Expert Picks for the Grand National: Kevin Blake Shares His Top Bets

The day of the Grand National has finally arrived, and Kevin Blake is sharing his top four predicted finishers for the iconic Aintree event, as well as his top bets for other races 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. Instead of focusing on the top-weighted favorites, he's looking at the lesser-known KAKA'S COUSIN, trained by Jonjo and AJ O'Neill. This six-year-old has shown promise, winning two of his four hurdle starts, and his recent run at Sandown was particularly impressive. The step up in distance for this race could suit him well, and with a light weight, he's an attractive bet at a fair price. Another competitive handicap chase is the William Hill Handicap Chase at 14:30, where CRUZ CONTROL, trained by Tom Lacey, could make it three consecutive wins. After a 100-day break, CRUZ CONTROL won this race last year, and his connections seem to be following a similar strategy this time around. With a 3lb drop in the handicap and his team in good form, he has a solid chance of winning. 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 excitement remains. Blake has analyzed each runner in a video on the At The Races YouTube channel, but here, he's sharing his concise top four picks for the big race.