Four different ways you could pick your Grand National winner

The Grand National is almost upon us. And now it’s time to start thinking about how to pick that elusive Aintree winner.  

With a field of 40 set to line-up on Merseyside, there’s no shortage of options to choose from.

You may like to go off the form. But your mum will probably pick her favourite colour, while your dad will likely choose the one which sounds most like his local pub.

Add in Uncle Barry and Auntie Sue who have got the 100/1 shot in the work sweepstake, and before you’ve started the family have half the field covered.

There are plenty of different ways to find the winner. And we’ve come up with four of them below…

Colours

This is probably the most common way of picking a National winner.

Whether it’s the silks, a colour in the name or the hue of the horse, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Nicky Henderson’s Gold Present will likely prove a popular pick come Saturday. So too Captain Redbeard and the effervescent Vieux Lion Rouge.

Baie Des Iles may not have a colour in the name but is a beautiful shade of pearly white.

Fans of Manchester City, Everton may want to side with Tenor Nivernais, Chase The Spud or Raz De Maree.

All three contain ocean blue in their silks and provide ample opposition to the aforementioned red pairing.

Name

We’ve already mentioned Vieux Lion Rouge. But do you know what it translates to in English? – Old Red Lion.

Darts teams up and down the country will no doubt be on the nine-year-old for a third consecutive year.

Blaklion provides the main opposition in the battle of the pubs. While Lord Windermere must be under consideration too.

Fans of continental cocktails may opt for the Mediterranean sounding Milansbar.

You backed Cocktails At Dawn in from 100/1 to 20s last year. Could we see a similar scenario unfold again?

Film fans may also take a fancy to Total Recall for Willie Mullins.

Football team

There are plenty of different horses for football supporters to follow.

Aside from colour connotations, Southampton fans may like the look of former Scottish Grand National winner Saint Are.

The Royals of Reading may be swayed by the charm of Regal Encore.

And what about Manchester United fans still in awe of Robin van Persie’s title winner against Aston Villa in 2013? You’re covered – along with Sheffield Wednesday fans – by The Dutchman.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid ultras still longing for their former home may like the look of Vicente.

As for Bristol Rovers supporters, Gas Line Boy could be the one to light your Grand National fire.

Sweepstake

The classic get out of jail free option, usually organised at work.

You won’t get a choice with what you get here.

But safe to say if you pull out any one of Anibale Fly, Tiger Roll or Seeyouatmidnight, you may start with a better chance than one of your pot luck rivals.

Alternatively, you can get our traders’ view on the big day here.

And you can make your bet on Grand National at Ladbrokes.

All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication