Ten-year-old mare favoured in Grand National

Aintree, Saturday 9 April: The Grand National (6th race/16.15/1m pounds/6907m), run as a Group 3 Handicap Chase and fully booked with 40 horses, is the standout event at Aintree today.

Minella Times (Rachael Blackmore) is one of those in contention as last year`s winner, but a good performance from the nine-year-old is doubtful after two misses in preparation. Owner John McManus has two more hot irons in the fire in the form of Any Second Now (Mark Walsh) and Enjoy d`Allen (Conor Orr), who romped in the Bobbyjo Chase (Group 3) at Fairyhouse. The English bookmakers have picked Snow Leopardess (Aidan Coleman) as the favourite. The ten-year-old has three wins to her name. Here, the hope of trainer Charlie Longsdon, who is already working as a broodmare, won a Group 3 Handicap Chase in December. Escaria Ten (A. Heskin) brought the aforementioned Any Second Now to the brink of defeat, he should have a good chance as should Burrows Saint (Paul Townend) who came in 42 lengths back. Five horses are entered in the race by Gordon Elliott for Gigginstown House Stud. Among those meant are Delta Work (Jack Kennedy), successful at Cheltenham, and Run Wild Fred (Davy Russell), who finished a good second in an amateur ride the day before. Eclair Surf (Tom Bellamy) runs reliably to the front and, like Longhouse Poet (Darragh O`Keeffe) and Fiddlerontheroof (Brendan Powell) who have stood out with good performances, would be no surprise as winners.