GRAND NATIONAL FESTIVAL - DAY 3 (SATURDAY)

It's the biggest day of racing in the world with the most-watched horse race, the Grand National, taking centre stage. 12:45 AINTREE As the only previous course winner in the field, Salvator Mundi commands plenty of respect, particularly given he represents the powerful Willie Mullins yard. While not overly prolific this season, he returned to form with a convincing success at Thurles last time and, despite this rise in class, looks the one they all have to beat. Kola Conti adds further strength to the Irish challenge, while No Questions Asked, from the Ben Pauling stable, appeals as the pick of the home contingent. SALVATOR MUNDI (WIN)

13:20 AINTREE A wide-open three-mile handicap where plenty arrive with chances, and value may lie away from the head of the market. Ace Of Spades and Duke Silver both contested the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham and shaped better than their finishing positions suggest, ending up sixth and thirteenth respectively. Neither was disgraced in a highly competitive race. Ace Of Spades is a previous course winner and would be suited by any rain, while Duke Silver has been consistent throughout the season and, as a six-year-old, still has scope for further improvement. Supremely West attracted strong support at Cheltenham and remains one to note if building on that effort. ACE OF SPADES (E/W) DUKE SILVER (E/W)

13:55 AINTREE Scorpio Rising arrives in excellent form having landed a competitive Grade 3 handicap at Sandown, extending his winning streak to four. This represents a tougher assignment, but he is clearly progressing and could offer value as an each-way play. Among the more prominent contenders, Bossman Jack shaped well at Cheltenham and, with this looking a slightly easier task, rates as a significant danger. SCORPIO RISING (E/W)

14:30 AINTREE Although also entered as a Grand National reserve, Amirite is expected to line up here and could be primed for another strong showing at Aintree. He finished fourth in the Topham last year and, while this is a different test, his course experience is a major positive. Leave Of Absence must shoulder top weight but has been admirably consistent this season and has previous form at this track, suggesting he can remain competitive. Bad has gone close on several occasions this term and is worth consideration, while market leader Mr Hope Street looks set to run a big race. AMIRITE (E/W) LEAVE OF ABSENCE (E/W)

15:05 AINTREE Impose Toi, a former course-and-distance winner, could be overlooked as the apparent second string for owner JP McManus, but he looks capable of a strong rebound. His run in the Stayers’ Hurdle can be forgiven, and a return to this venue may spark improvement. Hiddenvalley Lake, another with course-and-distance success, and Cheltenham Festival winner Jingko Blue both bring solid credentials and should be firmly in the mix. IMPOSE TOI (E/W)

16:00 AINTREE – GRAND NATIONAL

17:00 AINTREE It would be unwise to dismiss the runners from Ben Pauling’s yard despite their bigger prices, as the stable has strength in depth in this contest and each holds some level of appeal for each-way players. The standout, however, is Willie Mullins’ Look Me, who returned from a lengthy absence to win convincingly at Fairyhouse. This represents a significant step up in class, but runners from this yard are always to be respected in these contests. Bass Hunter went close at Cheltenham and looks the most immediate threat if building on that performance. LOOK ME (WIN)

written by Rory Paddock