Ok, on paper with 40 runners hurtling over 30 fences for 4 ½ miles then betting on the Grand National does have quite a daunting look to it – however, despite those scary factors by applying a few simple past trends and tips you can often whittle the field down – making finding the Grand National winner a whole lot easier – Andy Newton explains.........

Weight Watchers: The 2010 winner Don’t Push It carried 11st 5lbs to victory, but make this weight your absolute cut-off point. You have to go back to the 1977 Grand National to find the last winner to lump more than that to victory – and that was the mighty Red Rum (11-8), while since Rummy’s win that year a massive 94 horses have tried to shoulder 11-5 or more and they’ve ALL failed to win!

Staying Power: Stamina is an absolute must when scanning down the runners. Every year there is always plenty of talking horses that are certainly talented, but the big question surrounding their chance is - will they stay the gruelling 4m 1/2f trip? You have to trawl back the past winners to 1970, and a horse called Gay Trip, to find the last victor that won the Grand National having not previously won over at least 3 miles.

Age Concern: Experience is key when looking back at past Grand National winners with horses aged 9 years-old or OLDER seemingly the ones to focus on. A monster 16 of the last 17 winners fell into that age bracket, while you have to go back to 1940 (Bogskar) to find the last 7 year-old – not great news if you fancy this year’s Racing Post Chase winner Quinz. In fact in the last 10 years thirty 6 or 7 year-olds have gone to post and not a single one has even been placed! 9 or 10 year-olds have won all of the last six runnings, but don’t be too put off if your fancy is in their twilight years as in recent times Amberleigh House & Royal Athlete, both 12, and Red Marauder & Miinnehoma, both 11 all flew the flag for the older generation.

Luck Of The Irish: Our friends from the Emerald Isle have raided these shores to win the Aintree Grand National six times in the last 12 renewals, so be sure to take a second glance at any of their runners this year. Willie Mullins’ The Midnight Club looks their main hope this time and is already favourite in the betting with most layers, while Oscar Time, Backstage and Arbor Supreme are oterh Irish contenders to note.

Fencing Master: With 30 of the most unique obstacles in horse racing to negotiate then having previous form over them can pay dividends. Seven of the last 10 winners had been tried over the Grand National fences before, with the Topham Chase, Becher Chase or a previous run in the big race itself the main races to look out for.

Who’s Your Favourite: The betting on the Grand National always picks up pace in the weeks leading up to the big day, but on the day itself when the once-a-year punters hit the high streets this is when the market really hots-up. Last year Don’t Push It was heavily backed in the final hour and was eventually sent off the 10/1 joint-favourite, making him the third winning favourite in the last 10 years, but should your fancy hit a low of 7/1 then stand up and take note – in the last 15 years this has been the most popular winning SP, coming up trumps 4 times!

Cheltenham Hoodoo: Ok, so not many (if any) will fit the bill here, but it’s worth nothing that since 1961 only won Grand National winner (Silver Birch) had previously won at the Cheltenham Festival that season. Before winning 12 months ago Don’t Push It was pulled up in the Pertemps Final Hurdle, a race he ran in again this season, but it’s not really advisable to back a horse that recently raced at Prestbury Park as there’s a strong chance that was their preferred target. David Pipe’s Junior is the obvious one that fits the bill here, but he still needs plenty of horses to come out of the race if he’s to make the final line-up.

Form Guide: Of the last 10 winners, 6 of them came into the race off the back of relatively poor runs, finishing fifth or worse, so don’t panic if the one that’s going to carry your hard-earned doesn’t look to be in the form of its life. This race is all about getting one primed to run at its peak on the day and this is further backed up with recent winners like Monty’s Pass, Papillon and Don’t Push It all having their previous runs over hurdles.

Don’t Be Blinkered: Yes, this final pointer might be a bit left field, but it’s still worth a mention. Horses wearing headgear, in particular blinkers, do not have the best of records. True, 12 months ago Black Apalachi ran second in cheek-pieces, but when looking back a long way over the past winners, it’s only Comply or Die who’s won the race wearing a pair of blinkers.