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Many Clouds (Oliver Sherwood) Heroic effort when winning race last year (travelled smoothly, jumped well) and second to subsequent Gold Cup third Don Poli in listed race here (conc. 5 lb to winner) in December. Warmed up for this with smooth victory at Kelso last month and obvious chance of repeat win.
Silviniaco Conti (Paul Nicholls) Blotted copybook when pulled up in King George over Christmas, but ran right up to best in first time blinkers when winning seventh Grade 1 in Ascot Chase in February, beating Dynaset by 20 lengths. Prominent racer with plenty of class, so could easily run well if staying.
First Lieutenant (Mouse Morris, Ireland) Not won since landing Bowl at this meeting in 2013 but generally acquitted himself well in a variety of headgear over past three seasons. That said, pulled up for just second time in Irish Gold Cup last time and made early mistakes when sixteenth in this race last year.
Wonderful Charm (Paul Nicholls) Good third in 25f handicap chase at this meeting in 2015 and not disgraced when trying to give Aachen nearly two stone in Cheltenham Grade 3 handicap when last seen in December. Not obviously well treated, though, and stamina to prove too.
Ballynagour (David Pipe) Pulled up in King George in December and Denman Chase in February, but caught the eye in competitive 2½m Cheltenham handicap last month (getting onto heels of leaders home turn). Placed in Melling and Bowl at this meeting for last two years, but unproven beyond 25f.
O'Faolains Boy (Rebecca Curtis) Off 20 months prior to return, and built on that when winning minor chase at Newbury in December. Easily best effort since in first-time cheekpieces when seventh in the Gold Cup last month, ridden positively. Should take to these fences, but stamina could be an issue.
Gilgamboa (Enda Bolger, Ireland) Lightly-raced eight-year-old who recorded four wins last season and has acquitted himself well all four starts this term, including in three Grade 1s, career best when staying-on fifth in Ryanair on latest. Perhaps not yet seen the best of him, but yet to go beyond 3m.
On His Own (Willie Mullins, Ireland) No Grade 1 win on his CV but has gone close, including when beaten a short head in the 2014 Gold Cup (perhaps unlucky not to win). One of better efforts this season when head second in Bobbyjo Chase in February, but reverted to moody type (struggling long way out) in Gold Cup.
The Druids Nephew (Neil Mulholland) Performed well at 2013 and 2015 Cheltenham Festivals (sixth in Jewson and won 25f handicap chase) and interesting that connections swerved a trip there last month. Still tanking along when falling five out in this race 12 months ago and warmed up this time around with excellent second in Grimthorpe at Doncaster last month. One to consider.
Triolo d'Alene (Nicky Henderson) 2013 Hennessy Gold Cup winner but hit and miss since (pulled up in this race last year, never looking like adding to his 2013 Topham win). Made successful seasonal return in listed event at Kempton (left clear) in January, but well held in Ascot Chase last time. Something to prove.
Rocky Creek (Paul Nicholls) Fifth in this race in 2014 but only seventeenth 12 months ago (mistake twentieth, lost place soon after). Poor displays on all three starts since a promising reappearance second behind Don Cossack at Down Royal in October, latest in Bet Bright Chase (blinkered) he won in 2015.
Sir des Champs(Willie Mullins, Ireland) Three-time Grade 1 winner who returned from nearly two years off with minor race win at Thurles. Well held in Lexus Chase and Irish Gold Cup since. Probably worth a try at this trip.
Holywell (Jonjo O'Neill) Comes good at this time of year, winning Mildmay in 2014, in frame in both Gold Cup and Bowl in 2015 and good second to Un Temps Pour Tout in 25f handicap at Cheltenham Festival last month. Generally a good jumper and worth a try at this distance, so one to bear in mind.
Shutthefrontdoor (Jonjo O'Neill) 2014 Irish National winner who went well for most of the way when fifth in this race in 2015. Solid reappearance over hurdles here in November and reportedly suffered from abscesses when pulled up at Newbury since. One to consider from similar mark to last year.
