GAVIN DUFFY: I’m a Grand National fanatic so allow me two tips! My main bet is Blaklion from the in-form Nigel Twiston-Davies yard and with Noel Fehily on board. I’m also having a lash on Roi Des Francs and the wonderkid Jack Kennedy.

PAT HEALY: In the week that’s in, with the genius that is the Gooch Cooper retiring and Dublin playing Kerry on Sunday at Croke Park where we will probably be beaten, Kerrymen everywhere need a lift.

It’s 40 years since a Kerry jockey, Tommy Stack, won the Grand National on the great Red Rum (third time) and I’m backing two Kerry jockeys, Jack Kennedy (Roi Des Francs) and Bryan Cooper (Rogue Angel) to get some money back for Mr O’Leary - in spite of Phil Smith the handicapper - and lift Kerry hearts everywhere.

BRIAN KAVANAGH: I’ll be cheering on One For Arthur, bred by my brother-in-law John Dwan.

PAT SMULLEN: I haven’t studied it in depth but Cause Of Causes (below) must have a great chance. He’s a sound jumper, stays well and has a bit of class. Gordon Elliott’s horses have been in tremendous form all season and he has a good man on board in Jamie Codd. We’ll all be watching in the Leopardstown weighroom.

HUGH CAHILL (2FM): I like O’Faolains Boy for Rebecca Curtis at 50/1. He hasn’t been in form lately but he has undergone a breathing operation and if that works the oracle I think he could run a big race.

He has a touch of class as a previous winner of the RSA Chase at Cheltenham and the classy Paul Townend is riding him.

TED WALSH: Of the Irish horses I’d like Cause Of Causes. He handled the Cross Country well at Cheltenham but we’ll have to see if he takes to the fences on the day. On The Fringe won around there twice but hated it on Thursday. Of the English, I think Blaklion and Noel Fehily have a huge chance.

JIMMY MANGAN: He’s 40/1 but I fancy Davy Russell’s mount Saint Are. He was second to Many Clouds in 2015 and has been laid out for the race again. I know Adrian Heskin probably had the choice of Tom George’s two runners but there’s horses for courses and that’s certainly true at Aintree.

DES SCAHILL: Pleasant Company is crying out for the trip and he’s a very solid jumper, so should have no problem adapting to the fences. Definitly Red has a similar profile and looks an ideal candidate.

MARTIN HEYDON: I’ll go with Lord Windermere. I went to school with Leighton Aspell and he certainly knows what it takes to win the National. As a former Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere has a proven track record for the big day too.