At The Races

Started favourite for this race 12 months ago after wins at Haydock, Ayr and Doncaster but never truly got into contention having been held up much of the way, eventually finishing a respectable sixth to Comply Or Die. Showed he retains his spark when battling to a head victory over Glasker Mill in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January but a first fence fall at Kelso on his latest start was hardly the ideal prep for this and his big weight leaves him with an even tougher task than 12 months ago.

Stamina ran out early when ninth to Comply Or Die in this race last year; moving up stylishly to lead at the Canal Turn but had no extra to offer once headed at the fourth last. Has produced improved form this term, winning twice before Christmas and running a lifetime best when third to Neptune Collonges in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. Not disgraced when fourth under a big weight in the Leinster National at Naas on his latest start, but looks to have it all to do here given his effort 12 months ago.

Doesn't always look the most straightforward but took to Aintree's big fences really well when third in the 2008 National, always close up and beaten only after making a slight error at the last. Yet to peak this term but showed promise when runner-up to Black Apalachi at Fairyhouse on his latest start and will have been trained specifically for this race. Has a big weight to carry again but form around these fences is a big plus and looks sure to give another solid account given his yard's excellent form at last month's Cheltenham Festival.

Sent off a 66/1 outsider last year but was just starting to creep into the race when unseating his rider at Valentines - five out - when still yet to be asked for his effort. Bounced back with a great effort when winning the Old Roan around the Mildmay course in October (Exotic Dancer and Voy Por Ustedes behind) but has since been down the field in the Hennessy and Gold Cup. Inconsistent, but comes from a yard with a proven record in this race and could be one of the more interesting outsiders despite his big weight.

Winner of last year's National, David Pipe's chaser took to the Aintree fences brilliantly 10 months ago and ran out a convincing winner from King John's Castle having travelled supremely well throughout. That win came off the back of some fine efforts earlier in the year, notably when a narrow second to Cloudy Lane at Haydock and when scoring by eight lengths in the Eider Chase at Newcastle. This season has been much more low-profile and he started the season with lacklustre efforts in handicap chases at Cheltenham in November and December. However, his yard was out of form at the time and he posted a much more promising run when seventh to Wichita Lineman in the William Hill Trophy at the Festival, racing well for a long way before being left behind as the pace quickened. Significantly that was his first run in headgear since his National win and should have put him spot on for a repeat bid.

Largely inconsistent performer who has been trapped between graded races and handicaps for much of his career. Endured a disappointing start to the season but showed better form when fifth to Nacarat in the Racing Post Chase and when eighth to Wichita Lineman in the William Hill Trophy. An enthusiastic front-runner who could take well to these fences, but the combination of his big weight and diminutive frame are not ideal.

Won the Red Rum Chase over the Mildmay Fences last season and has put up some fair efforts this term; notably when scoring over 2m 5f at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and when fourth to New Little Bric in a valuable handicap at Newbury. Might have been feeling the after effects of that run when tailed off at Cheltenham (always in rear) on his latest start but that is hardly the ideal preparation for this and has also to prove that he stays three miles let alone four and a half.

Whooshed up the ante-post markets for this when landing the Becher Chase over the National fences back in November by a distance from Mr Pointment, leading from the 7th and never looking like being headed once going clear at the fourth last. Compounded his claims with an easy win over Snowy Morning in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, again making most of the running and powering home to score by 17 lengths. Those wins came on soft ground but has run well on faster - notably when second at the Punchestown Festival last year; also has a likeable attitude, stays really well and racing style should suit the National so has to have a leading chance though the one nagging doubt his supporters will have is that he got no further than the second fence in this race last year.

Sprung a 33/1 shock in the Irish National last year when storming home 12 lengths ahead of favourite Royal County Star with subsequent Welsh National winner Notre Pere back in third place. Will have been trained specifically for this race and all went swimmingly for him as he was kept to hurdles for the first half of the season, running notably well when sixth in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas. However, things didn't go to plan when he reverted to fences at Gowran last time, where he made early mistakes and was well beaten when departing at the second last. That's not the ideal prep for Aintree and his jumping record is patchy at best having fallen twice when the chips were down as a novice.

A progressive handicap chaser in Ireland who shapes as though he has a big race in him. Already a dual winner of Gowran's valuable Thyestes Chase, he beat Black Apalachi, Newbay Prop, Point Barrow and Chelsea Harbour in that race two years ago before beating Chelsea Harbour again in 2009. Seventh behind Hear The Echo in last year's Irish National, he's had a lighter campaign this season and supporters won't be too downhearted following his ninth in the Leinster National last time as he was held up and not given a hard race by any means. Looks a shade high in the handicap at the moment, but is respected and open to improvement over this marathon trip.

