Grand National 2018: Runners and riders for Saturday's race confirmed

The field will consist of 38 horses after a flurry of withdrawals

Five late withdrawals from the Randox Health Grand National on Saturday has shaken up the running order as the 38-horse field prepare to handle the tricky ground conditions at Aintree.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Minella Rocco, runner-up in the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup and the top weight at 11st 10lb, was withdrawn due to the going on Friday, with Thunder and Roses taking the No 1 saddlecloth.

Vicente and Beeves also withdrew, with Delusionofgrandeur and Walk In The Mill taking their places, but the latter was ruled out on Saturday morning after pulling up lame and Regal Encore was withdrawn after returning an abnormal blood sample.

Blaklion is one of two runners for Nigel Twiston-Davies after he finished fourth in last year's race and he will be joined by stablemate Double Ross.

Gordon Elliott will aim to cap an unbelievable season with Tiger Roll, Ucello Conti and the 13-year-old Bless The Wings.

Blaklion returns after finishing fourth a year ago (Getty)

He is not the only teenager in the race, though, as fellow 13-year-old Raz De Maree will try to supplement the Welsh National he won in January when he was ridden by James Bowen.

This time Bowen rides Shantou Flyer for Richard Hobson, while his elder brother Sean will be on Warriors Tale for Paul Nicholls.

The Last Samuri was second to Rule The World two years ago and while he was unplaced last year, trainer Kim Bailey was delighted with his third behind Tiger Roll in the Cross Country at Cheltenham last time.

"I'm very happy with his preparation and I thought he ran a fantastic race in the Cross Country," Bailey told At The Races.

"He's as good as he was two years ago, but unfortunately he's carrying nearly a stone more than he was then, which makes it difficult."

Total Recall, Gold Cup third Anibale Fly, Seeyouatmidnight and Baie Des Iles, for the husband-and-wife team of Ross O'Sullivan and Katie Walsh, are other fancied runners.

The Last Samuri finished second behind eventual winner Rule The World two years ago (Getty)

Bryony Frost will ride in the National for the first time when she is reunited with Milansbar, on whom she won the Classic Chase at Warwick in January.

Rachael Blackmore will also ride over the Aintree fences for the first time as she has been recruited by Mouse Morris to partner Alpha Des Obeaux.

Full list:

1) THUNDER AND ROSES (Mouse Morris) 3 (out of 10)

Fell on his last two starts, which does not inspire confidence. Replaces Minella Rocco.

2) BLAKLION (Nigel Twiston-Davies) 7

Been in fine form since finishing fourth last year, but beaten a long way at Haydock last time out. Should still make his presence felt.

3) ANIBALE FLY (Tony Martin) 7

Career-best performance to take third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time, and looks a worthy ally for one of the shrewdest trainers in the game.

4) THE LAST SAMURI (Kim Bailey) 5

Runner-up in 2016, but not getting any younger and might find a few too sharp, despite showing up well at Cheltenham in the Cross Country .

5) VALSEUR LIDO (Henry de Bromhead) 4

Grade One winner in his pomp but things have not quite gone his way this year and others preferred.

6) TOTAL RECALL (Willie Mullins) 9

Fell in the Gold Cup but had previously been on fire over fences and hurdles. A big run looks guaranteed if he can stay on his feet.

7) ALPHA DES OBEAUX (Mouse Morris) 3

Trainer knows what it takes to win this race, but recent performances do not inspire confidence and best look elsewhere.

8) PERFECT CANDIDATE (Fergal O'Brien) 3

In-and-out performer and pulled up last year. Hard to make a case for.

9) SHANTOU FLYER (Richard Hobson) 4

Served connections well with a string of second-place finishes, but this is a different ball game.

10) TENOR NIVERNAIS (Venetia Williams) 2

Trainer won this with a 100-1 shot, but it would almost be a miracle for lightning to strike twice.

11) CARLINGFORD LOUGH (John Kiely) 4

Prolific Grade One winner in his halcyon days but he has regressed in recent times and is now 12 years old.

12) DELUSIONOFGRANDEUR (Sue Smith) 4

Four miles appeared to stretch him earlier in the year so far from certain to stay.

