Credit: Edward Whitaker
We spoke to Richard Johnson, whose racing syndicate owns Imperial Saint, about the nervous wait and he said: "I've got a lot of excited owners, but we're not quite sure what to do at the minute.
"The Grand National is such a special race and to have a chance would be amazing. He was unfortunate at Cheltenham as he nearly got brought down, but he still ran creditably to finish eighth, and he beat Johnnywho [Ultima winner] before that.
"He loves it around Aintree and won at Haydock this year. I think a flat track helps him as he's won three times at the course, albeit not over the National fences. He's a good jumper and conditions will suit. He's won over two miles, so he's not slow, and hopefully he can get into a rhythm. I'd like to think he's overpriced at 100-1."
Imperial Saint is now the horse one away from a run in the NationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)
By Keith Melrose, betting editor
Now that Pied Piper is in, Imperial Saint becomes the horse on the bubble for the Grand National.
He, like the next three reserves after him (Amirite, Ain't That A Shame, Deep Cave), have all been declared for the Freebooter Handicap Chase, which is run 90 minutes before the Grand National on Saturday. That does not stop them from running in the big one if the chance arises.
As a side point, the Freebooter was itself significantly oversubscribed, with five horses missing out. Should we introduce reserves, to mitigate for Grand National reserves?
By Keith Melrose, betting editor
It caught plenty by surprise, even those quite close to the yard, when Patrick Mullins was switched from Nick Rockett to Grangeclare West at declarations time.
It strongly suggested that the defending champion, who had to be rushed out three weeks ago to get qualified for this year's race, had not enjoyed the best preparation.
You feel for Tom Bellamy, who was set for the ride of his career and had earned it on form.
But credit to Nick Rockett's connections for not running an unprepared horse, despite what surely would have been serious temptation.
Tom Bellamy celebrates winning at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Grossick Photography (racingpost.com/photos)
By Keith Melrose, betting editor
It looks like Bob McIntyre is a bit of an office gamble for the Masters. He's top of my list, too, he has the shape of shot for Augusta and I understand the course is running fast, which will also suit.
For the double, I've talked myself into thinking Jagwar is I Am Maximus mark II. A dodgy jumper with an obviously Grade 1-quality engine is exactly what the 2024 winner was coming into his National.
Remember, there are only two fences in the last three-quarters of a mile on the National course.
By David Carr at Aintree
ITV presenter Oli Bell has more than just Aintree on his mind as he is revelling in the flying start his uncle Michael has made to the Flat turf season.
The trainer has had three winners in the first week and a half, although his nephew said: "The horses are going great but the two I backed finished second."
ITV's Oli Bell at Aintree
He is hoping for better in the Grand National on Saturday and, like Finbarr, he fancies Jagwar. Bell said: "I fancy Jagwar, he has a good weight and his run at Cheltenham was there for all to see."
He's also not as offended by John's suggestion of Champ Kiely, as Bell added: "At bigger odds I also like Champ Kiely, who is a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and fences and is the overlooked Willie Mullins runner in the market."
Daryl Jacob gives Impaire Et Passe a kiss after their Grade 1 win at LimerickCredit: Lorraine O'Sullivan
That shout from Daryl Jacob for Impaire Et Passe is quite interesting as his Aintree record is sneaky good. He was the even-money favourite and won an Aintree Hurdle by a nose and a short head from Bob Olinger and Langer Dan, then last year he went off at 9-4 and won the Manifesto by a length and a quarter and a short head from Gidleigh Park and the 6-4 favourite that day, Jango Baie!
Now, Jango Baie has obviously had a better time of it since, he won the 1965 Chase at Ascot, beating the same Gidleigh Park nine lengths, then was only beaten half a length in the King George and was second in a Gold Cup.
Impaire Et Passe on the other hand went from Aintree to Punchestown and was brought down. He didn't return this season until February when winning a pretty weak edition of the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran, and then he was pulled-up in the Ryanair.
That said, he was sent off at 100-30 for that so was clearly well fancied and he was pulled-up after five out (jockey said he never travelled, vet had nothing to report) so it's not even that he didn't have a hard race – he didn't really have a race at all!
The more I look at this race the more I think it's Spillane's Tower who is the most likely to capitalise if Jango Baie isn't at his very best, and at the prices I'd side with him still, but Daryl's given me food for thought and I like that. Things that challenge our thinking and raise new things to think about are always good and if that's not the perfect call for you to get in touch at liveblog@racingpost.com then I don't know what is!
By David Carr at Aintree
Daryl Jacob always loved Aintree, even before he won the Grand National by the narrowest margin in history on Neptune Collonges in 2012.
That success puts him one up on Dick Francis, who never won the race but has a statue here nonetheless.
