TRAINER Mouse Morris was successful in the Grand National for the first time in his career 12 months ago, when Rule The World beat 38 other horses to claim the top prize in the Aintree showpiece event.

Morris has two chances of a repeat victory in the race this year as he is set to saddle Rogue Angel and Thunder And Roses. Both horses sit near the bottom of the weights list after only just qualifying into the maximum 40-runner field.

Rogue Angel’s last run came in the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase back in January at Gowran Park. He came home fifth in that contest when ridden by Rachael Blackmore. The nine-year-old’s biggest win to-date came in last year’s Irish Grand National where he came out on top by a short-head after beating Bless The Wings in a photo finish.

Thunder And Roses is also an Irish Grand National winner as he was successful in 2015 when Katie Walsh partnered him to success at Fairyhouse. He has already had eight runs so far this season, which includes a second place finish in the Grade 3 Bobbyjo Chase where he was only half a length behind the winner Pleasant Company.

Trainer Gordon Elliott will send a team of three horses across to Aintree this year, including Cause Of Causes, who is one of the leading Grand National tips for Saturday's big race. Cause Of Causes won the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, his third consecutive year to win a race at that meeting.

Cause Of Causes ran in the 2015 Grand National, which was won by Many Clouds, finishing eighth on that occasion when staying on late in the marathon contest. Since then, his only two victories have come at the Festival as he also won the Kim Muir Challenge Cup in 2016.

Ucello Conti will be saddled by Elliott at the Merseyside track on Saturday, where he will be getting his third taste of the Grand National fences. The nine-year-old was sixth on his debut 12 months ago in what was only his fourth run in the UK or Ireland since moving from France.

The former French chaser (left) then returned to Aintree for the Becher Handicap Chase in December, where he finished fourth in the 22-runner field.

Elliott’s highest rated horse in the Grand National this year is Roi Des Francs, who is set to carry 11st 3lb.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner (above, right) was successful at Down Royal on his latest start, in what was an ideal preparation for his Aintree target. This will be his first attempt at four miles or longer and over the bigger fences in the race.