This ultra-consistent chaser has gone two and a half years without a win but again gave the strong impression that he's capable of winning a major long distance handicap when catching the eye behind Kauto Star in the Gold Cup, belying his odds of 100/1 to finish fifth; running on really strongly up the straight to finish just two lengths off Neptune Collonges. Comes here relatively fresh as that was just his second run of the season - had been a good fifth in the Hennessy on his other start - and showed smart spring form two years ago when second to Exotic Dancer in the Betfair Bowl here and third to Hot Weld in the then Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown. A classy type who stays very well, acts on any ground and must have a great chance of ending his trainer's hitherto dreadful record in the race.

A leading fancy for the National following his defeat of Bewleys Berry in the 2006 Becher Chase, but was pulled up behind Silver Birch the following April and not seen since. Stays very well and has only a handful of miles on the clock (has run just 12 times in eight years) but at the age of 13 his chance of Aintree glory has surely gone.

Looked to have the potential to go right to the top when bolting up in the 2006 Hennessy but was not able to make the transition to Grade 1 company and has struggled since in both in stakes and handicap company since. Did prove that he still has the ability to win races when beating Ollie Magern in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby at the start of the season and wasn't totally disgraced behind Nozic at that track over Christmas. Appears to have been kept fresh for this and has also been given a chance by the handicapper so plenty to enthuse about given that he's also a guaranteed stayer, a sound jumper and acts on most surfaces (won at this meeting in 2006).

Experience over fences has been restricted to just four races but has proven himself to be a classy type, chasing home Wichita Lineman and Ballyfitz on his first two starts. He eventually got off the mark when landing the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster by 11 lengths from Ungaro before running respectably behind Nacarat when third in the Racing Post Chase. Shapes as though he will stay much further and his last two starts have been in competitive handicaps, but there remains a concern about his lack of chasing experience in this ultimate examination of jumping.

Has been a standing dish in long-distance handicaps in recent seasons, putting up excellent placed efforts in races such as the Kim Muir, Welsh National, Totesport Classic, Sky Bet Chase, Red Square Vodka Gold Cup and William Hill Trophy. Gained well-deserved reward for all those consistent performances when beating Star De Mohaison at Cheltenham last December but paid for that with another hike in the handicap and has been unable to get competitive on his last three starts. This is no easier task and although he will stay and jump well just looks to have too much weight to carry here.

Winner of the 2007 National having taken races such as the Welsh National and Becher Chase earlier in his career, but then spent all of last season on the sidelines. Returned to action with a win in a point-to-point but then pulled up between the flags on his next start and made no impression on his return to rules action when ninth in a handicap hurdle at Navan. Hard to assess just how much ability he retains, but is not totally decrepit at the age of 12 and his record at Aintree - 2 wins from 3 starts - speaks for itself. Place chances if able to bounce back from his last two runs.

A leading fancy for this last year and was moving ominously well when knuckling on landing at Bechers on the second circuit. He looked to have taken really well to the course up to that point and was just moving up to the leaders at the time of his departure, where he didn't suffer a particularly heavy fall. Successful in the four-mile National Hunt Chase at the Festival and the Irish National in 2006/07, he looks sure to stay this trip despite being a French-bred, and shaped with a lot of promise when fifth in the Kim Muir at the Festival on his latest start, a race not run to suit his stamina-laden profile. Without doubt trained for this race and looks by far the pick of the weights - surely only the McCoy curse can prevent him from reaching the frame at least this time.

A very interesting contender who has won all but one of his completed starts over fences, including one event at Grade 1 level. Successful in four races over fences in his novice season two years ago, culminating with a win in the Grade 1 Ellier Developments Novices' Chase at the Punchestown Festival, benefitting from the final fence departure of Aces Four but still beating Knight Legend, One Cool Cookie and Snowy Morning by a wide margin. His campaign last term was restricted to just two starts and he only made his reappearance this season as recently as March, when he ran second in a handicap hurdle at Navan. He really caught the eye on that occasion as he travelled well for a long way - jumping arguably too big over the smaller obstacles. He was beaten seven lengths in the end, but the winner was the subject of a real gamble and he had some useful yardsticks behind him as well as Silver Birch. The big question marks around him are distance and experience, but he's already demonstrated that he's a classy type and looks to be a leading contender.

A tough and likeable chaser who has put up some great efforts in long-distance handicaps in recent years since finishing third to Juveigneur in the 2005 Kim Muir. He chased home Cloudy Lane in that race in 2007 before finishing third to Hot Weld in the 2007 Scottish National, so stamina and the ability to act on a lively surface look assured. His campaign this season has been restricted to just two outings, scoring well at Cheltenham but then running poorly at that track next time. Has had a good break to freshen him up since that run but the big concern with him is his tendency to make at least one mistake in his races though he would have place chances if able to put in a clear round.