13) TIGER ROLL (Gordon Elliott) 10

Stunning winner at the Cheltenham Festival for a third time and looks a very well-handicapped horse. Proven levels of stamina and no issues with the ground. Massive chance.

14) REGAL ENCORE (Anthony Honeyball) 6 - NON-RUNNER

Won a nice contest at Ascot last time and finished eighth in the race last year. Might go well at big odds.

15) VIEUX LION ROUGE (David Pipe) 6

Largely struggled this season, but he knows the Aintree terrain pretty well and no surprise if his wily trainer had him spot-on for the big day.

16) CHASE THE SPUD (Fergal O'Brien) 4

Won nicely at Haydock in November but pulled up on his last two starts and needs to find something extra special to get involved.

17) WARRIORS TALE (Paul Nicholls) 6

Enters new territory over this sort of trip, but he is a decent jumper and is with the right connections to fight for a bit of each-way money.

18) SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT (Sandy Thomson) 7

Not an ideal preparation, but he has plenty of admirers and is definitely capable of having a big say following a reassuring comeback at Newbury.

19) GAS LINE BOY (Ian Williams) 6

Not getting any younger, but he is a sound operator over these fences. Solid each-way claims.

20) THE DUTCHMAN (Colin Tizzard) 7

Pulled up in a National trial in February, but suffered broken blood vessels. Interesting horse if back to the form that saw him win the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock.

21) PLEASANT COMPANY (Willie Mullins) 5

Sparingly campaigned since finishing ninth last year, but needs to take a huge step up on his two runs this season.

22) UCELLO CONTI (Gordon Elliott) 6

Disappointing when pulled up in the Thyestes last time, but his previous second to Anibale Fly makes him one for the shortlist and he has once again been campaigned for this race.

23) SAINT ARE (Tom George) 5

Thrives on the National challenge, having placed twice, but yet to show any sparkle in two starts this term.

24) WALK IN THE MILL (Robert Walford) 2

Pulled up last time, hard to see him bouncing back here.

25) RAZ DE MAREE (Gavin Cromwell) 6

Winner of the Welsh National and saved for this race. Testing conditions would aid his chances.

26) I JUST KNOW (Sue Smith) 5

Could give his supporters a decent run for their money judged on Catterick run in January, but this is a much tougher test.

27) VIRGILIO (Dan Skelton) 2

Classy in his younger days, not shown much this year and not a player.

28) BAIE DES ILES (Ross O'Sullivan) 8

Looks likely to be suited by the distance after running a fine trial at Punchestown and will want for nothing in the saddle with Katie Walsh booked.

29) MAGGIO (Patrick Griffin) 4

The trip may prove beyond him, although he has safely negotiated the National fences once.

30) PENDRA (Charlie Longsdon) 5

Jumped round in 2016, but ground would be a worry.

31) BUYWISE (Evan Williams) 6

Scored his first win in three years at Sandown back in January and while talented on his day, he does need things to fall right for him.

32) CHILDRENS LIST (Willie Mullins) 4

Beat Grade One winner Edwulf in 2016 but has not shown that form in two subsequent outings.

33) LORD WINDERMERE (Jim Culloty) 6

A former Gold Cup winner, he was an eyecatching seventh in the National last year after a troubled run off a 3lb higher mark, but only one run since.

34) CAPTAIN REDBEARD (Stuart Coltherd) 5

Distance is a question mark and found The Dutchman far too good on his penultimate start.

35) HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (Venetia Williams) 4

Tenth last year but hard to win with nowadays.

36) BLESS THE WINGS (Gordon Elliott) 5

Pulled up last time, although capable on his day.

37) MILANSBAR (Neil King) 6

Will stay all day and should give Bryony Frost a nice National introduction, but might lack the necessary class.

38) FINAL NUDGE (David Dennis) 5

His third in the Welsh National gives him a squeak, although this is a sterner test.

39) DOUBLE ROSS (Nigel Twiston-Davies) 5

Has dropped down the ratings a fair bit, but has jumped round Aintree before and ran well at Cheltenham last time.

40) ROAD TO RICHES (Noel Meade) 4 - NON-RUNNER

A Grade One winner in his day but nowhere near that form now.