Soll (David Pipe) Gamely wore down Aachen in veterans' race at Sandown in January but laboured last of three finishers in minor event won by Unioniste at Kelso since. Hopes pinned on fact he's completed all four times he's tried these fences, ninth in this in 2015 and fourth in Becher in December.
Buywise (Evan Williams) Decent Cheltenham Festival record but skipped the meeting this year following creditable third in Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January. That only his third attempt over 3m+ plus in 17 starts and looks a doubtful stayer, while his jumping could be an issue over these obstacles.
Boston Bob (Willie Mullins, Ireland) Bounced back to near his very smart best for first time in almost two years when narrowly winning Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February from On His Own. Won the 2014 Melling here and probably worth a try at this trip, so could outrun his odds (currently 33/1).
Aachen (Venetia Williams) Been a revelation this winter, making all in handicaps at Wincanton and Cheltenham eight days apart before close second to Soll in veterans' event at Sandown. Well beaten both starts since, however, and would need plenty of rain to make him of interest here.
Morning Assembly (Pat Fahy, Ireland) 2014 RSA third and has run creditably when in frame all three starts this season (off 21 months prior to return), not helped by late mistake when 17 lengths fourth to Un Temps Pour Tout in 25f handicap at Cheltenham Festival on latest. Good jumper otherwise and could surprise.
Double Ross (Nigel Twiston-Davies) Fifth in 2014 Topham. Promising start to season when in frame in competitive handicaps at Ascot and Cheltenham, but well below form all three starts since, including in first-time cheekpieces.
Goonyella (Jim Dreaper, Ireland) Won Midlands National last year before close second in Scottish National. Easily best effort since when second to stablemate Venetien de Mai in Leinster National at Naas last time. Unseated and finished ninth in last two Becher Chases on previous goes over these fences.
Ucello Conti (Gordon Elliott, Ireland) French recruit who has caught the eye when placed in valuable handicaps at Leopardstown and Gowran on the last two of his three starts for new yard, racing very wide throughout when third in latter. Looks fairly handicapped, handled quicker ground in France and could run well.
Unioniste (Paul Nicholls) Won at Kelso in February and creditable second behind Many Clouds at the same course four weeks later. Could yet win a valuable long-distance prize but this race unlikely to be it based on his heavy fall at fifth last year and eighth in Becher on return (blundered eleventh).
Le Reve (Lucy Wadham) Kept busy this winter but given a break since solid fifth in BetBright Chase at Kempton in February. Has plenty of key attributes for this race bar all wins have come going right-handed.
Gallant Oscar (Tony Martin, Ireland) Strong traveller who bounced back to form when fifth in Leinster National last month, a race he won in 2013. Wasn't given a hard time once beaten there and looks just the type to go closer here if taking to the fences (should stay long distances).
Onenightinvienna (Philip Hobbs) Has always looked a strong stayer and form of December defeat of RSA Chase winner Blaklion makes him look fairly handicapped. Should bounce back from below-par run in Ascot Grade 2 (first-time cheekpieces), but last novice to win this was Mr What in 1958.
The Last Samuri (Kim Bailey) Much improved for new yard (left Donald McCain) this term, winning two handicaps, including 3¼m Grimthorpe at Doncaster last month by 10 lengths. Jumped well last time, stamina his forte and still lightly raced enough to have more to offer, so certainly one for the shortlist.
Kruzhlinin (Philip Hobbs) Tenth in this race in 2014 and seventh in the Becher eight months later. Made winning return for new stable (let Donald McCain) in handicap at Kempton from Le Reve, and better than bare result when fifth in 25f handicap at Festival since, bad mistake four out. Not ruled out.
Rule the World (Mouse Morris, Ireland) No win since January 2014 but series of good effort in small fields this season. Not so good at Naas last time and hopes pinned on return to marathon trip (second in 2014 Irish National).
