HEDGEHUNTER (14/1):Emphatic winner in 2005 but has faced a race against time to get fit for the contest this term, having suffered a setback that saw him miss the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
However, connections were pleased with his ninth over hurdles at Limerick earlier in the month and despite the welter burden, he cannot be ruled out at a track he evidently loves. Stays, jumps well and has never been out of contention at the last in three visits, so he must be rated a real threat. Rating: 8
EUROTREK (16/1):Lightly raced for his advancing years and goes especially well when fresh, so his lengthy absence may be a plus. Could not have been more impressive when winning the Becher Chase earlier in the year, jumping his rivals ragged before beating Bewleys Berry by eight lengths. He could go close despite shouldering a big weight. 9
L'AMI (16/1):A strike-rate of three wins from 34 starts hardly sets the pulse racing, but some of his runs in defeat - like his half-length second to Kauto Star in the Aon Chase at Newbury - show how much talent he possesses. Far from disgraced when seventh in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and another placed effort is plausible. 7
MONKERHOSTIN (25/1):Something of a forgotten horse after a light campaign this season, he served a reminder he was far from finished when fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Should the ground dry out further, he will be even more suited to conditions. Seems to prefer a gap between his races these days, however, so may find this comes too soon after Cheltenham. 7
THISTHATANDTOTHER (50/1):Admirable performer who has his fair share of decent performances at the top level to his name, but did not appear to stay three miles in the Betfair Bowl two seasons ago, so the extra mile and a half in this contest is not certain to suit. Capable on his day, but unlikely to have enough improvement left in him to take a race of this nature. 5
BILLYVODDAN (20/1):Ran an absolute blinder to take third in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham after strolling to success in his previous race at Ascot, where the application of blinkers appeared to bring about a definite improvement in his jumping. Stays at least three miles, and while the handicapper has not made life easy, he is impossible to rule out while in this mood. 8
NUMBERSIXVALVERDE (12/1):Bounded clear after the Elbow to win last year's renewal in fine style and although the handicapper has taken note, he still has a chance off his current mark. A quiet campaign this season has seen him well beaten in two outings over timber, but a staying-on fourth over three miles and one furlong when tackling fences last time should have him spot-on for another bold bid. 9
IDLE TALK (16/1):Unseated his rider on his last two starts, so there have to be questions about his ability to navigate the unique Aintree fences. But there is little doubt about his ability on his day, as shown by his fourth in the Scottish National last year. 7
ROYAL AUCLAIR (40/1):Came closest to ending Paul Nicholls's duck in the Grand National when finishing second to Hedgehunter in 2005, but finished well down the field last year and has not shown the same sparkle recently. Made mistakes on his way to finishing sixth in the cross-country chase at the Cheltenham Festival and looks a star on the wane. 5
CLOUDY BAYS (66/1):Has not looked up to scratch whenever he has been tried in top-class company and looks to have his work cut out in this. Won a Listed chase at Tramore twice in the last three years, but the Grand National is a far cry from that contest, and after he took a tumble over timber at Cheltenham last time, he looks easily opposable. 2
KNOWHERE (66/1):Has not won since justifying odds of 1-3 in a Bangor novice chase in November, but has some creditable efforts in defeat to his name, not least when second to Exotic Dancer in the boylesports.com Gold Cup. Followed that up with a solid effort in the Feltham, but tackling these fences against experienced opposition is a tall order for even the best novices. 5
KELAMI (33/1):Classy staying chaser, as exemplified by his win in the 2006 William Hill Chase at Cheltenham, but the handicapper has not relented his grip since and the suspicion remains that he needs to drop a few pounds to be competitive. Second to a decent sort in unbeaten chaser Or Noir De Somoza at Auteuil last time and in good heart, but likely to find one or two better-handicapped contenders. 6
