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Who is going to win the Grand National 2022?

aintree racegoers

Planet Sport have gone through every runner in the 2022 Aintree Grand National to help you pick the best bets for the big one. Take a look at our horse by horse guide, including top tips.

The 2022 Randox Grand National is coming on Saturday, April 9 and, as usual, picking out the best horses from the 40 runner marathon race can be confusing, due to sheer weight of numbers.

Don't sweat it though as Planet Sport have a guide for each and every runner and we've rated each horse out of 5 stars.

1 star means a relative no-hoper while we move all the way through to 5 stars for a horse with a red hot chance of Grand National glory.

So here we go.

Number/horse/trainer/age

1) MINELLA TIMES (Henry de Bromhead) 9

Jockey - Rachael Blackmore

A brilliant winner last year under Rachael Blackmore, meaning he'll have to lump top weight this time around but that could mean he's the best horse in the race and who would discount the uber-talented Blackmore doing the double?

4 stars ****

2) DELTA WORK (Gordon Elliott) 9 - Planet Sport Top Pick

Jockey - Jack Kennedy

Connections reckon this one could be the new Tiger Roll for Gordon Elliott after beating the two-times National winner at Cheltenham.

Can jump and stay which are the two main features of a National Winner.

Huge player.

5 stars ***** 

3) SCHOOL BOY HOURS (Noel Meade) 9

Jockey - Sean Flanagan

Another tasty last minute addition to the National lineup, School Boy Hours won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown last December which is a useful pop race for this. Can't be discounted after slipping in under the radar.

4 stars ****

4) ANY SECOND NOW (Ted Walsh) 10

Jockey - Mark Walsh

Fancied in the market and been talked about as a contender for some time, being trained by Grand National expert Ted Walsh is a big tick.

The Bobbyjo win at Fairyhouse was great prep and looks like a no-brainer pick on paper.

5 stars *****

5) RUN WILD FRED (Gordon Elliott) 8

Jockey - Davy Russell

Stablemate to Delta Work, Davy Russell looks set to ride this consistent Troytown winner which is a huge bonus. Has plenty of talent just some question marks on the finishing speed at the National distance after a second in the National Hunt Challenge Cup at Cheltenham.

Can't be discounted though.

3 stars ***

6) LOSTINTRANSLATION (Colin Tizzard) 10

Jockey - Harry Cobden

Has plenty of ability for West Country trainer Tizzard but difficult not to think this one's career is going South after an eighth in the Ultima at Cheltenham.

Tizzard still keeps the faith, which is telling, but feels like there'll be quite a few better than this veteran.

2 stars **

7) BRAHMA BULL (Willie Mullins) 11

Jockey - Brian Hayes

With the same name as the nickname of WWE wrestling superstar The Rock, Brahma Bull represents the powerful Rich Ricci connections and was third in the Ladbrokes Trophy but hasn't pulled up any trees since.

Not without hope but its doubtful Brahma Bull will be cooking up a win.

2 stars **

8) BURROWS SAINT (Willie Mullins) 9

Jockey - Paul Townend

Representing the powerful Willie Mullins' stable and probably owner Rich Ricci's best chance at National glory in 2022, Burrows Saint was fourth in this race last year and then finished third in the Bobbyjo behind Any Second Now.

A solid entry likely to give you a run for your money, he could just find one or two better once more.

3 stars ***

9) MOUNT IDA (Gordon Elliott) 8

Jockey - Denis O'Regan

A capable mare for Gordon Elliott, Mount Ida won the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir at Cheltenham at 2020 and followed up with a Grade 3 win at Fairyhouse in January of this year.

A dud of a run last time out at the Cheltenham Festival can be put to one side and she remains an interesting prospect.

3 stars ***

10) LONGHOUSE POET (Martin Brassil) 8

Jockey - Darragh O'Keeffe

Irish trainer won this race in 2006 with Numbersixvalverde so knows what sort of profile makes a National Champion. Longhouse Poet looks a good fit at a good price, having won the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase just like Numbersixvalverde.