Cheltenham Festival winner who proved conclusively that he stayed long distances when chasing home Hot Weld in the 2007 Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown. Spent a year and a half on the sidelines after that run and has yet to show anything like his old form in two starts this season, including when well beaten in the William Hill Trophy Chase at Cheltenham. His supporters will take heart from the fact that the J P McManus-owned grey usually comes into his own in the spring, but somehow he looks a little bit too fragile for a test like this and his owner will surely have stronger chances of Aintree glory.

Was once the most promising chasing prospect around after beating Inglis Drever at the Cheltenham Festival on just his third start over hurdles, but has failed to live up to that potential. Did manage to win a veterans' event over the Mildmay fences at this course in October, but has since been brushed aside in more competitive events and could never get in a blow in the William Hill Trophy Chase at the Festival. Trainer has a great record in this race of course, but will need to perform his greatest miracle to get him into the frame let alone win.

A very smart chaser in France, where he won at Grade 1 level and also finished third in the Grand Steeplechase de Paris. Joined Nicky Henderson with the specific aim of being prepared for a crack at the National, so his run at the Festival - where he finished 12th on his first outing for almost two years - should not be viewed too negatively. That said, he made a couple of jumping errors which is a concern for his chances here and will need to have improved a considerable amount to give his trainer a long overdue first winner of this race.

Formerly a high-class chaser who has been rejuvenated by the switch to cross-country racing for a new stable this season; chasing home the very smart Garde Champetre in two events at Cheltenham this season as well as easily scoring over the banks at Punchestown. His latest run, when second at the Festival, was a solid effort and he will be bidding to emulate Silver Birch, who was also runner-up in that race before scoring here. The one nagging doubt, however, is whether he really has the heart for a battle such as this, as he appeared to give in a little easily last time and had a reputation for being a shade 'soft' earlier in his career.

Second-season chaser who was not far off top class as a novice, finishing third to Albertas Run in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Festival before chasing home Big Buck's in the Mildmay Chase at the National meeting. Has been unable to make an impression this season but to be fair his yard was out of form for much of it and Twiston-Davies reversal of fortunes over Cheltenham suggest that an improved effort could well be on the cards here. A prominent racer who stays well, he will need to improve on his jumping but could be the type to take to the National fences and looks to be his trainer's best hope of saddling a third winner of this race.

A guaranteed stayer who has already put up a useful performance in a National this season when finishing second to Notre Pere in the Welsh National two starts ago; somehow getting outpaced in that marathon contest before powering home over the last two fences to snatch second. He was never dangerous at Haydock next time however and his overall profile suggests he's better suited by easy conditions underfoot in the first half of the season. Could only manage 12th in this race last season and it's hard to make a case for him massively improving on that performance here.

Has relatively few miles on the clock but has turned in some very decent performances down the years, including when fourth in the Jewson at the Festival in 2008. However, he seems a difficult horse to keep right and it wasn't a great surprise when he followed his win at Kempton in December with a poor effort in the Racing Post Chase over the same course and distance on his latest start. Is probably still capable of winning a decent race but has never looked as though he'll have the stamina for 4m 4f and his fragile nature means he's probably one to avoid here.

French-trained mare with a much-respected handler who makes very few raids on the UK. Has been placed in Grade 1 races in France but it is very hard to really get a handle on her form, though Remember Rose, who has beaten Musica Bella into second twice this season is a very useful horse who can count Master Minded among her victims. However, French-breds have a terrible record in this race largely due to the fact that they are simply not bred to stay such extreme distances and the fact that she has never won beyond 2m 6f compounds the view that she's not one for the shortlist.

Has made great strides this season and progressed from being a 100 rated chaser in October to a 143 horse at present. His winning run started at Southwell but since then he has scored at Huntingdon, Ascot and Sandown, where he ran out a really impressive winner having travelled really well in rear and only had to be shaken up to score. Sent off favourite for the National Hunt Chase at the Festival, he travelled like a winner for a long way before moving into contention on the home turn but visibly ran out of petrol on the run-in and looks most unlikely to stay this trip at this stage of his career.

A very lightly-raced chaser who has won almost 50% of his starts over jumps. Third to Star De Mohaison in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham as a novice three years ago, he returned from a two and a half year break this season with a third at Haydock, a disappointing effort when pulled up at Chepstow in the Welsh National and a win in a veterans' chase at Newbury on his latest start. He beat the useful Church Island when notching that latest victory but the proximity of Puntal (without a win for 5 years) is probably a truer indication of the form and he will need to step up markedly on that here.

