Aintree Grand National pinstickers’ guide

LORD WINDERMERE Trainer: J Culloty Odds: 33/1 Put up a lamentable effort in defence of his Gold Cup crown, never looking interested at any stage. The trainer blamed the jockey but it still takes a leap of faith to think this test will suit. Rating: 4 (out of 10).

MANY CLOUDS O Sherwood 20/1 A slightly disappointing sixth in the Gold Cup but has always looked the type to benefit from a true test of stamina. Faces a tough ask of this weight, though. 6/10

UNIONISTE P Nicholls 16/1 The stats say seven-year-olds do not win this race but he has been trained specifically with this in mind. A safe jumper with plenty of experience in the bank, but could probably do with soft ground. 7/10

ROCKY CREEK P Nicholls 15/2 Looked a well-handicapped horse when winning at Kempton in February. That came after the weights came out for this and the handicapper would now have him 9lb higher. Appeared not to see out the trip 12 months ago but his trainer has found improvement in countless horses this season. 9/10

FIRST LIEUTENANT M Morris 20/1 Appears to be a light of former years but may come back to life over these fences and he has won on the Mildmay track here. Would not be without a chance, but takes a big leap of faith to fancy him. 5/10

BALTHAZAR KING P Hobbs 8/1 Runner-up last year, his trainer decided to skip the Cheltenham Festival this year to keep him fresh. Though the stats are against him as he is just an 11-year-old, he will have plenty of followers. 8/10

SHUTHEFRONTDOOR J O'Neill11/2 Sentiment aside, his chance is there for all to see. Winner of the Irish Grand National last year, he won his only race this season at Carlisle and appears to have the class and stamina required to go very close. 8/10 PINEAU DE RE Dr R Newland 20/1 Last year's winner is bound to have supporters and there's been a little more promise in his last two runs. It boils down to whether as a 12-year-old he is up to defying an 8lb higher mark. 7/10

BALLYCASEY W Mullins 20/1 This will surely be Mullins's greatest feat if he can get a doubtful stayer over three miles to last home over nearly four and a half. Since winning in November he has lost his way badly. 3/10

SPRING HEELED J Culloty 14/1 Jim Culloty has trained this one with the National in mind since his win at the Cheltenham Festival last season. The real worry is the form of the yard. Other than that, he has a solid chance. 7/10

REBEL REBELLION P Nicholls 33/1 A revelation this season and is well treated after winning a valuable pot at Newbury. Has to be a stamina doubt, though, as his wins have come over trips around two and a half miles. 5/10

DOLATULO W Greatrex 33/1 One of the more lively outsiders after staying on strongly over the fences in the Grand Sefton in November. He then won the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby and has been over hurdles since to protect his mark. 8/10

MON PARRAIN P Nicholls 33/1 Yet another from this powerful yard not to be dismissed lightly. Proved his stamina at Cheltenham in January and could give them all a bold sight if he takes to the fences again. 7/10

NIGHT IN MILAN K Reveley 20/1 Bounces off good ground, jumps immaculately and appears to stay all day. Ticks all the boxes required for a recent National winner but connections have stated he does not like being crowded so getting some space on the first circuit will be of paramount importance. 8/10

RUBI LIGHT R Hennessy 33/1 A top-class horse in his day and nursed back to life this season. However, there has to be a major stamina doubt. 5/10

THE DRUIDS NEPHEW N Mulholland 10/1 Cleverly campaigned by his canny trainer, bolting up in what is traditionally one of the most competitive races of the week at Cheltenham. His stride certainly was not shortening that day but there has been the odd question mark over his jumping in the past. Huge chance. 10/10

CAUSE OF CAUSES G Elliott 14/1 Whether he is the ideal type to take to these fences is something of an unknow. Stamina nonetheless looks assured. 7/10

GODSMEJUDGE A King 16/1 Showed a bit of sparkle at Kempton but was lifeless over hurdles at Bangor and no explanation could be found. Has a chance, but comes with risks. 6/10

AL CO P Bowen 20/1 Recent runs over hurdles have sparked plenty of encouragement, but did not look a natural when running over these fences in the Becher, admittedly on soft ground, which he dislikes. 7/10 MONBEG DUDE M Scudamore 25/1 Running well this season after finishing seventh last year. Turned in a lacklustre effort at Cheltenham last time, though, and looks in the grip of the handicapper. 5

