last year, and returned with an eye-catching second behind King George winner The Jukebox Man at Haydock. Impressed when winning at Ascot afterwards, and scoped dirty following his run in the Ultima last time out, so that outing can be excused. 

This will have been his aim all season, and looks to have improved again, while he also has valuable course experience. Would prefer the ground slightly softer, but has enough class and stamina to run well again. 

Best odds: 5-1. 

I'm hoping connections will gain compensation after they were forced to rule their rapidly-improving eight-year-old out of the BetMGM Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, which he was one of the market leaders for.

He appeared to hold leading claims in that contest after making light work of a rating of 129 over this course and distance in December, and his runner-up effort behind Tutti Quanti, who won the William Hill Hurdle on his next outing, at Newbury is strong form. 

Relished the step up to 2m4f last time out, and while he has not been seen since December, Olly Murphy has operated at a 32 per cent strike-rate in the past fortnight, and I doubt Indeevar Bleu will be lacking for fitness here. He's also won twice returning from longer absences in the past, and returns from another wind op.

The manner of his latest win suggests a rating of 138 still underestimates him, and he should have more to offer.