The 2013 Grand National: Find out about the top five favourites

It’s the most iconic horse race of them all as this weekend millions of us will hope to pick a winner at the Grand National – when much of the attention will be on the favourites.

The final field has yet to be finalised, but some of the elite runners have a great chance of fulfilling their enormous potential and winning the coveted Aintree showpiece.

Being among the most fancied in the field by punters and those in the know isn’t a guarantee of success at the National, of course, but more often than not, they at least challenge for the lead.

Last year’s National was won by 33/1 shot Neptune Collonges, with joint-favourite Seabass finishing third, and Ballabriggs triumphed in 2011 at 14s as race favourite The Midnight Club came in down in sixth.

A number of horses are set to make their Grand National debuts in 2013 and will be determined to catch the eye on the biggest stage of all, while seasoned veterans will hope for one last hurrah.

Here, we give the lowdown on the top five favourites ahead of Saturday’s race.

On His Own (IRE)

Price: 6/1

Age: 9

Owners: Andrea & Graham Wylie

Trainer: Willie Mullins

Career wins: 5

Race favourite On His Own has only had one outing since falling in last year’s National when he was victorious in February’s Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at Navan. Will he give Graham Wylie (pictured above) his first taste of National success? He certainly has the pedigree, having won four of the last five races that he has stayed the distance. 

Seabass (IRE)

Price: 8/1

Age: 10

Owners: Gunners Syndicate

Trainer: T M Walsh

Career wins: 6

Six wins in a row before last year’s National made the 10-year-old favourite this time 12 months ago, but a third-placed finish has been followed by two low-key outings at Fairyhouse in 2013, the most recent of which was last month. Going two places better might be tough, although a mathematician has made national headlines by creating a formula that he believes tips Seabass for success on Saturday.

Cappa Bleu (IRE)

Price: 10/1

Age: 11

Owners: Mr & Mrs William Rucker

Trainer: Evan Williams

Career wins: 2

Form would suggest that Cappa Bleu offers excellent value for an each-way punt, having secured a top-four finish in each of his last six outings. Experience is always a key factor when it comes to the National and he can take heart from finishing fourth last year, just 12 lengths behind the winner Neptune Collonges.

Colbert Station (IRE)

Price: 9/1

Age: 9

Owners: Mr J P McManus

Trainer: T M Walsh

Career wins: 5

There’s something of a buzz of anticipation surrounding Colbert Station’s potential to make it a winning National debut, although plenty of people will point to his inexperience after only running in five chases to date. A P McCoy rates him, though, and there can surely be no greater compliment than getting the seal of approval from such a giant of the sport.

Sunnyhillboy (IRE)

Price: 14/1

Age: 10

Owners: Mr J P McManus

Trainer: J O’Neill

Career wins: 8

Pipped on the finish line by Neptune Collonges in last year’s National, Sunnyhillboy will be out to banish the memories of his cruel Aintree heartache. The ability to last the distance in the gruelling four-and-a-half mile race should not be understated. Sunnyhillboy lost by a nose 12 months ago and is being backed to be a very serious contender for glory.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.