J.P. McMANUS owns five of the first seven in the betting for next Saturday’s Randox Grand National at Aintree.

The champion owner has had his colours carried to success three times in the race by Don’t Push It (2010), Minella Times (2021) and I Am Maximus (2024). The latter finished second under top weight last year and is set to start favourite once again next Saturday, having run with credit in three Grade 1 chases since chasing home Nick Rockett in the 2025 edition.

McManus is also set to be represented by last year’s fourth Iroko. The eight-year-old is trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, who will also saddle the year-younger Jagwar for McManus. Both horses ran in the Ultima Handicap Chase last time out, a race won by the McManus-owned Johnnywho, another leading contender for Aintree honours, trained by Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill. The novice chaser Oscars Brother is yet another McManus hope who is prominent in the betting and the owner could also run Spillane’s Tower and Perceval Legallois, all of whom have realistic chances.

Willie Mullins, trainer of I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett, is aiming to win the race for the third year in a row. His Aintree team also includes Grangeclare West, third last year and strongly fancied to go close again next Saturday, following his recent Bobbyjo Chase success.

British champion trainer-elect Dan Skelton will have just one runner – the mare Panic Attack – already a winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup this season.

CURRENT BETTING: 8 I Am Maximus, 10 Grangeclare West, 11 Jagwar, 12 Iroko, 16 Haiti Couleurs, Johnnywho, Oscars Brother, 18 Panic Attack, 20 Monty’s Star, Nick Rockett, 25 Captain Cody, Gorgeous Tom, Stellar Story, 28 Jordans, 33 Final Orders, Gerri Colombe, Now Is The Hour, Spillane’s Tower, 40 bar.