POINT BARROW (9/1):Numbersixvalverde won the previous season's Irish Grand National before going on to Aintree glory last year and this horse will attempt to tread the same route. Finished ahead of last year's Aintree hero in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time and is impossible to leave out of calculations off what looks a fairly reasonable handicap mark. 10
CELTIC SON (80/1):Has saved his two best chase efforts for Wincanton and appears to be better going the other way round. His second to All In The Stars at Wincanton last February apart, his recent efforts have been poor, and he showed precious little when tailing off in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton before being pulled up. Impossible to fancy. 2
SIMON (16/1):Good to soft is the quickest ground this 11-year-old has won on, so connections will not want the going to be too quick. But if he gets his conditions, he has to enter the equation. A 10-length winner of the Racing Post Chase off the same mark, he looks well in for this contest and will take plenty of beating if the ground rides particularly soft. 8
BALLYCASSIDY (50/1):Came into last year's race in desperate form, but was running a cracking race and six lengths clear when coming to grief at Valentine's on the second circuit. Looks equally out of sorts this term, and age must surely be catching up with him. But if he gets similar conditions and gets into a rhythm, could be one to consider at longer odds. 6
CLAN ROYAL (25/1):Admirable veteran who has placed in this race on two occasions and was running a blinder when carried out by loose horses two years ago. Has shown signs that time has caught up with him this season, however, and after finishing sixth at Wetherby he came down at the first in the Becher. Pulled up at Ascot last time and will need these fences to get him back to form to score. 6
GALLANT APPROACH (66/1):Tends to get outpaced over three miles but gallops on well enough to suggest the step up to this trip should be ideal. Not beaten too far despite meeting terrible trouble in running in the William Hill Chase at Cheltenham and open to plenty of improvement. A potential dark horse. 7
LIVINGSTONEBRAMBLE (66/1):Has not won over any distance farther than two-and-a-half miles, so his suitability for the Grand National trip has to come into question. Beaten out of sight off this mark in the Racing Post Plate. 2
DUN DOIRE (12/1):Started last season off a 50lb lower mark than when winning the William Hill Chase, and has shown no signs of stopping his progression this term. Fell in the Becher Chase, which raises some questions over whether he will get round in the big race. But if he does, he looks likely to be playing a major part in the finish. 8
KANDJAR D'ALLIER (50/1):Capable of the odd blinding result, like when he kept his head in front on desperate ground in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock. Alan King has enjoyed a fantastic spring campaign, but with stamina doubts aplenty, he is unlikely to be winning the National with this horse. 4
SLIM PICKINGS (33/1):Does not have the greatest strike-rate, but after being pulled up with an infection in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse, he has put in three creditable efforts without winning, including a solid fifth in the Racing Post Plate last time. Likely to benefit from the step up to marathon distances and could get into the place money. 7
ZABENZ (50/1):His second to Billyvoddan was seen as a little disappointing on face value but the form looks much stronger after the winner ran so well at the Cheltenham Festival. Philip Hobbs's charge does not win very often, however, and appeared out of petrol in the Scottish National last year. Others make more appeal. 5
BEWLEYS BERRY (20/1):Jumped like a stag when second to Eurotrek in the Becher Chase and found the ground far too testing when ninth in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock last time. A relentless galloper, he should have no problem seeing out the trip, but the possibility the handicapper has his measure is a strong one. 7
LONGSHANKS (20/1):Appeared on the ante-post lists for this race for the last three seasons following his gallant second in the 2004 Topham Chase, and finally gets his chance to show his mettle in the big race. Kept off the track since beating the very smart Schuh Shine by 11 lengths at Newbury, he goes well fresh, has excellent course form and is one for the shortlist. 9
BOTHAR NA (20/1):Not seen since pulled up in the Hennessy at Newbury in November and the suspicion remains he is not quite up to this standard. A prolific hunter-chase winner last season, he took advantage of a lenient handicap mark with back-to-back successes earlier this season. 4
