Last year's Grand National winner Many Clouds will bid to emulate Red Rum by winning back-to-back runnings as 40 horses line up on Saturday. Jockey Leighton Aspell, also successful in 2014 on Pineau De Re, is seeking a historic third consecutive victory in the famous race over 30 fences. No jockey has won three Nationals in a row and should Leighton Aspell conjure it he would ascend into folklore with the other racing gods!

He will need the help of a good horse and with Many Clouds he has one. This week his trainer Oliver Sherwood told Trainer Quotes: I couldn't be happier with Clouds, he's in A1 condition and it's now all systems go. I couldn't have asked for a better preparation so far and with just a few days to go fingers crossed that carries on – everything has gone according to plan. The horse has not missed a beat since his win at Kelso and we schooled him (Leighton rode) over 9 fences yesterday (Wednesday), which, again, I couldn't have been happier with.

Yes, this looks a slightly hotter race than 12 months ago, but we've only a pound extra to carry and we know the horse acts over the fences and loves the track, which are big pluses. He certainly ticks all the boxes for me, and whereas last year the race was a bit of an after-thought after the Gold Cup, this year it's been his target all season. To be mentioned in the same breath as the mighty Red Rum - should he land back-to-back wins - gives me a shiver down my spine, and in recent times we've got as good a chance as any of trying to repeat that amazing feat.

After his win last year the expectations are, of course, a lot higher, but, as I say, we couldn't be happier. The recent rain will be fine, as long as they don't get a bucket-load, but good-to-soft or soft ground on the day will be ideal. Of course, in this race every horse needs a lot of luck in-running, but Leighton will also be chasing a record-breaking third straight win in the race, so our horse will have no better pilot - roll on Saturday!

Many Clouds defied 11st 9lb to land last year's Crabbies Grand National and the biggest weight-carrying performance since Red Rum won his second under 12 stone in 1974. He is up 5lbs in the ratings since last year when beating Saint Are (now 2lb better off) by just under two lengths.

With a clear run he is certain to be involved but our idea of the first four is:

1st Silviniaco Conti 14/1
2nd Many Clouds 8/1fav
3rd The Druids Nephew 16/1
4th Buywise 50/1

Many Clouds has had an almost perfect preparation this season, failing by four lengths to give 5lb to the Gold Cup third Don Poli on Aintree's Mildmay Course on his reappearance in December before chasing home the Hennessy winner Smad Place at Cheltenham in January. He then became the first National winner since Bindaree in 2002 to win subsequently over fences when slamming Unioniste (hard to see him turning the tables even on 12lb better terms) by 10 lengths in a renowned National trial at Kelso where he jumped superbly.