Grand National weekend is one of the top occasions of the year and there are lots of things to look out for ahead of the big race, which takes place on April 11th.

McCoy's last National

AP McCoy is horse racing's most famous ever jockey and he is in his last season.

McCoy has only won the National once and this year he is expected to be on board the race favourite, Shutthefrontdoor.

It would be one of the most incredible stories in sporting history if McCoy was able to crown 20 years at the top of the sport with another win in the biggest race of them all.

The Grand National is arguably the biggest test there is for a jockey, with the combination of a crowded field, often muddy ground and a series of extremely challenging fences making it hard to even pilot a horse around the track safely.

McCoy will want to go out in style, so whichever horse he is on will have a lot of attention.

Grand National Day - place your bets now.

Ladies Day outfits

Ladies Day at Aintree is one of the most glamorous days of the year, with women going all out to impress with their stylish and stunning outfits.

Outlandish headgear is the order of the day and it is almost as though there is a competition for the most eye-catching headwear on show on the day.

This year's Ladies Day is set to take place on April 10th and there will be a prize for the Best Dressed woman on the day.

With big races such as the The Topham Steeplechase, Melling Steeplechase and the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle scheduled for the Friday of National weekend, Ladies Day is sure to be one of the top highlights, as ever.

Upsets

Favourites do not usually fare too well at the Grand National and it is often one of the unfancied horses that reaches the winning post first, resulting in massive winnings for those punters lucky enough to pick the winner. 

Mon Mome was a 100/1 winner back in 2009 in one of the most painful days in recent history for the bookmakers, with Comply Or Die and Hedgehunter the only two heavily backed favourites to have triumphed in the last ten years.

Each of the last three winning horses have been 11 years old, so perhaps this is a figure to look out for when making selections for this year's race.

Mullins' sole hope?

Willie Mullins is one of the legends of horse racing and his mounts are always worth keeping an eye on in the betting.

But this year it seems likely there will only be one Mullins horse starting the race - Ballycasey.

With tempting long odds available on the 8-year-old, punters might fancy a go on Ballycasey if Mullins is willing to put all of his faith in the horse. 

The defending champion

The 2014 Grand National winner Pineau De Re was available at odds of around 25/1 ahead of the race last year and anyone who fancies the horse to make history by defending the title will be able to find similar odds again this year.

Red Rum was the last horse to win the National more than once and Pineau De Re is not thought to be that good, but the bookmakers are dangling out tempting odds for the defending Grand National champion.