GRAPHIC APPROACH (50/1):Looked a fairly progressive chaser before blundering his way round the early stages of the Racing Post Plate and eventually unseating after one mistake too many. Those errors are not indicative of his usual jumping, and the application of blinkers could be the reason for his jumping errors. He cannot afford to make mistakes like that when tackling these obstacles. 5
HOMER WELLS (33/1):Had Jack High, Point Barrow and Numbersixvalverde behind him when winning the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse and has not been unduly penalised by the handicapper for that success. Slightly inexperienced, but a horse on the upgrade and definitely not one to underestimate for a trainer who won this race with Hedgehunter two years ago. 9
LIBERTHINE (25/1):Loves the Aintree fences, as shown by her victory in last year's Topham Chase, so not one to take lightly - though whether she has the engine for the National is another thing altogether. A well-beaten ninth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, she is sure to give regular partner Sam Waley-Cohen a decent run but does not quite look up to the task. 6
SILVER BIRCH (28/1):Ante-post favourite for this race in 2005 after victories in the Becher Chase and Welsh National, but suffered a setback and his career appeared to be finished a year later. Having moved over to Ireland from Paul Nicholls's yard, he has made a good recovery and run well in the cross-country chase at Cheltenham to finish second. If the ground comes up very soft, he has to be considered. 7
PHILSON RUN (66/1):Winner of the 2005 Midlands Grand National but has been a long way below that form since and is still a stone higher in the handicap than when tasting success at Uttoxeter. 4
PUNTAL (66/1):A good competitor on his day and was in the process of running a cracking race as a novice when tipping up in 2004 before winning the Betfred Gold Cup. Also put in a good effort in this race last year when sixth - despite being off the track for 16 months. Each-way claims if the ground rides quick. 6
THE OUTLIER (80/1):Shot to prominence with an impressive victory in the Peter Marsh Chase, beating Cheltenham Gold Cup third Turpin Green by 12 lengths, but has struggled off an 8lb higher mark since and has been given no respite by the handicapper for this contest. Needs bottomless ground and the race run to suit, which he probably will not get. 4
TIKRAM (66/1):Came from the clouds to record a memorable victory in the Mildmay Of Flete at Cheltenham in 2004, but has won only once from 17 starts since - and that victory came in a lesser-grade handicap. Unlikely to see out the marathon trip and not in the best form. 3
MCKELVEY (20/1):Eighteen lengths adrift of Eurotrek in the Becher Chase, and while he does enjoy a massive turnaround in the weights with that rival, he looked outclassed on that occasion and there is nothing to say that he can reverse that form. This looks too classy for him. 3
NAUNTON BROOK (50/1):Notched back-to-back chase successes over fences in November and December and defied a hike in the handicap to finish a fair third in the Classic Chase at Warwick. The assessor has had his say again since then, and recent efforts off his current mark suggest he does not have enough in him to be truly competitive. 3
JACK HIGH (33/1):A spring horse, so results during the winter months should be taken lightly. Won the Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown in April 2005 and then went almost a year without winning before beating Nil Desperandum last March. Second to Homer Wells in the Bobbyjo Chase last time and is respected - even though he may be a bit long in the tooth. 8
SONEVAFUSHI (100/1):Beaten a long way in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham and has managed only one victory in a fair hunter chase this term. Will need to find a lot more to be competitive off his current handicap mark and although his stamina and jumping ability are beyond reproach, the likelihood of him taking a hand in the finish is slim. 3
JOES EDGE (9/1):Looked hopelessly out of form before putting in what was arguably a career-best at Cheltenham to come out on top in a three-way photo in the William Hill Chase. That success and the prospect of a sound surface means he has to enter the reckoning - though whether that hard race at Cheltenham has taken too much out of him remains to be seen. 7
LE DUC (66/1):Good form over the National fences, having finished third in the 2005 Topham and second in the Becher Chase later that year, and ran well in the cross-country chase at Cheltenham last time. Does not have the best strike-rate but loves the Liverpool fences and is in decent form. 7
1. Point Barrow
2. Numbersixvalverde
3. Longshanks
4. Eurotrek
