DORSET trainer Joe Tizzard is sending a small team of runners to the north west this weekend as the Grand National meeting at Aintree kicks off today. 

While much of the meeting surrounds the big race itself on Saturday at 4pm, and Tizzard does have a runner in the big one, another of his stable stars is in Grade 1 action in the north west. 

Elixir De Nutz, a brilliant winner of the Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham two starts ago, will be bidding to make up for an under-par display in the Champion Chase at the Festival when lining up in the Grade 1 Melling Chase on Friday.

Elixir De Nutz is seen as one of the outsiders by the bookmakers however, priced up at 33/1 with Betfair and to topple favourite Jonbon, who Elixir De Nutz beat in the Clarence House. 

READ MORE: Eldorado Allen primed for Grand National as Dorset's only hope

Killer Kane has a couple of entries at the Festival as Tizzard decides where to place him, either the Handicap Chase on Saturday or the Topham tomorrow. 

JPR One has an entry in the Maghull Novices' Chase, another Grade 1 race at the meeting, on Saturday and can return a price of 12/1 should he pick up the win. 

And finally, Dorset’s big hope is Eldorado Allen in the Grand National itself for Tizzard but again, the bookmakers are not too high on his chances, with prices of 100/1 being bandied about the horse. The shortest is 66/1 with Betfair.

Grand National odds (Betfair): Corach Rambler 5/1; I Am Maximus 7/1; Meetingofthewaters 8/1; Vanillier 9/1; Panda Boy 10/1; Mr Incredible 12/1; Mahler Mission, Limerick Lace, Kitty’s Light 14/1; Minella Indo, Nassalam 16/1; Noble Yeats 20/1; Chemical Energy, Latenightpass, Galia Des Liteaux, Delta Work 25/1; Coko Beach 28/1; Galvin, Desertmore House, Shaem Up’arry, Stattler, Adamantly Chosen, Capodanno 33/1; 40/1 bar.