Many people are looking to place their Grand National bets as the big event is just a few days away. It is the ultimate test of horse and rider as they race round the famous Aintree racecourse for 2 laps travelling 4 miles 514 yards. They must also jump 30 fences including the infamous Becher's Brook, Canal Turn and the Chair. Check out the infographic below which compares horse racing, show jumping and dressage on the difficulty for horse and rider and their training.

The 2018 edition of the race looks to be as competitive as ever with several Irish horses looking to hold strong claims. This is following on from their incredible performance at the Cheltenham festival as they dominated throughout. One Irish horse that holds strong claims if contesting the race is multiple Cheltenham festival race winner Tiger Roll. He is currently 11/1 with Betfair to win the race.

The 8 year old Tiger Roll went into the 2018 Cheltenham festival as a live contender for the Cross Country. However with a preference for good ground there were reservations as to whether he would be able to show his top form. He was sent off as a 7/1 chance and travelled like the best horse throughout for trainer Gordon Elliott. Tiger was briefly challenged by the French horse urgent De Gregaine but stayed on well to win by 2 lengths. This was a top performance over 3 miles 6 furlongs and no doubt his trainer will be looking to take the same route as they did with Cause of Causes last season. He was victorious in the Cross Country and went on to finish a close second in the Grand National just a few weeks later.

There are a few negatives however as he has had jumping issues in the past and with the incredibly testing fences throughout this could come to fruition again. His trainer has had a stunning season with a lot of big race success including the JLT and Neptune at the Cheltenham festival. The Neptune win was with the next rising star of National hunt racing in Samcro who looks to be living up to the hype he has had throughout his novice season. If he is able to keep improving over fences he could just follow in the footsteps of the same connections Don Cossack who was victorious in the 2016 Gold Cup.