Any rain will benefit this stout 8-year-old who looks likely to write himself into proceedings.

5 stars *****

11) FIDDLERONTHEROOF (Colin Tizzard) 8

Jockey - Brendan Powell

Often there or there abouts, Fiddlerontheroof was a decent novice, finishing second in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham in 2021. A second in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury is solid form for this stayer that the Tizzards think the world of.

Has a touch of class that could see him a player at the business end.

4 stars ****

12) TWO FOR GOLD (Kim Bailey) 9

Jockey - David Bass

Veteran trainer Kim Bailey knows all there is to know about winning the Grand National. His Mr Frisk took the big one in 1990 and broke the course record.

Two For Gold has proved a faithful and money-spinning servant, beating the useful Dashel Drasher in the Fleur De Lys Chase. If jumping soundly, this one could weave his way through runners with the extended trip the only slight worry.

4 stars ****

13) SANTINI (Polly Gundry) 10

Jockey - Nick Scholfield

A winner over three miles while with Nicky Henderson, Santini has been given a new lease of life by Polly Gundry.

An obvious stayer who should relish the trip, you'd worry about Santini's finishing speed against younger horses in their prime.

2 stars **

14) SAMCRO (Gordon Elliott) 10

Jockey - Sean Bowen

One of six Gigginstown runners for Gordon Elliott, Samcro was once de rigeur but has struggled for form in the past year or so.

A 2020 win in the Marsh Novices' Chase at Cheltenham points to Samcro's ability but the 10-year-old's powers appear to be on the wane after a third last time out at Down Royal.

3 stars ***

15) ESCARIA TEN (Gordon Elliott) 8

Jockey - Adrian Heskin

Targeted at this race for a long time by the Grand National mad McNeill family, Escaria Ten has the right profile to give the Grand National a right good go.

Taking some time to bring to hand, Excaria Ten was only caught on the line by Grand National favourite Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo. This is the perfect opportunity to reverse the form and take the biggest prize in jumps racing.

4 stars ****

16) GOOD BOY BOBBY (Nigel Twiston-Davies) 9

Jockey - Daryl Jacob

A two-time winning Grand National trainer like Nigel Twiston-Davies can never be written off in this race and Good Boy Bobby represents leading owners in Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

A good, front-running Grade 3 win at Wetherby in December of last year shows that Good Boy Bobby can stay and he's another of the more interesting runners at a juicy price.

4 stars ****

17) ROMAIN DE SENAM (DAVID PIPE) 10

Jockey - Philip Armson

This one shouldn't have any of the established National entries sweating after pulling up last time out in the Midlands National.
David Pipe is well capable of pulling a winner out of nowhere in the National but it's unlikely (although not impossible) that he'll do it here.

3 stars ***

18) COKO BEACH (Gordon Elliott) 7

Jockey - Jonjo O'Neill Jr

Yet another of Gordon Elliott's myriad of runners who's potentially useful but hasn't done much recently.

Coko Beach won the Goffs Thyestes Chase in 2021 which is the sort of test you'd like for the National but hasn't won now in seven races. Could he spring a surprise? Yes, like all of Elliott's runners but you wouldn't signpost it on form.

3 stars ***

19) DE RASHER COUNTER (Emma Lavelle) 10

Jockey - Adam Wedge

A must bet for fans of a pre-race bacon sarnie, De Rasher Counter is owned by the Makin' Bacon Partnership and trained by Emma Lavelle who can send out a stayer.

This one had a 489 day break but is now back on the same mark as when he won the Ladbrokes Trophy in 2019.

Could put in a sizzling showing if back to his best.

3 stars ***

20) KILDISART (Ben Pauling) 10

Jockey - James Bowen

Another classic National each-way chance when you piece together the form, was second in the 2021 Ultima at Cheltenham but then had a long layoff and then finished a staying on fourth in the BetVictor Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase in early March.

