SHOWJUMPING legend Harvey Smith has picked his winner for Saturday's Grand National.

Mr Smith and his wife, Sue, trained the 2013 Grand National winner, Auroras Encore, at their stables at High Eldwick, near Bingley, but they have no horses entered in this year's race.

He thinks last year's winner will do the double at Aintree Racecoure on Saturday.

"I think Many Clouds has got to be the favourite, hasn't he?" said Mr Smith, after the runners were confirmed this morning.

The Irish-bred thoroughbred, currently the bookies' favourite, is owned by Trevor Hemmings and trained by Oliver Sherwood at his Berkshire stables.

The 40 runners were confirmed this morning and include familiar Grand National horses such as The Druids Nephew and Shutthefrontdoor.

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Today is the Grand Opening Day of the Crabbie's Grand National Festival at Liverpool.

It is estimated 25 per cent of adults in the UK will bet on the Grand National, with most people likely to place a small each-way bet on a horse based on its name.

The race will starts at 5.15pm on Saturday and be shown on Channel 4.

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