Grand National 2021: The Entries – Numbers 21-30

We are just over a week out from the biggest race of them all, the Grand National.

Following last year’s cancellation and a virtual substitution, 40 hopefuls will line up at Aintree bidding to write their name into National Hunt folklore.

Our team have broken down the first 20 entries in the weights thus far, and we continue into our third lot of Grand National entrants who simply need to be declared by connections next Thursday to have their chance on jump racing’s biggest stage.

Here’s 21-30 at the current stage.

Alpha Des Obeaux – 10st 9lbs – 80/1

Diane Foster’s charge has experience over the National fences on Merseyside, finishing third in the Becher in December 2019.

That was off a 7lbs higher mark, but he hasn’t won in over two years and was a remote fourth at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

Brahma Bull – 10st 8lbs – 40/1

The very lightly raced 10-year-old won a valuable event at Cork in November 2019 before finishing behind subsequent Gold Cup winner Minella Indo on his seasonal reappearance six months ago.

He unseated on New Year’s Day, though, and was pulled up in the Thyestes at Gowran Park when last seen in January.

Ok Corral – 10st 8lbs – 50/1

Nicky Henderson’s charge has won six of his 14 career outings to date, including a Listed handicap at Doncaster on his first campaign in open company.

The 14-month lay-off clearly didn’t do him any favours when he pulled up in the Ultima last time out, and he’s 5lbs higher than his last winning mark.

Takingrisks – 10st 7lbs – 50/1

A former Scottish Grand National winner, Nicky Richards’ northern stalwart is sometimes hard to weigh up but he is normally a feature in big-fielded handicaps.

He did fail to fire on his only appearance on this track before, however, pulling up in 2017.

Shattered Love – 10st 7lbs – 50/1

Third in the inaugural Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham, the Gigginstown House Stud 10-year-old has bounced back to some form this season and won at Clonmel in November.

She was unable to withstand the ferocity of the Irish National before, but so did Tiger Roll before he won the English equivalent twice.

Jett – 10st 7lbs – 66/1

A tailed-off 8th in the Becher before Christmas, Jett also holds an entry in the Topham and had a pipe-opener over hurdles two weeks ago.

He is a Grade 3 winner over three-miles as a chaser, but recent form over fences is a concern for Jessica Harrington’s Flemensfirth gelding.

The Jam Man – 10st 7lbs – 50/1

A versatile type, Ronan McNally’s eight-year-old won a flat race at York in October before enjoying a Grade B Chase win in the Troytown at Navan next time out.

He’s now rated 21lbs higher than when winning in November and has had two spins over hurdles since the turn of the year.

Lord Du Mensil – 10st 6lbs – 40/1

A winner at Haydock last time out, Richard Hobson’s representative bids to become the first horse to win the National Trial before going onto win the feature itself.

He is proven over hardened staying trips, finishing second in the National Hunt Chase as a novice at the Cheltenham Festival and unseated on his only Aintree run previously.

Potters Corner – 10st 6lbs – 25/1

A Welsh and Midlands National winner, Potters Corner hasn’t enjoyed the best of season’s so far but his record in a race like this is second to none.

He finished third in a hot bumper at this track six years ago as well, finishing ahead of two-time Champion Hurdle winner, Buveur D’Air.

Class Conti – 10st 6lbs – 40/1

As Willie Mullins bids for a first English Grand National win since 2005, he’ll need his son of Poliglote to keep improving from a nice platform he has built in recent outings.

He was well back in the field at Leopardstown after Christmas, but showed far more in the Thyestes and Munster National thereafter, albeit his best form does appear to have been in France.