Has been quietly achieving this season, notching up a hat-trick of wins at Leopardstown and Thurles (twice), his last two wins without coming under maximum pressure. Those wins all came over much shorter trips than the National - the last two were over 2m 2f - so a big question mark clearly hangs over his stamina, however, he did win over three miles as a novice hurdle (beating dour stayer Bothar Na in the process) so there must be a chance he will get home and it's hard to fault the recent form of his stable, who enjoyed an excellent Cheltenham and of course sent Hedgehunter out to win this race in 2005. His trainer earmarked the National immediately after his latest win and Irish Invader must have a leading chance if staying the trip.

Aged 11 but still seems to be progressing and has been in great heart again this winter; scoring on his last two starts at Cheltenham (3m 2f, stayed on very strongly to beat Alexanderthegreat) and the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock (again held up, but staying on really well to beat Coe and Miko De Beauchene). No doubting the value of his form this season, will stay forever, is a reliable jumper and - most importantly - can act on a faster surface as he has won on ground good or faster four times in his career. Looks sure to be a major player off a real racing weight.

Another Irish challenger but this 10-year-old hasn't won for almost two and half years. He shaped with some promise on his first attempt at these fences in the Becher Chase back in November; he was just starting to come under pressure when unseating his rider at the Canal Turn. Since then, however, he has run respectably when third to Mansony in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse, fourth to Black Apalachi in the Bobbyjo Chase (made mistakes) and third to Emma Jane in the Leinster National on his latest start. Will have his supporters, but his overall profile is one of an exposed handicapper and others make more appeal.

A very tough staying chaser who stays extreme distances, notching his second consecutive win in the London National - a 3m 5f chase run at Sandown in December - when gamely rallying to beat L'Aventure three quarters of a length with Rambling Minster among those beaten behind. That run required a Tony McCoy special to get him home and since then he's beaten Mon Mome over hurdles at Towcester and didn't have the test he needs when second on his latest start over timber at Warwick. Does have his quirks, but is the sort that could be set alight by the Aintree experience and having a light weight on his back will be a welcome change given the amounts he usually has to carry. The one big concern is that most of his wins have been on ground softer than good. Potentially a major player here.

A top-of-the-ground specialist who can boast some smart form with future Grade 1 winner Snoopy Loopy from last summer; beating that rival in the Perth Gold Cup last June (received 13lb) and then chasing him home in the Listed Summer Plate at Market Rasen (received 10lb). On paper, his most promising effort in terms of his prospects for this race came over the National fences in November, where Brooklyn Brownie came from a long way back to finish second to Endless Power, who stole the race from the front. However, that run seemed to be in spite of the fences rather than because of them (he was slow on several occasions) and he'll need to jump much better in the National. The good news is that he did run out a solid winner on his first start since that run when taking a four-runner handicap chase at Wetherby on his latest run in March. Would certainly come into calculation on a fast surface, but even then he's more of a place prospect that a potential winner.

Trained by Jimmy Mangan, who sent Monty's Pass out to win the National in 2003, there are no question marks about this 10-year-old's stamina as he took the 4m 2f Midlands Grand National last season by 22 lengths from Badgerlaw when trained by Sue Smith. He hasn't managed to win since his move to Ireland, but took to the big fences here OK when fifth to Black Apalachi in the Becher Chase when potentially short of fitness and has since been kept mainly to hurdles in Ireland apart from when pulled up in the Thyestes. Interestingly, Barry Geraghty - who rode Monty's Pass - partnered this horse in the Becher Chase and the overall impression is that he has been trained very much for this race. Not without a chance though it would have been more encouraging if his recent form had been a shade better.

Has moved to David Pipe having been previously trained in Ireland, where he showed some useful form around two to two and a half miles, his best run being when second to Missed That in the Grade 1 Irish Arkle. Was having his first run for over a year when making his debut for the new yard in the Kim Muir at the Festival, but was always in rear and didn't altogether impress with his jumping. Very hard to fancy.

Once a classy chaser when trained by Paul Nicholls but has badly lost his way since and made no impression when desperately out of his depth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last time. Represents the Wilson family here and is unlikely to provide his owners with a first big-race victory.

Is gradually improving on his record over the big Aintree fences, finishing fourth in the Becher Chase in November having previously come home 14th to Comply Or Die in last year's National and unseated his rider at the 19th a year previously. Has some fair form around more conventional circuits and managed a good third at Doncaster last time, but has never won outside of novice company (and that was three years ago) and unlikely to do so here despite his yard's unmatched record in this race.

Will be making his first appearance on a racecourse for almost two years but was once quite a smart chaser, notably when second to Darkness in the Feltham Novices' Chase. Did manage to finish fifth to Hot Weld in the Betfred Gold Cup (would have been second but for a final fence blunder) proving that he can stay further than three miles, but didn't take to these fences when pulled up before half-way in his previous start in the National and it's hard to make a case for him here.