Expert Insights: Kevin Blake's Top Picks for Grand National Day

The highly anticipated Grand National day has finally arrived, and Kevin Blake is sharing his expert predictions for the top four finishers in the renowned Aintree race, along with his top bets in other events on the card. Before the main event, Blake has identified a couple of promising races, starting with the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at 13:20. Instead of focusing on the top-weighted favorites, he's drawn to KAKA'S COUSIN, a relatively unexposed contender trained by Jonjo and AJ O'Neill. This six-year-old has shown great promise, winning two of his four hurdle starts, and his recent performance in a competitive novices' handicap hurdle at Sandown suggests he's ready for a step up in distance. With a light weight and favorable odds, KAKA'S COUSIN is an attractive choice. Another competitive event is the William Hill Handicap Chase at 14:30, where CRUZ CONTROL, trained by Tom Lacey, could secure his third consecutive win. Having won the race in 2024 and 2025, CRUZ CONTROL is well-suited for this event, and his connections are adopting a similar strategy by bringing him in fresh. Following a couple of moderate runs earlier in the season, the handicapper has given him a generous 3lb drop, making him an even more compelling choice. Finally, the Randox Grand National at 16:00 takes center stage, and Blake has carefully analyzed each runner, sharing his top four selections for this iconic sporting spectacle.