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

The highly anticipated Grand National day has finally arrived, and Kevin Blake is sharing his expert predictions for the top four finishers in the iconic Aintree race, along with his best bets for other notable events on the card. Before the main event, Blake has identified two promising races that catch his attention. The William Hill Handicap Hurdle at 13:20 is the first, where he's drawn to KAKA'S COUSIN, a relatively unexposed six-year-old trained by Jonjo and AJ O'Neill. With two wins from four hurdle starts, this promising youngster showed great potential in his recent novices' handicap hurdle at Sandown. The step up in distance is expected to suit him, and with a light weight, he's an attractive option at a fair price. Another competitive handicap chase is the William Hill Handicap Chase at 14:30, where CRUZ CONTROL, trained by Tom Lacey, seeks his third consecutive win. Having won the race in 2024 and 2025, he's well-positioned for a repeat performance, especially given his connections' strategy to bring him in fresh. After a couple of moderate runs earlier in the season, he's been granted a 3lb drop by the handicapper, making him an even more compelling choice. Lastly, the Randox Grand National at 16:00 takes center stage, and Blake has meticulously analyzed each runner in a video series on the At The Races YouTube channel. Here, he concisely presents his top four selections for the prestigious race.