Could worry the places if going well but question marks on his fitness.

3 stars ***

21) DISCORAMA (Paul Nolan) 9

Jockey - Bryan Cooper

You'd treat any horse that finished in the top ten of the Grand National with maximum respect and Discorama placed seventh last year.
Lightly raced since, the Paul Nolan trained nine-year-old finished second in a three mile chase at Fairyhouse last time out. Should give you a run for your money but is the quality there to improve from seventh to first this time around?

3 stars ***

22) TOP VILLE BEN (Phil Kirby) 10

Jockey - Tommy Dowson

A consistent sort who deserves his place in the race, Top Ville Ben has been going well in staying chases generally but crucially fell in the Becher Chase over the National fences won by Snow Leopardess.

One fall doesn't rule him out but a horse with an attacking style needs to stick the jumping and that's where doubts creep in.

3 stars ***

23) ENJOY D'ALLEN (Ciaran Murphy) 8

Jockey - Conor Orr

Another horse in the new fashion of calling horses Allen and who wouldn't want to bet on a horse call Allen? Thirds in both the Irish Grand National and the Paddy Power Chase mark Enjoy D'Allen up as a useful stayer.

Snapped up by shrewd owner JP McManus, Enjoy D'Allen has to enter calculation as one of the Irish raiders with potential.

4 stars ****

24) ANIBALE FLY (Tony Martin) 12

Jockey - Luke Dempsey

The grand old veteran finished fourth in the Grand National in 2018 and and fifth in 2019 and placed twice in the Cheltenham Gold Cup so has more than earned a place in the 2022 running. 

Yet, the 12-year-old's losing streak stretches back 18 races and it's unlikely we'll see a sudden renaissance.

3 stars ***

25) DINGO DOLLAR (Sandy Thomson) 10

Jockey - Ryan Mania

Was only beaten three quarters of a length into second in last year's Scottish Grand National so Dingo Dollar can clearly stay.

Everything depends on how Scottish trainer Sandy Thomson has brought his ten-year-old on but it might be a bush-tucker trial too far after a drab fifth last time out at Kelso.

3 stars ***

26) FREEWHEELIN DYLAN (Dermot McLoughlin) 10

Jockey - Ricky Doyle

Punters have only just got over Freewheelin Dylan winning last year's Irish Grand National at monster odds of 150/1.

You don't win that sort of race with no talent but Dermot McLoughlin's charge hasn't won since and the horse named after Bob Dylan sounds a bit like a one hit wonder.

2 stars **

27) CLASS CONTI (Willie Mullins) 10

Jockey - Sam Twiston-Davies

Class Conti did at least complete last year, albeit 15th of 15 finishers but plenty more didn't pass the post so that's nothing to be sniffed at.
Representing the might of the Mullins' yard and owned by top patrons Munir and Souede, in any other race this horse would be considered useful but may struggle with the strength in depth.

2 stars **

28) NOBLE YEATS (Emmet Mullins) 7

Jockey - Sam Waley-Cohen

Bought specifically by Cheltenham Gold Cup winning owner Robert Waley-Cohen for his son Sam to ride in the National, Noble Yeats had impressed when coming second in the Towton at Wetherby.

Trained by savvy Irish handler Emmet Mullins, Noble Yeats can outperform his form figures but it will need the ride of a lifetime from Sam Waley-Cohen.

3 stars ***

29) MIGHTY THUNDER (Lucinda Russell) 9

Jockey - Derek Fox

Lucinda Russell clearly knows how to ready a stayer after winning the Ultima at Cheltenham with Corach Rambler.

Mighty Thunder won the Scottish Grand National in 2021 but hasn't pulled up any trees since. Yet, if any of the Ayr ability remains this one could spring a surprise for the Scots.

4 stars ****

30) CLOTH CAP (Jonjo O'Neill) 10

Jockey - Tom Scudamore

Would be an emotional winner for the Exors of the late Trevor Hemmings after the leading owner's death last year.

