Tiger Roll and Davy Russell (far side) prevail by a head in the 2018 Randox Health Grand National. (Pic: Courtesy of Aintree Racecourse).

Horse Talk with Simon Jackson:

Top horse racing tips and the latest news.

Tiger Roll is one of the shortest-priced favourites in Grand National history as he bids to secure back to back victories in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

Tiger Roll is trading at odds of 7-2 with most firms as he attempts to become the first horse since Red Rum (1973, 1974 & 1977) to win the Grand National twice.

The nine-year-old heads 69 entries at the five-day declaration stage today (April 1) and is one of 16 entries for Irish trainer Gordon Elliott who targets a third win in the Grand National after the victories of Silver Birch (2007) and Tiger Roll last year.

Tiger Roll (11st 5lb) is unbeaten in two starts this season after winning a Grade 2 Hurdle at Navan in February and the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival for the second consecutive year.

The cross country chase was Tiger Roll’s fourth Cheltenham Festival victory in total after wins in the JCB Triumph Hurdle (2014) and the JT McNamara National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase (2017).

The shortest-priced favourite in the history of the Grand National was Golden Miller who was a 2-1 shot in the 1935 renewal.

Meanwhile Andrew Tulloch, clerk of the course at Aintree provided an update on ground conditions late this afternoon ahead of the three-day Randox Health Grand National Festival which commences on Thursday, April 4.

The current going at Aintree has changed to:

Mildmay Course – Good 

Hurdle Course – Good 

Grand National Course – Good, Good to Soft in places 

Tulloch reported: “We have had an overcast day, but with a drying wind, so I am calling it Good all round on the Mildmay and Hurdle Courses and Good, Good to Soft in places on the Grand National Course.

“There is rain forecast overnight and through into the early part of tomorrow, totalling around 10 millimetres and finishing around mid-morning. I will assess the going after that. We are forecast showery weather during the week. We will assess on each day.

“It has been an odd winter, it has been dry, then it has been wet, now it has turned dry again. We started cutting the grass slightly earlier than usual, but it has levelled off now.

“We are pleased with where we are. We started watering a week ago and there is plenty of moisture there, but I will see where we are in the morning.”

Horse Talk with Simon Jackson. Showcasing horse racing in London and the south east.