CORRIN WOOD D McCain 50/1 Lifeless at Haydock in January, but returned home with an injury. Possibly has to make all of the running, which will be hard to do in this, but he jumps well. 6/10

THE RAINBOWHUNTER K Bailey 33/1 Going well 12 months ago until unseating at the ninth. Only seen once since and ran no sort of race at Kempton in February. Difficult to know what to expect. 4/10 SAINT ARE T George 33/1 Stayed on powerfully in the Becher in November, when the fences proved no object, and his recent win ensured his place in the field. May outrun odds. 7/10 CROSS THE BAY D McCain 33/1 A regular over the fences, having had no shortage of bad luck. Will probably get round but appears to have lost his way. 4/10 TRANQUIL SEA W Greatrex 50/1 Enjoying life but would be a surprise winner as a teenager with stamina doubts. 3/10

OSCAR TIME R Waley-Cohen 25/1 Showed in November when winning the Becher that age is not necessarily a barrier if a horse likes it round here. Was also second in 2011 and fourth two years later. A safe bet to get round. 7/10 BOB FORD R Curtis 33/1 Won the West Wales National at Ffos Las, but the handicapper took a dim view. Failed to get competitive in the Midlands National and is probably weighted out of the equation. 3/10

SUPER DUTY I Williams 33/1 Always looked a likely type for this as a young horse but impossible to fancy given his recent outings. 5/10

WYCK HILL D Bridgwater 33/1 Missed the cut last year and his best chance may have gone. An early faller in the Eider this year so might be undercooked. 5/10 GAS LINE BOY P Hobbs 50/1 All about stamina and was in a rich vein of form earlier this season. The handicapper halted his progress but wasn't totally disgraced last time out. Kept fresh since then, and every single rain drop will help. 6/10

CHANCE DU ROY P Hobbs 25/1 Hard to find a safer conveyance over the fences than this Aintree veteran. Having finished sixth in this last year, when he appeared not to get home, a similar good run looks assured without him winning. 7/10

PORTRAIT KING M Phelan 50/1 No worries on stamina grounds, but disappointing upon his return to Newcastle earlier this season. Back on good terms with himself over hurdles in March, but probably still has it all to do. 5/10

OWEGA STAR P Fahey 50/1 Looked a viable contender for this earlier in the season when second in two valuable staying chases. Beaten a long way in his National prep race and that leaves him with plenty to find. 4/10

RIVER CHOICE R Chotard 100/1 His French form, which never usually translates well over in Britain, does not inspire confidence. 2/10

COURT BY SURPRISE E Lavelle 33/1 Saved for the National since he was awarded a valuable prize at Wincanton in the stewards' room in November, but stamina is his worry . 6/10 ALVARADO F O'Brien 16/1 His price contracted in recent weeks but lost his position at a crucial stage last season before staying on for fourth when it was too late. Hard to see why he should perform much better this time. 7/10

SOLL D Pipe 14/1 Won well since the weights were released, making him well handicapped. Seventh in the National two years ago, but may struggle to improve upon that this time. 5/10

ELY BROWN C Longsdon 66/1 Enjoyed a great time of it last season, but has only been seen once this term, when pulled up over hurdles in January. Hardly the ideal preparation for this big race. 3/10

ROYALE KNIGHT Dr R Newland 25/1 No worries on the stamina front but there is a concern he could get too far behind on the first circuit. No other horse should be finishing as strong, however, and not the worst each-way bet. 7/10


VERDICT

With sentiment forcing the odds of Tony McCoy's mount Shutthefrontdoor down, form picks Rocky Creek and The Druids Nephew are better value than they might have been. As Rocky Creek failed to see out the trip last year, preference is for THE DRUIDS NEPHEW. He looked way ahead of the handicapper and firmly on the upgrade when winning at the Cheltenham Festival. Night In Milan can give him most to do. He should take to Aintree, but may just be high enough in the weights. Of those at bigger prices, Al Co can also get involved if he jumps better than in the Becher in December.

1) The Druids Nephew

2) Night In Milan

3) Al Co

4) Rocky Creek