Grand National 2019: Tiger Roll heads field for Aintree race

By Frank Keogh

BBC Sport

Grand National water jump — Runners in Saturday's Grand National will have to negotiate 30 fences

Randox Health Grand National
Venue: Aintree Racecourse Date: Saturday, 6 April Time: 17:15 BST
Meeting: 4-6 April Coverage: BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra and BBC Sport website - more details

The 2018 Scottish National winner Joe Farrell is the last horse to make the line-up for Saturday's Grand National after Pairofbrowneyes was pulled out.

A field of 40 runners has been named, along with four reserves.

Hot favourite Tiger Roll, the 2018 winner, will bid to become the first horse since Red Rum - in 1973 and 1974 - to secure back-to-back victories.

Trainer Gordon Elliott, who also won with Silver Birch in 2007, has a record 13 contenders in the top 40.

The previous record number of National runners was 18 years ago when Martin Pipe saddled 10 in the race won by Red Marauder, trained by Norman Mason.

Pairofbrowneyes, trained by Willie Mullins, was about a 25-1 chance but will instead be aimed at the Irish Grand National later in April.

Joe Farrell, for Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis, had been backed earlier in the week before being guaranteed a run.

There were 69 entries left before Thursday's declarations, with a maximum of the 40 top-rated runners allowed to race.

The four reserves - who need a withdrawal if they are to make the line-up are: Just A Par, The Young Master, Isleofhopendreams, Exitas

A full Pinstickers' Guide to the race will be published on the BBC Sport website later on Thursday.

Approximate odds for the Grand National

7-2 Tiger Roll; 10-1 Rathvinden; 11-1 Anibale Fly; 12-1 Vintage Clouds; 14-1 Lake View Lad; 18-1 Joe Farrell, Pleasant Company, Rock The Kasbah; 20-1 Jury Duty; Mall Dini; 22-1 Step Back; 25-1 bar

Aintree's three-day meeting kicks off on Thursday with a number of top racehorses in action, including Clan Des Obeaux and Bristol De Mai in the Betway Bowl.

Another highlight on the first day is the Aintree Hurdle, where odds-on favourite Buveur D'Air returns after falling when going for a third Champion Hurdle win at Cheltenham last month.

Brain Power and Verdana Blue complete a Nicky Henderson trio facing the Willie Mullins duo Melon and Faugheen.

The first runners to compete over the National fences at this year's meeting will be in the Foxhunters' Chase for amateur riders.

Sam Waley-Cohen, a six-time winner over the obstacles, rides leading contender Road To Rome, while amputee jockey Guy Disney is again on board Gallery Exhibition after finishing 12th last year.