Highland Lodge, a course specialist trained by Jimmy Moffatt in the Lake District where the spruce that dresses Aintree’s iconic fences is cut, can book his place in the annals of steeplechasing history by winning the 170th Randox Health Grand National.

Bookmakers are predicting that their regular punters and those who enjoy a once-a-year flutter on the race will bet £250 million on Saturday’s race, one of the most open Nationals that I can remember.

Definity Red is likely to be sent off favourite because he will be popular with both; his recent form suggests he is 10lbs well in and, though the purists will scoff, because he has ‘red’ in his name.

Red Rum – it is the 40th anniversary of his third win – Red Alligator and Red Marauder have won five Nationals between them. The only other colour to have triumphed in the National is silver.