Expert Grand National Predictions: Kevin Blake's Top Picks

The highly anticipated Grand National day has finally arrived, and Kevin Blake is sharing his top four predicted finishers for the renowned Aintree race, along with his top betting picks for 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. He's backing KAKA'S COUSIN, a relatively unexposed six-year-old trained by Jonjo and AJ O'Neill, who has shown promise in his four hurdle starts, winning two of them. His recent performance in a competitive novices' handicap hurdle at Sandown was encouraging, and the step up in distance is expected to suit him, making him an attractive bet at a fair price. Another highly competitive event is the William Hill Handicap Chase at 14:30, where CRUZ CONTROL, trained by Tom Lacey, is aiming for his third consecutive win. Having won the race in 2024 and 2025, he's well-positioned to repeat his success, especially with a 3lb drop in his handicap mark. Finally, Blake turns his attention to the Randox Grand National at 16:00, one of the world's most iconic sporting events. Without repeating his in-depth analysis from his At The Races column, Blake will provide his top four predicted finishers for the Grand National, capping off an exciting day of racing.