Saturday 14 April 2018 17:20, UK
Deciding who to back in the Grand National (Saturday, 5:15) is a tricky decision. Do you follow your heart or your head? But fear not football fans, Lewis Jones has simplified the process to tell you who to back, based on which football team you support...
MANCHESTER CITY fans should back Total Recall (11/1 with Sky Bet): The class act in the field, whose fortunes have been revitalised by his trainer. Is he adaptable enough though for the National test?
MANCHESTER UNITED: Shantou Flyer (33/1 with Sky Bet): Has a touch of second-itus. No doubting his class and will have a big following on the day.
LIVERPOOL: Perfect Candidate (66/1 with Sky Bet): Likely to press hard from the front, which may bring lucrative rewards. The trainer in his corner is as charismatic as they come - the Jurgen Klopp of the racing scene.
TOTTENHAM: Warriors Tale (50/1 with Sky Bet): Doubts about staying the trip, yet more than capable of ending his trophy drought. Has a genius in his corner.
CHELSEA: Alpha Des Obeaux (40/1 with Sky Bet): This hasn't been his year. Plenty of chances created, but he rarely takes them. Still, on his day, he's a match for anyone.
ARSENAL: Carlingford Lough (66/1 with Sky Bet): His fanbase are restless. His race tactics aren't what they used to be. Needs freshening up as he looks stuck in his ways.
LEICESTER CITY: Lord Windermere (100/1 with Sky Bet): Once won the biggest prize of them all but tends to look over his shoulder instead of up these days.
BURNLEY: Tiger Roll (11/1 with Sky Bet): Tough, gritty and full of enthusiasm for the game. Like Sean Dyche's men, he won't go down due to his tidy tactics.
EVERTON: Blaklion (11/1 with Sky Bet): Has Big Sam in the saddle. Very much saves his best for his home track on Merseyside. Winless on the road since 2016.
BOURNEMOUTH: Double Ross (100/1 with Sky Bet): Very likeable. His displays are always full of exuberance.
NEWCASTLE: Seeyouatmidnight (25/1 with Sky Bet): In the midst of an ownership takeover. The last two years have been frustrating but there could be light at the end of the tunnel.
WATFORD: Milansbar (50/1 with Sky Bet): Spot the yellow colours. Accustomed to change in the saddle (had five different jockeys this year) but seems comfortable and upwardly mobile with current pilot.
WEST HAM: Tenor Nivernais (100/1 with Sky Bet): All is not well at home in the stable. The strike-rate is well down on usual campaigns.
BRIGHTON: Raz De Maree (50/1 with Sky Bet): Carries the blue and whites colours with pride. Has a profile that a professional punter, like Tony Bloom, the Brighton chairman, may warm to.
SWANSEA: Buywise (66/1 with Sky Bet): Flying the flag for Wales. Can look down and out during his races but possesses a dynamic and surprising late surge.
CRYSTAL PALACE: Ucello Conti (33/1 with Sky Bet): Plenty of pace and power within his ranks yet throwing away winning opportunities is restricting his progress.
HUDDERSFIELD: Captain Redbeard (25/1 with Sky Bet): Punching above his weight all season for his small yard. Does lack a touch of class but looks likely to fully stay the trip.
STOKE: Saint Are (50/1 with Sky Bet): Previously accustomed to solid finishes in the National (2nd in 2015, 3rd in 2017) but looks a shadow of his former self this season.
SOUTHAMPTON: Bless The Wings (66/1 with Sky Bet): Classy on his day but scruffy getting over obstacles. Unfortunately, stands a good chance of going down.
WEST BROM: Virgilio (100/1 with Sky Bet): Doesn't look in love with the game this season. Can't buy a win. Some would call him a no hoper.