“Jockeys always look forward to this meeting,” Jacob said. “The racing is very serious but it is a more relaxed environment than Cheltenham and more fun.”
He has been out on the track and said: “It’s absolutely beautiful ground with a wonderful covering of grass. The team here are different class and it’s spot on, on the slow side.”
Jacob retired from race-riding last year and is now racing manager to Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who have two runners today.
“Impaire Et Passé is our best chance,” he said. “He ran really well here last year and won the Aintree Hurdle two years ago.”
John Kerr has been in touch with his pretty simple approach to finding the National winner. He wrote:
"Danny Mullins loves upsetting the applecart! Champ Kiely is my each-way selection in the National, good luck to all".
Champ Kiely and Danny MullinsCredit: Patrick McCann
So, it's not as detailed as Finbarr's effort, and it will lose points for that, but it is arguably just as funny! I love Danny Mullins as a rider, he has quite a lot in common with Harry Skelton I think in that he has just ground away over a number of years, improving and improving, and he's made himself into one of the very best around. He can be a miracle worker.
That said, if Champ Kiely wins the National I'll be utterly amazed! He produced the best run of his career (on Racing Post Ratings) this season – over two miles! There's not much Danny can't do on a horse, but even he can't get Champ Kiely to win a National!
John gets a 6.6, it's made me smile and he's got a full extra point for wishing everyone good luck, that's a nice touch, but come on John – Champ Kiely winning the National is madness!
By Lee Mottershead at Aintree
Racing Post writers are an enthusiastic bunch but I wouldn't always be desperate to be on course at 6.15am, no matter which course that was.
This year my Grand National festival started with a 5am alarm call. I was in the car at 5.40am (I'm not the quickest in the mornings) and then on my way up to the BBC's Aintree commentary box 35 minutes later.
Quite understandably, John Hunt was not in the box at that stage, although he'll be pleased to know his binoculars haven't been stolen. Instead, the Today programme's sports presenter Mike Williams was ready to do the show's 6.25 insert from Aintree, with me as his first guest of the morning. There was even a little comeback from Nick Robinson in the studio after I gave my tip for Saturday's big race.
"And yet in these troubled times, we're supposed to put our money on Panic Attack - we rely on the Grand National to cheer us up," said Robinson. It was a fair point, well made.
Radio 4's flagship programme has approximately 9.2 million listeners every week. As such, the fact it was broadcasting from the first day of the Grand National festival is great news for racing and highlights the extent to which the sport's flagship prize still resonates with the wider media and public.
Tomorrow morning Mike Bushell is set to be here because BBC1's Breakfast show will be delivering its sport bulletins from Aintree - which means another 5am alarm.
I'm hoping the sunrise will be every bit as magnificent as we enjoyed this morning. I may or may not tip Panic Attack again.
Finbarr Phelan has been in touch to say the following:
"I have a view on Jagwar that he was the unluckiest loser during all of Cheltenham, mostly self inflicted since his jumping was not up to scratch. I think he will find jumping the National fences easier [strange I know]. He will win very easily before going on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2027. A bit left field but we shall see."
Jagwar (left) was just pipped by Johnnywho in the UltimaCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
Now, this from Finbarr falls into two camps for me, there's lots I like, some of it's lunacy! Isn't that the beauty of this game...
"The unluckiest loser"? I can see what you mean if I squint. I'd reframe it and say no horse tried harder to get beat at the meeting. He jumped like a tank and then wouldn't go past on the run-in, that he still got so close given the way he jumped though is highly impressive and I think you're right, his method of going through rather than over fences may well be far less punished here than anywhere else.
"He will win very easily"? The simple fact is he still got himself in a position to win at Cheltenham and wouldn't go past and sure, he might, but he's more likely to curl up on that long old run in for my money!
"Before going on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2027"! Now you're in the realms of crazy talk Finbarr! He's clearly talented, but he won't see which way Soldier In Milan goes! Ha, now who's the crazy one?!
All in all I'd give this an 8.4 from Finbarr, thoughtful, some good points well made, a hilarious joke about Jagwar winning the Gold Cup! What's not to like! If they can all be this good, please and thank you!
By David Carr at Aintree
Golden Ace having a pick of grass at Aintree
Golden Ace has already been out on the course for a peck of grass.
“She feels brilliant,” said Emily Meek, who is with her. “She travelled up well and she’s had a nice rest.”
Red Rum hope Brookie
Anthony Honeyball left home at 3.30am to be here first thing and has been out on the course on his Red Rum Chase hope Brookie.
“He’s fine,” the trainer said. “He was second in the novice here last year so he has course-and-distance form.
“He runs off 145 but he is suited by the flat two miles so he has a squeak.”
