Pleasant Day Ahead At Aintree

Aintree Racecourse is set for a sunny Grand National Day with a high of 17 degrees.

The Going is Good on the Hurdles course while the Grand National course is described as Good, Good to Soft in places.

Watering took place again overnight with 4mm spread on both tracks.

The Willie Mullins trained Pleasant Company (Ruby Walsh rides) heads an 11-strong Irish challenge. The lightly raced 9-year-old has never raced over the unique National fences but arrives in top form and has been the subject of strong support in recent days.

Mullins and Ruby Walsh last tasted Grand National success with Hedgehunter in 2005 and Pleasant Company has been given a similar preparation by running in the Bobbjo Chase at Fairyhouse as his final prep.

Mouse Morris who trained Rule The World to win the race last year saddles two more with each way chances this time. Rogue Angel (Bryan Cooper) and Thunder And Roses (Mark Enright) are both sons of Presenting as is Pleasant Company.

Gordon Elliott, successful with Silver Birch (2007) has three runners in the race, Roi Des Francs (Jack Kennedy), Cause Of Causes (Jamie Codd) and Ucello Conti (Daryl Jacob).

Other Irish trained runners are: Wounded Warrior (Noel Meade/Sean Flanagan), Lord Windermere (Jim Culloty/Leighton Aspell), Measureofmydreams (Noel Meade/Donagh Myler), Raz De Maree (Gavin Cromwell/Ger Fox) and Stellar Notion (Henry de Bromhead/David Mullins).