Any Second Now

Twice placed in previous runnings but handicapper has overreacted to spurious “Aintree factor”. Others have his measure at the weights.

Noble Yeats

Last year’s winner and fourth in the Gold Cup. Has a lot more weight this time than 12 months ago, but has clearly improved since, so can’t be ignored.

Galvin

Second to Delta Work in the Cross-Country at Cheltenham, and has the back-class to justify his big weight, for all he’s worse off with his Cheltenham conqueror.

Fury Road

Good third in Irish Gold Cup in February and drop in trip didn’t suit in the Ryanair at Cheltenham. Stamina for marathon trips taken on trust, but has claims if he does stay.

The Big Dog

Troytown winner and Welsh National third has the stamina needed, but an honest campaign has seen him climb the weights and others better treated now.

Capodanno

Grade 1 winner at Punchestown, and made pleasing return in Red Mills Chase at Gowran in February. Lacks experience, but has untapped potential for top connections, and shortlisted.

Delta Work

Third last year after winning Cheltenham Cross-Country. Won that race again this year and meets the runner-up on better terms, but those having a second crack at Aintree don’t have an auspicious record.

Sam Brown

Won the 3m1f handicap on this card 12 months ago, and Don’t Push It completed the double back in the day. Ran well on return at Wetherby, but below form since, and something to prove.

Lifetime Ambition

Showed aptitude for fences in Grand Sefton in the autumn and one of the more polished jumpers in the field, so while his stamina is not assured, he could go well for a long way.

Carefully Selected

Winner of the Thyestes Chase at Gowran, and likely to gallop all day, but needs the ground soft, so rain looks essential to his chance.

Coko Beach

Gained first win for two years in Punchestown National Trial, but all out to score there, and he’s been harshly deal with by the handicapper.

Longhouse Poet

Sixth in the race last year when racing with the choke out and a winner of his prep at Down Royal; horses with previous experience in the race have a surprisingly poor record in the modern era, however.

Gaillard Du Mesnil

Third in last year’s Irish National and won the 3m6f National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month. Stays well and is a Grade 1 winner at shorter, so plenty to like, and last year’s winner was also a seven-year-old.

Darasso

Has proven his stamina for three miles, but effective at much shorter and not an obvious type to relish a thorough test over fences.

Le Milos

Coral Gold Cup winner, and not at his peak when second at Kelso last month. Well weighted on balance, and should have a positive role to play for the Skelton family.

Escaria Ten

Travels well, but tends to finish weakly; well beaten ninth in this last year, so hard to fancy.

The Big Breakaway

Runner-up in the Welsh National and interesting on that, but he didn’t travel at all when sent to Cheltenham last time. Perhaps blinkers will help him focus, but comes with risks.

Cape Gentleman

Carries the same colours as 1923 winner Sergeant Murphy, but this gelding is better going right-handed and at shorter trips, so hard to envisage a fairytale for his American owner.

Roi Mage

Has plenty of experience, and represents owners who won this with Auroras Encore. One of a quartet of 11-year-olds in the race and may be vulnerable to younger rivals.

Diol Ker

Ran well at Leopardstown at Christmas, but finished last in the National Trial at Punchestown last time, and his efforts beyond three miles are uninspiring.

A Wave Of The Sea

Better known for his exploits over much shorter trips, and ran badly in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month. You wouldn’t want him in the sweepstake.

Minella Trump

Has a tremendous win record, landing eight of his last nine starts over fences, but high in the weights, and majority of his form has come in small fields.

Vanillier

Classy stayer over hurdles who has shown glimpses of that over fences, including when an excellent second in the Bobbyjo Chase last time. Jumping can be careful and his chance hinges on realising he needn’t be scared of the plastic fences.

Velvet Elvis

Ran well when sixth in Irish National last year, and back to form recently after stuttering start to season. Second to Any Second Now last time, but meets that rival on much better terms.

Ain’t That A Shame

Has a profile not dissimilar to yard’s 2021 winner Minella Times, and progressive at around three miles this season. Brought along steadily and needs taking seriously after a ready win at Gowran last time.

Corach Rambler

Represents team responsible for 2017 winner One For Arthur and gained a second successive win in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month. Well ahead of the handicapper on that showing, and while he has his quirks, he keeps winning.

Enjoy D’Allen

A first-fence faller when fancied for this last year, he doesn’t seem in anything like the same form this season, and isn’t much better treated by the handicapper. Given short shrift.

Mr Incredible

Tricky customer who has refused to race. Back to form with placed efforts in Classic Chase at Warwick and Kim Muir at Cheltenham, and if he hasn’t started sulking by the Canal Turn, he could be a major contender.

Mister Coffey

Flopped when favourite for last year’s Topham Trophy over the fences, but stays all day as he showed when third in the National Hunt Chase. Bit too much of a plodder for a modern Grand National.

Cloudy Glen

Won Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last year, and ran well in National Trial at Haydock. Has saved his best form for his seasonal debut in recent times, though, and ran poorly at Cheltenham last month.

Hill Sixteen

Has run well twice in Becher Chase, and an honest stayer, but needed a breathing operation before his latest run, and failed to show much, so unlikely to figure here.

Gabbys Cross

Yet to win beyond two and three quarter miles, but trainer knows what it takes to win this race. Looked worth a try over further when third over three miles at Naas last time, and not a forlorn hope if he can avoid mistakes.

Recite A Prayer

Looks the least interesting of a host of runners from his powerful yard, and although placed in Cork and Kerry Nationals, looks to be biting off more than he can chew.

Eva’s Oskar

Honest campaigner who stays well as he showed when fourth in the Eider at Newcastle last time, but at his best in calmer waters and looks outclassed at this level.

Our Power

Galloped relentlessly when winning at Kempton in February and is ahead of the handicapper on that performance. A sound jumper who needs rousting, but genuine, and likely to relish a thorough test.

Dunboyne

Has refused to start and can race lazily, but did stay on well when fourth in Kim Muir last time, and has the ability to get involved if he can be motivated.

Francky Du Berlais

Tired when refusing at the last in Cheltenham Cross-Country last time, and has uninspiring form figures, so easy to pass over from out of handicap.

Fortescue

Tends to come off the bridle early, and although he won a decent handicap at Ascot last season, he is beginning to look one to avoid. Blinkers overdue.

Back On The Lash

Likeable sort in the cross-country discipline, but comes here after a poor run at Cheltenham, and lacks the gears to trouble the best of these.

Born By The Sea

Best over shorter and is 6lb out of the handicap, so would make little appeal even if in form, which he isn’t.