LE COUDRAY: Not certain to stay the four and a half miles but if he gets the trip could run a big race judged on his three-length third to Florida Pearl at Leopardstown last time. Rating (out of 10): 6.

MONTY'S PASS: Landed the biggest gamble in the history of the race when romping home last year. Has risen sharply in the weights but with the ground drying out he should not be left out of calculations. 7.

WHAT'S UP BOYS: Second to Bindaree two years ago but has raced only twice since, having been on the injury list. Returned after a 476-day absence at Wincanton in February and finished an encouraging fourth behind Exit Swinger. Sure to run well if back to his best. 7.

ALEXANDER BANQUET: Showed signs of a return to his best on his penultimate start, when beaten two and a half lengths by National rival Takagi at Fairyhouse in February. Outclassed behind Best Mate last time and still high enough in the handicap. 4.

KINGSMARK: Fourth behind Bindaree two years ago but hard to fancy on his form this season. Goes well on soft ground. 3.

ARTIC JACK: Jumped well to win at Haydock in January but well beaten back there the following month. Bypassed Cheltenham to run here but high enough in the weights for what he has achieved. 4.

RISK ACCESSOR: A consistent performer who has crept up the handicap without winning. Prone to the odd jumping error and has stamina doubts. 4.

DAVIDS LAD: Winner of the Irish equivalent in 2001 and was going well in Bindaree's National when coming to grief four out. Has sound claims if he gets his favoured good ground and is one for the short list. 7.

BINDAREE: Won the 2002 Grand National and sixth last year. Has won the Welsh version this season, beating subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup second Sir Rembrandt, so the form looks pretty solid. Unsuited by the track at Warwick last time and could go well back at Aintree. 6.

ALCAPONE: Prolific winner over two miles, he is bred to stay longer distances and trainer Mouse Morris is sweet on his chances and confident he will love Aintree. 5.

PUNTAL: Useful novice, but he may not be ready for this massive test. His trainer, Martin Pipe, will have runners with much better credentials. 2.

SOUTHERN STAR: Jumps and stays well and from the stable that sent out Best Mate to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Has been lightly raced this term and could run a decent race if he takes to the course. 6.

HEDGEHUNTER: Ante-post favourite and has been a leading fancy for several months. Staked an early claim with a promising run in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury and put in an exhibition round of jumping when scoring at Gowran Park in January. 9.

SHARDAM: Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has already saddled two winners of this race and Shardam has sound claims. Looked as though he was hitting form when second to Fork Lightning at Cheltenham. 7.

TAKAGI: Well-beaten by Hedgehunter in January but has shown improved form since, when tried in first-time blinkers. Trainer Edward O'Grady has been very bullish about his chances and this sound jumper could easily go well. 7.

JOSS NAYLOR: One run this season, when finishing second in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. While he is not without ability, he will need soft ground to be seen at his best. 6.

AMBERLEIGH HOUSE: Has developed into an Aintree specialist, having finished third in the National 12 months ago. Successful over these fences in the Tote Becher Chase in 2001 and just failed to get the better of Clan Royal in the same race this season. Should get round, but may find one too good. 6.

THE BUNNY BOILER: Winner of the Midlands Grand National in 2002 but does not look the force of old. Unseated rider in this race 12 months ago and, given his efforts this term, it is not hard to look elsewhere. 3.

TYNEANDTHYNEAGAIN: Suited by a test of stamina and followed up an impressive Doncaster victory by landing the Eider Chase under top weight. However, these stiff fences may not suit and might not be quite good enough. Will need soft ground to be seen at his best. 6.

GUNNER WELBURN: Excellent fourth a year ago and primed for another major effort. Top Aintree rider on board - should go well again despite advancing years. 7.

KELAMI: Very useful in France and jumps superbly. Appeared to run out of steam at Cheltenham and is very young to be tackling this. 6.

JURANCON II: Progressive youngster who jumps well and stays marathon trips. Has the right connections and should be in the shake-up. 8.

ROYAL ATALZA: Bought with this race in mind though often inconsistent when trained in France. Had an unusual preparation on the Flat. 5.

JUST IN DEBT: Bounced back to form in a moderate contest at Ayr but this is a very different contest. No suggestion he has the ability for this. 2.

EXIT TO WAVE: Once useful though never won beyond two miles and two furlongs and his form has slipped. Probably still capable of winning a nice race but this is something else. 5.

CLAN ROYAL: His last two victories have been over these fences and he has never failed to complete in 19 starts. Has all the attributes for a major effort. 10.

AKARUS: Ex-French winner who was in the process of running well in Welsh National before falling. Must be forgiven a poor latest effort. 6.

SPOT THEDIFFERENCE: Irish hunter who usually plods around in his own time when contesting better races and they don't come much better than this. 5.

BOUNCE BACK: Hasn't had the success he should have due to a high handicap mark following Sandown victory in 2002. Not one to entirely rule out. 5.

ARDENT SCOUT: Has a real love affair with Aintree, having jumped around here four times, but isn't getting any younger and recent form not encouraging. 5.

BEAR ON BOARD: Stays really well and has been in cracking form this season. Climbing the weights but genuine each-way claims. 8.

LORD ATTERBURY: Top point-to-pointer. Found wanting at Cheltenham when below par and overall form leaves him plenty to find. 3.

MANTLES PRINCE: Behind when departing in this last year and appears to have deteriorated since. 1.

BLOWING WIND: Placed twice in this in the past but tailed off last year and looks on the downgrade nowadays. 3.

SKYCAB: Below par so far this term and age may have caught up with him. Little chance here. 1.

WONDER WEASEL: Looked promising three years ago but has been largely disappointing since. Will stay the trip but it is hard to see him figuring. 2.

SMARTY: Runner-up to Red Marauder in 2001 when they were the only two to put in a clear round in a race run in appalling conditions. Has not run up to that form since and looks a shadow of his former self. 3.

MONTREAL: Little to recommend this seven-year-old who was pulled up last time out and only scraped into this as a last-minute reserve. 1.

LUZCADOU: An enigmatic character but has got round safely in two previous attempts over the Grand National fences. 2.

BRAMBLEHILL DUKE: All of his last four wins have come on bottomless ground and he may not be the force of old with his last win coming in November 2002. Made mistakes and finished last of seven at Carlisle on his most recent start, and fell in this race last year. 1.