Just A Par (Paul Nicholls) Won bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown (good ground) last April. Best effort this term when second to Three Faces West at Exeter last month, but typically raced lazily and previous Aintree record (last of sixth in Mildmay and pulled up in Becher, both in 2014) doesn’t bode well.
Katenko (Venetia Williams) Not produced his form in five starts (two this term) since finishing fourth in Peter Marsh at Doncaster in early-2014 and very difficult to fancy, despite now being 7 lb lower.
Vics Canvas (Dermot McLoughlin, Ireland) Irish-trained veteran who has run well on his two most recent starts in England (second to Just A Par in bet365 last April and fifth in Becher in December). Below par back in Ireland on last two outings, however, and looks handicapped up to his best.
Black Thunder (Paul Nicholls) Won minor event at Sandown in December 2014 but let down by jumping all three starts this season. Fairly handicapped as a result of his poor form but jumping clearly a concern here.
Ballycasey (Willie Mullins, Ireland) Hasn't added to tally since Gowran win in November 2014, but more promise in fifth at Cheltenham (travelled well In first-time cheekpieces) last month. Looked a very doubtful stayer last year prior to being brought down at the eighth.
Hadrian's Approach (Nicky Henderson) Lightly-raced in recent times, but shaped encouragingly when midfield in BetBright Chase at Kempton last time (cheekpieces left off). Stays well (won 29f bet 365 Gold Cup in 2014) and not discounted, though jumping has long been his Achilles heel.
Vieux Lion Rouge (David Pipe) Won at Haydock in November and ran well when sixth in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last month. Caught the eye with way he travelled there, possibly paying the price late on for making a very promising forward move down the hill.
Pendra (Charlie Longsdon) Won Grade 3 handicap at Ascot (by 3¼ lengths from Double Ross) in October and respectable 10¼ lengths fifth of 13 to Wakanda in Silver Cup at same course last time. Stamina to prove.
Saint Are (Tom George) Ninth in 2014 renewal when trained by Tim Vaughan but found only Many Clouds too good in in 2015 (first season with this yard). Only 4 lb higher this time around and proved at least as good as ever when winning veterans' race at Doncaster in February. Clearly one to consider.
Home Farm (Henry de Bromhead, Ireland) Third in Irish Grand National in 2013 but patchy record since, adding just one win to his tally. Warmed up for this race with two hurdles runs over inadequate trips but needs to bounce back to form in a major way to feature prominently here.
The Romford Pele (Rebecca Curtis) Completed hat-trick as a second-season novice chaser in 2014 but not won since, falling in December and back over hurdles on last two starts. Needs to spring back returned to chasing.
First reserve - Bishops Road (Kerry Lee) Taken big steps forward on last two starts by winning heavy-ground handicaps at Sandown and Haydock, proving stamina in 3½m Grand National Trial on latest. Well-in here (would be 10 lb higher in another race) and good claims if proving as effective on quicker going.
Second reserve - Knock House (Mick Channon) Did well to finish fourth in Kim Muir (first-time cheekpieces) last month considering he was hampered. Still lightly raced enough to improve again, but stamina could be an issue here.
Third reserve – Perfect Candidate (Fergal O’Brien) Strong stayer whose best form came when winning in testing ground at Cheltenham in January. No-show in Kim Muir latest.
Fourth reserve - Maggio (Patrick Griffin) Tenth in Topham last season on sole try over these fences but well-beaten sixth behind Many Clouds at Kelso last month.
Timeform's Grand National 1-2-3
As competitive as ever, but THE LAST SAMURI ticks plenty of boxes and is worth siding with to provide Kim Bailey with a second Grand National winner 26 years after his first. Last year's hero Many Clouds, Holywell and The Druids Nephew are others with plenty to recommend them, while the Rebecca Curtis pair The Romford Pele and O'Faolains Boy could go well at bigger odds.
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