Punters are out in force on the National. Here is a selection from the bbc blog:
Grand National tipster 1
"It's almost here again, and I can't wait. I've been fortunate enough to select the winner 6 times in the last 9 years, plus a second place.
"Plenty of the fancied ante-post horses have been dropping out which I think has narrowed the selections down a little. The ground will be important, and coming from Liverpool I can tell you it hasn't rained here for at least three weeks, so unless there's a deluge it will be fast ground.
"I had liked Simon but I think he'll prefer a softer surface. Point Barrow looks very interesting. I exclude Fench breds and top weights, so although hedgehunter will I'm sure run well, I can't see him lumping 11 st 12 to victory. An outsider I also really like is Bewley's Berry. Came 2nd to Eurotrek in the Beecher and was staying on well enough. Get's a pull in the weights, and a couple of seasons ago gave Exotic Dancer a good race, so the potential is there, and he jumps like a stag. I'll probably change my mind again before the day, but I always back two in the national and at the moment it's Point Barrow and Bewleys Berry for me."
Grand National Tipster 2
"The 3 horses I have in mind are Point Barrow, Eurotrek and Bothar Na. Here are the reasons why:
"Point Barrow - Fits most closely the recent profile of National winners (Irish trained, won or ran well in Irish National, form in many important Irish chases, prep run over hurdles to put spot on); well weighted, proven stayer, appropriate age, in good form, young jockey on the rise (similar scenario when Walsh, Carberry and Madden won)
"Eurotrek - Devoured the fences in hugely impressive manner when winning the Becher; course form; best when fresh (only 1 run all season); from top stable (admitedly no luck in previous Nationals bar Royal Auclair); big horse capable of carrying big weight; proven stayer (won major long distance race at Warwick last year; been aimed at the race for over a year.
"Bothar Na - Jumped fences very well in Foxhunters last year; carries confidence of Willie Mullins - trainer stated the horse would love the experience of the National; is considered a 'spring horse' suited by AIntree type conditions; has been laid out for race despite Hedgehunter seemingly stable #1; very well weighted; big, strong horse that should deal with the physical nature of the race better than most; right age for the race.
"I also like the ach way claims of Kelami and Longshanks, while the likes of Hedgehunter and Numbersixvalverde should run with great credit again."
Grand National Tipster 3
"Has two each way bets so far - jack high @ 33-1 and philson run @ 40-1.
"jack high was about the same price ante-post last year and was backed in massively to about 8 or 9-1 on race day. he unseated though about half way through so not sure how that would have turned out. "
Grand National Tipster 4
"I cant see anything carrying over 11st 3lbs winning. Horses carrying big weigths dont win Nationals nowadays. There are too many horses primed for the race that carry little weight.
Bewleys Berry for me."
Grand National Tipster 5
"Eurotrek is interesting, i just think 11st 8 is too great for him to overturn, the way i look at is, can he beat Hedgehunter giving him only 4 lbs? i dont think so. Do i think HH will win? no, thus my view is that Eurotrek can't win. Bewleys Berry is getting quite a bit of support....definitely ticks all the right boxes but maybe does not have that touch of class to win the national."
Grand National Tip 5
"Although the ground is dryin fast i still fancy SIMON to run a big race yes he loves soft ground but stable are confident that he wont mind the quicker ground one bit! others i fancy are... clan royal-big chance with a good weight,ballycassidy-loves fast ground and bothar na is definately 1 not to discount!"
Grand National Tipster 6
"Nothing carrying 11st or more will win the National. And in my opinion the winner will be Irish trained. The Irish trainers are very shrewd in getting their chasers a nice weight in the National by running them over hurdles and not having them fully wound up until April."
Grand National Tipster 7
"point barrow was good e/w at 16s but now hes only 10s.If he jumps round he wins.Same profile as no;sixval,and how many punters this side of the irish sea had heard of him untill last time?"