Won 2023 Irish Grand National and improved again to win this last year. Caught the eye in the Irish Gold Cup last time and should make a fair fist of defending his crown despite top weight.

Mudlark landed his second Betfair Chase at Haydock in November but form has tailed off since and he’s unlikely to figure.

Placed behind Minella Cocooner in Bet365 Gold Cup last spring and has improved this term, winning Thyestes Chase in fine style. Beat Intense Raffles in Bobbyjo Chase last time and, while runner-up weighted to reverse form, this progressive sort is shortlisted.

Grade 1 novice chase winner who was second to Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup in February. Couldn’t confirm that improvement back in trip last time but longer trip may help.

Has won Bet365 Gold Cup, Galway Plate, American Grand National, and King George VI Chase. Fairly treated on best form and back to winning ways over hurdles at Thurles in March. Good ground vital to him.

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner 2021 and revived by change of routine when third to I Am Maximus in this race last year. Older than ideal at the age of 12, but has been geared to this race and is another who will relish good ground.

Went two years without a win before taking Grade 2 Kinloch Brae at Thurles in January. Has the class to bowl along for a long way, but stamina beyond three miles is taken on trust.

Third in the Irish Grand National before winning Bet365 Gold Cup on good ground last April. Fourth to Nick Rockett and Intense Raffles in the Bobbyjo Chase last time and tends to save his best form for the spring, so improvement expected over a trip he should relish.

Top class at up to 3m on his day but not the force of old this season at the age of 11. Better than result in the Plate at Cheltenham last month, but typically let down by jumping late in the day.

Smart handicapper has taken the well-trusted path of Cross-Country competition in recent starts, winning all three races this season over banks. Showed abundant stamina to win at Cheltenham last month and has obvious claims off same mark.

Tends to finish second in good company at up to 3m, but almost all his form is in small fields and he’s run badly on all three occasions he’s faced 10 or more rivals over fences.

Represents same owner as 1983 hero Corbiere. Improved to win Midlands National last year and wide margin at Ascot in the Autumn. Has acquitted himself well in graded hurdles since and best when allowed to bowl along, so should stay out of trouble.

Second in the 2023 Gold Cup, but has been gradually regressive since. Handicapper has given him a big chance if this test revives him, but doesn’t appeal as a stayer.

Back from the wilderness to win a handicap at Cheltenham in January, but that revival proved fleeting. Likely to turn his nose up at this test.

Fourth in a Scottish National and was game when just losing out at Ascot in February. Well held in last season’s Bet365 Gold Cup, however, and has no secrets from the handicapper.

Belatedly landed big pot he’d promised with stylish win in Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas fixture and won again over hurdles there at DRF. Has stamina to prove beyond a bare three miles but promises to improve again over fences, so hard to leave out of calculations.

Running-on third in the Topham a year ago and has been campaigned for this since taking Coral Gold Cup over three and a quarter mile at Newbury. Remains unexposed over fences, looking one of the best of the home contingent.

Runner-up to Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin in Grade 1 here last spring and only one race connections have been eyeing since. Has caught the eye in defeat this season and, while stamina is untested, he looks a live contender from a lenient mark.

Took the Irish Grand National last year in impressive fashion for a novice and ran well back over fences when second to Nick Rockett in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time. Has a swing at the weights now, and this sound jumper should be a big player.

Won at Cheltenham in the autumn, but just a fair sixth to Kandoo Kid in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, and others look much better handicapped.

Won Midlands National at Kilbeggan last summer for Noel Meade, but was soundly beaten over hurdles for new connections at Doncaster and has little chance.

Qualified for this by finishing third of five on his only start at three miles. Doesn’t lack class, but there has to be a huge doubt about the suitability of this trip.

Best effort this term when second in Coral Gold Cup, but flopped at Cheltenham last time, and arguably best when able to dominate, which won’t be easy here.

Second in the Becher Chase last season, but has been well-beaten in three previous runnings and form has dipped this term.

Third as a novice in Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham last January, but he has quickly gone the wrong way since, with subsequent form figures of PPP0. Very hard to fancy on recent evidence.

Won the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting in 2023, and finished a non-staying seventh after holding every chance last year. Not really fired this season, and still high enough in the weights, so others preferred.

Has long looked a thorough stayer and was a good fourth in the Welsh National in December. Back to winning ways at Uttoxeter on latest start, but may lack the tactical speed for a modern National.

Runner-up in this race two years ago when finishing best of all. Didn’t fire last year, but caught the eye when third in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival having almost taken the wrong route early on, and seems to be coming back to his best.

Second in a Kerry National for Willie Mullins, but his form lately has been disappointing. Has joined Flat-focused stable for this race and makes no appeal.

30. Hyland 18/1

Has won three times from six starts over fences as well as finishing second in the Grade 1 Kauto Star. Stayed on well when second in a good three-mile handicap at Kempton last time, but this isn’t a great race for novices.

Veteran was fourth in the Topham last year and scored on return at Bangor in November. Handicapped to the hilt, however, and 13-year-olds don’t win this race.

Front-running chaser was belatedly off the mark at Navan in January, but that was just a Beginners’ Chase, and he was let down by his jumping last time out in better company.

Second in the Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham last March, but recent efforts less inspiring and up against it here.

Mayo National his only win over fences, but in process of running well when brought down in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time. This is an altogether tougher task.

SELECTIONS

1 Minella Cocooner

2. Intense Raffles

3. Iroko

4. Nick Rockett