Kevin Blake Shares Expert Grand National Predictions

The day of the Grand National has finally arrived, and Kevin Blake is sharing his predictions for the top four finishers in the iconic Aintree race, as well as his top bets in other events on the card. Before the main event, Blake has his eye on a couple of other races, starting with the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at 13:20. He's looking beyond the favorites to KAKA'S COUSIN, a relatively unexposed contender trained by Jonjo and AJ O'Neill. This six-year-old has shown 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, Blake thinks KAKA'S COUSIN could make a strong showing. Another highly competitive event is the William Hill Handicap Chase at 14:30, where CRUZ CONTROL, trained by Tom Lacey, is seeking his third consecutive win. Having won the race in 2024 and 2025, CRUZ CONTROL is well-positioned to repeat, especially given his connections' strategy of bringing him in fresh. A 3lb drop in the handicap and Tom Lacey's team being in top form make CRUZ CONTROL a solid contender. Finally, it's time for the Randox Grand National at 16:00, one of the world's most iconic sporting events. While much has changed over the years, the Grand National remains a thrilling spectacle. Blake has analyzed each runner in a video on the At The Races YouTube channel, but here he'll provide a concise rundown of his top four picks for the big race.