It’s the Grand National today (Saturday, April 9) and the winner will ride away with a first prize of £500,000. But could you win yourself with a flutter on a local horse?

Wiltshire trainer Emma Lavelle has two horses from her Bonita Racing Stables, near Marlborough, in the world’s most famous race – De Rasher Counter, ridden by Adam Wedge, and Éclair Surf, ridden by Tom Bellamy.

The owners and bookies are excited for the chances of both horses romping home to cheers at the finish line of the four-mile course at which 30 fences will be jumped over two laps.

And as is known by everyone who has ever had a bet on the National since it was first run in 1839, it can often be anyone’s race.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Emma Lavelle and husband Barry at their stables near Marlborough.Emma Lavelle and husband Barry at their stables near Marlborough.

"It's really good news, it's so exciting to have two horses in the Grand National who both have decent chances," Emma Lavelle told the Racing Post. "You need luck in running but they've both had the right kind of prep and are the sort of horse you want."

The Racing Post reports: “Emma Lavelle reported stablemate De Rasher Counter has been sparkling in his preparations at home for his Aintree assignment, for which he races off the same mark as he did when winning the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury more than two years ago.

"’He's absolutely flying’, she said."

Owen Goulding of the Racing Post’s Punting Club is backing the Wiltshire horse.

He said: “My fancy for this year's National is De Rasher Counter, who carries 10st 12lb. Emma Lavelle has been speaking very positively about the 2019 Ladbrokes Trophy winner, who returned from a 489-day injury absence with a good fourth in a Newbury Grade 2 in February. He races off a mark of 149 on Saturday, the same as the Ladbrokes Trophy, and provided he takes to the National fences I think he has an excellent chance.”

HorseRacing.Net’s Russell Palmer agrees. He said: “The 10 year old has three chase wins from 10 runs and is coming here off the back of a return to racing following a long lay-off at Newbury in the Denman Chase in March. He does have some good form landing the Ladbrokes Trophy in 2019 which is run over three miles and two furlongs and he races here off the same mark he had that day here. His jumping should stand up here having only one career fall to his name.”

Meanwhile, Éclair Surf, has caused a flutter of excitement since he was confirmed on Thursday as being among the final 40 runners.

Racing Post reported: “The news sparked some interest in the betting market with Eclair Surf cut to 12-1 (from 14s) and he may head to Aintree as the second best British-trained chance according to bookmakers.”