JIM CULLOTY, one of the few men to have ridden the winners of both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National, is also the trainer of a Gold Cup winner. This afternoon, he could also be the trainer of a Grand National winner.

The Irish handler is doubly represented by Lord Windermere, winner of last year’s Gold Cup, whose welter burden of 11st 10lb puts him out of the reckoning in this afternoon’s £1 million Crabbie’s-sponsored Aintree showpiece.

But in Spring Heeled, Culloty has a horse more than capable of carrying off the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Winner of the Kim Muir Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, Spring Heeled has been trained this season with the National very much in mind. He never raced through the winter until February when he was far from disgraced when finishing fourth in a Grade 2 chase at Fairyhouse. That outing may have been all that is required to put the eight-year-old in prime position for this unique test.

A sound jumper, weighted just below 11st, which in some people’s eyes is a barrier to potential winners, Spring Heeled will enjoy the underfoot conditions on Merseyside and is expected to stay the marathon distance of nearly four and a half miles.

Culloty’s form is something of a worry as he has found winners very hard to come by for some time. But plenty will remember that he had gone six months without a winner before Spring Heeled won at Cheltenham last year and then, within a couple of days, he had added Lord Windermere’s Gold Cup to his takings.

All eyes will be on AP McCoy, who has his 20th and final Grand National ride on Shutthefrontdoor, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, who provided the legendary jockey with his only victory in the race on Don’t Push It in 2010.

Shutthefrontdoor has an Irish Grand National to his credit from last season and has been trained solely for this race.

Vibes from the O’Neill yard are encouraging and a bold bid is anticipated.

Paul Nicholls has strong claims with Unioniste and Rocky Creek. It would hardly be a surprise to see the champion trainer win with either of these two horses, who both have strong claims. Noel Fehily rides Unioniste, while stable jockey Sam Twiston-Davies pilots Kempton winner Rocky Creek, fifth in last year’s National.

A woman rider has never won this great race, but Nina Carberry has strong claims on First Lieutenant, trained by Mouse Morris, whose horses have bounced back to form lately.

The ten-year-old has his share of weight, but it would be no surprise to see him finish in the money.

Another bold show can be expected from Balthazar King, second to Pineau De Re in the National last year. Trainer Philip Hobbs has trained Balthazar King with the National as his priority. He promises to give Richard Johnson a great ride.

This is a race that remains something of a lottery. A clear round and clear run are paramount, coupled with staying ability and tremendous courage.

This is the Grand National. It is like nothing else.

TOM O'RYAN'S GRAND NATIONAL TOP FOUR: 1 Spring Heeled 2 Unioniste 3 First Lieutenant 4 Balthazar King