Grand National preview: Rachael Blackmore seeks Aintree double on Minella Times

Rachael Blackmore is the first female jockey to win the National. Snow Leopardess is a mare who gave birth to a foal during a two-year break from racing. Commodore, School Boy Hours and Romain De Senam took the final spots in the race after Easysland, Phoenix Way and Lord Du Mesnil were late withdrawals.

Blackmore and Minella Times are going for the Grand National double. Blackmore won the landmark race last year. He also won Cheltenham Gold Cup last month.  "The Grand Nats is so massive, you never think you're going to win it.

Last year's third horse Any Second Now and fourth Burrows Saint are the leading contenders. Jockey Sean Flanagan will fly to Aintree from Ireland to ride School Boy Hours for owner JP McManus. Delta Work and Escaria Ten are among seven runners for trainer Gordon Elliott. Sam Waley-Cohen will be riding for the last time when he partners Nobel Yeats. Emma Lavelle has two chances of being the fourth woman to train the winner since 2009.

The Grand National is a handicap steeplechase race. The winner usually finishes the course in about nine minutes. There are 30 jumps, including Becher's Brook and The Chair, over a distance of 4.5 miles. This is the 174th Grand Nationals.

Escaria Ten, Any Second Now, Longhouse Poet, Minella Times and Gina Bryce are the favourites for the Grand National.

Delta Work is the winner of the handicap. Longhouse Poet, Any Second Now, Eclair Surf and Any Other Now are second, third and fourth.

Eclair Surf is favourite for the Grand National. Rachael Blackmore is seeking to win the race.

Gary O'Brien's betting guide for the Grand National is Longhouse Poet, Any Second Now, Fiddlerontheroof, Minella Times and Fiddleont Heroof.