Cloth Cap was favourite for the Grand National last year but was pulled up with a breathing problem and has since had an operation.

Much will depend on how Cloth Cap recovers but he's certainly a horse with ability who could prove his doubters wrong.

3 stars ***

31) SNOW LEOPARDESS (Charlie Longsdon) 10

Jockey - Aidan Coleman

Possibly the most popular entry for 2022, the galloping grey mare had time out to deliver a foal and returned in red hot form.

A win in the Becher Chase was top notch for this and it will be no surprise for her odds to shorten through sheer affection. Snow Leopardess is a seriously good chaser and shouldn't be underestimated.

5 stars *****

32) AGUSTA GOLD (Willie Mullins) 9

Jockey - Danny Mullins

Another half-decent unknown quantity Irish raider with bits and pieces of form but coming from the iron-hard Willie Mullins operation.

Augusta Gold popped up with a second last time out over three miles and two furlongs, will go off at big odds and will have everyone groaning is she wins.

3 stars ***

33) COMMODORE (Venetia Williams) 10

Jockey - Charlie Deutsch

A real intriguing last gasp entry for Venetia Williams. Commodore won the Betfair Handicap Chase in impressive fashion over three miles and two furlongs at Cheltenham in December. That win came at 15 lengths at Group 3 level and he could go well here.

4 stars ****

34) DEISE ABA (Philip Hobbs) 9

Jockey - Tom O'Brien

Another one carrying the green and yellow Hemmings silks, the plucky Deise Alba has finished second in three of his four races this season.

The losing margins have been slight but the nine-year-old has been going over extended trips and could outrun his odds for smart trainer Philip Hobbs.

3 stars ***

35) BLAKLION (Dan Skelton) 13

Jockey - Harry Skelton

The Skeltons think the world of their upstart teenager who only scraped in to the National after defections from other horses.

Back in 2017, Blaklion was favourite for the National when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies. A long time has passed since but the 13-year-old has picked up two veterans' chases at Haydock recently and could plug on for a place.

3 stars ***

36) POKER PARTY (Henry de Bromhead) 10

Jockey - Robbie Power

Looking very much like De Bromhead's third string, Poker Party represents good owners in Robcour who also own Bob Olinger. 

A win in the Guinness Kerry National Handicap Chase back in 2019 is a nice bit of form but it's a big dive into the past and this one looks unlikely to deal out a beating this time.

2 stars **

37) DEATH DUTY (Gordon Elliott) 11

Jockey - Jordan Gainford

Talked up by Gordon Elliott before the Cheltenham Festival as one of his best handicapped, Death Duty gets a last minute run in the National after Battleoverdoyen was sent to the Topham.

Won the Punchestown Grand National trial in February which was a first victory in four years. If this one takes the big one it will be one of the jammiest placings of a horse since Jamjar won the Hartley's Jam Cup. Ok this race doesnt exist but you get our point.

4 stars ****

38) DOMAINE DE L'ISLE (Sean Curran) 9

Jockey - Harry Bannister

Has been running in all the right races and a fourth in the Becher Chase is pretty decent prep. Yet a remote 10th in the Eider at Newcastle suggests he'll find a few too good in this after scraping in.
2 stars **

39) ECLAIR SURF (Emma Lavelle) 8

Jockey - Tom Bellamy

Many shrewdies' idea of a winner and backers have been hoping this Emma Lavelle stayer would squeeze in at the last minute as he has. A second in the Eider was decent and has also beaten Ultima winner Corach Rambler so is of obvious interest off a light weight. Interesting.
4 stars ****

40) FORTESCUE (Henry Daly) 8

Jockey - Hugh Nugent

A suitably classy runner for Henry Daly who has run with credit, including winning the Swinley Chase last time out at Ascot and turning over the fancied Fiddlerontheroof.
Of interest as a last minute addition to the race but stamina over the trip might be a concern.
3 stars ***

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