It may be several months away, but owners and trainers are constantly making plans for their Aintree hopefuls.
Do you have an early fancy yourself? Perhaps it is one of these six?
Royal Vacation (Colin Tizzard, 40/1)
Connections of Royal Vacation are hoping he can turn into a contender for next year's Grand National.
After losing his form somewhat, the Colin Tizzard-trained eight-year-old made an encouraging return at Cheltenham in the BetVictor Chase (formerly The Mackeson) when chasing home Rock The Kasbah.
Joe Tizzard, assistant to his father, said: "He opened himself up to be considered for the Grand National with that run.
"I don't know what (owner) Jean Bishop is thinking, because we have not really talked about it - but having run like that, it is on our minds. He ran well at Cheltenham and got that three-mile three trip well.
"He had a quiet last season, and it was nice to get him back in the direction he was heading before."
Abolitionist (Dr Richard Newland, 33/1)
Dr Richard Newland sent out Pineau De Re to win the Grand National in 2014 and already has his eye on the 2019 renewal with Abolitionist.
Formerly trained in Ireland by Ellmarie Holden, Abolitionist finished second to Empire Of Dirt in the Troytown Chase at Navan before landing the Leinster National at Naas, with his last season with Holden reaching its pinnacle with third place in the 2017 Irish Grand National.
The ten-year-old made the perfect start for current connections when landing the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle by 10 lengths at Aintree on November 10th.
Always travelling well at the front of the pack, Sam Twiston-Davies kicked for home after the final flight and the 11/8 favourite came home an easy 10-length scorer over The Organist with Jacks Last Hope a further five lengths back in third.
Abolitionist was taking advantage of a favourable handicap mark over the smaller obstacles, but he will need to win at least two decent chases if he is to climb back up the ratings in order to make the cut for the Grand National on April 6th of next year.
Tiger Roll (Gordon Elliott, 20/1)
Tiger Roll is bidding to become the first horse to land back-to-back victories in the Grand National since the great Red Rum in 1973-74 and bookmakers are generally quoting him as a 20/1 shot to emulate the Ginger McCain-trained legend.
There is no doubt that the diminutive gelding has the heart of a lion, but the fact remains that for the last 45 years no horse has ever been able to follow up and win the world’s ultimate steeplechase again the year after.
“We will keep him in cross-country races the whole year up to the Grand National," said Elliott.
"I think the Grand National will be a big ask, as he is not the biggest horse in the world and he is going to have an awful lot of weight in the National.
"If you are not in it, you can't win, and he proved he liked the track. If we get there we would be delighted."
He went on: "When we bought him I never expected to him to do what he has. He has been an amazing little horse and is a favourite at home. If I can get him back to Cheltenham and win four times that would be special for me."
Vintage Clouds (Sue Smith, 25/1)
Sue Smith’s flying grey, who missed out narrowly on making the Grand National cut last season, should be rated high enough now to make the race.
In Trevor Hemmings’ familiar colours, Danny Cook guided Vintage Clouds home in a competitive Handicap Chase that concluded the card on Betfair Chase Day at Haydock Park.
Takingrisks’ strong late run cut the deficit to half a length at the end but the eight-year-old jumped with aplomb. The winner was giving the runner-up 20lbs and should get into the Grand National after that fine effort.
Mick Meagher, Trevor Hemmings’ racing manager, said that the build-up races for the gelding before then would be the Welsh Grand National or the Rowland Meyrick.
Ballyoptic (Nigel Twiston-Davies, 33/1)
Ballyoptic is looking to earn himself a tilt at Grand National glory with a warm up run in the Becher Chase at Aintree next Saturday being his next port of call.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained eight-year-old was a high-class staying hurdler a few seasons ago and rounded off his first season over fences by finishing second by a whisker to Joe Farrell in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, who is no stranger to Becher success, is looking forward to seeing Ballyoptic tackle the National fences at Aintree.
He said: "It was a massive run from him up at Ayr and the plan is to go get some experience over the National fences, so that is why he was taken out of the Ladbrokes Trophy and will go to the Becher.
"He has got to brush up on his jumping, but there is no reason why he can't be a National horse.
"He was very strong at the back end of four miles at Ayr and it is definitely something that should be up his street. He has that bit of class and if he gets in a good rhythm he could go well."
Traffic Fluide (Garry Moore, 50/1)
The eight-year-old has returned this season in fine form and has the Grand National as his target next year.
Moore's revitalised chaser finished second on his reappearance behind The Young Master then went one better at Ascot in a thrilling finish to the Sodexo Gold Cup.
Moore said: “The main plan is still the Grand National and he won’t run until about a month before it.
“He’s taken the race at Ascot very well. I’ve never trained one for the National before, but I do feel he is made for it.”
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
