1995 Grand National trainer Jenny Pitman, which at that time was the largest number of horses prepared for one Grand National by a single trainer. For the first time since 1979, the triple National winner Red Rum did not lead the parade of competitors due to old age and failing health. The record breaking winner died later that year. 40 runners were declared on the Tuesday before the race but five, including Tartan Tyrant, were withdrawn before raceday. That left 35 to face the starter, which for the second consecutive year was Simon Morant who again despatched the field at the first attempt.
2012 Grand National runners. Among those were 2012 Thyestes Chase winner On His Own, and West End Rocker who finished a comfortable first in the Becher Chase in December 2011. Other trainers returning to the race included Kim Bailey, who had success with Mr. Frisk in the 1990 National, with ten-year-old Midnight Haze; Gordon Elliott, who trained the 2007 winner Silver Birch, with the grey Chicago Grey; and Ted Walsh, responsible for Papillon's victory in 2000 (his son Ruby took that ride), with Seabass who was ridden by his daughter Katie in her first Grand National. With both Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry