16.15 Aintree – The Grand National winner comes in the form of…

If you’ve been following us all week you’ll know that our Grand National tips are Backstage (12/1), Big Fella Thanks (16/1), Hello Bud (25/1), State of Play (25/1) and West End Rocker (33/1).

What you don’t know is which of these five horses we are favouring to take the spoils.

Well we can reveal that our number one pick to win the 2011 Grand National is Backstage who, while the other market leaders around him fight it out for favouritism, can recover from a fall last year to land the 2011 Grand National.

The huge gamble on Don’t Push It is likely to see the AP McCoy’s ride go off favourite for the second year running as he chases consecutive Grand National victories.

Ruby Walsh’s The Midnight Club will attract plenty of support as will the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned What A Friend, leaving Backstage the forgotten horse of the market leaders.

Trainer Gordon Elliott has been in fine form at both the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree’s Grand National meeting and as Elliott trained Silver Birch to victory in 2007, the trainer knows exactly what it takes to win a National.

With the experienced Paul Carberry on board, Backstage can lead the 40 Grand National runners past the elbow and over the finishing line.

Following Backstage closely home will be State Of Play who despite his trainers thoughts on his ability, can record a top four finish for the third year in a row and Big Fella Thanks can follow both home in third.

Fourth place will be left to Hello Bud and West End Rocker to fight it out, but with Grand National odds of 25/1 and 33/1, either horse would provide a healthy return.

It’s the biggest race of the year and the biggest betting market of the year so relax, have a punt, and enjoy the most exciting race in the National Hunt calendar.

A £20 stake on Backstage winning the Grand National would return £260. Take full advantage of Ladbrokes’ Grand National odds.