Aintree 16:05 Odds Comparison

Bold-jumping front runner who landed the Kauto Star at Kempton in 2023. Looked the likely winner for most of the following year's King George only to be worn down late on, but pulled up the last twice since joining Tom George. Needs breathing operation to help spark a revival.

Bounced back to best under a more patient ride when winning a premier handicap at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Has failed by a long way to back that up in 2 subsequent outings, though, well beaten in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last time.

Dual Grade 1 winner who made a successful handicap chase debut in this contest last year. Looks to have been brought along with Aintree in mind again during the current campaign, not given a hard time when third of 5 in the Kinloch Brae at Thurles last time. Respected.

Successful on first 2 chase starts last season, including a Grade 2 novice at Naas, and returned to that level when runner-up to Heart Wood in New Year's Day Chase at Tramore. Lesser effort at Leopardstown in February, but he could yet do better in only his second handicap.

Ended a long losing run when landing the Old Roan here on reappearance. However, has gone backwards from that effort in 2 starts since, finding a thorough test too demanding when pulled up in an Ascot handicap in January.

Dual Grade 1 winner as a novice but hasn't kicked on this season, finding the test inadequate when well held over 21.5f at Leopardstown on handicap debut in February. A likely strong pace in this contest should at least help.

Making only fifth start for his leading yard, proved better than ever in reapplied cheekpieces when justifying favouritism in the Plate at Cheltenham a month ago, jumping superbly/travelling powerfully. Up 10 lb in the weights but looks tailor made for this race.

Grade 2 novice winner during a busy 2024/25 and best effort of current campaign when third in Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton in January. Hasn't made much impact in a trio of handicaps since, ninth to Madara in the Plate at Cheltenham, but his mark has eased as a result. One to note.

Enhanced his excellent first-time-out record when making all in veterans handicap at Cheltenham in November. Not discredited when fourth of 9 in similar event at Newbury 6 weeks ago, but this is a difficult ask against his younger rivals.

Useful hurdler who has developed into a better chaser this season, winning a Galway novice before making the frame in the Troytown at Navan. Fitted with a tongue tie, produced his best effort when second to Madara in the Plate at Cheltenham and he can make his presence felt.

Back in a tongue strap, much improved when making a winning handicap chase debut over 17f at Leopardstown in December. Has shaped as if still in good form both starts since, ninth of 20 in Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month, though unproven beyond 19f.

Winner of the Desert Orchid Handicap at Kempton last season and has returned to form in 3m handicaps at the same course the last twice, fifth of 13 in premier event in February. However, seemed to find the test too much when ninth in this race last year.

Has proved a different proposition ridden more positively back down in trip over fences, bringing up the hat-trick in listed handicap at Killarney in August. Winning run came to a halt, though, when pulled up in Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham when last seen, let down by his jumping.

Useful hunter chaser for Olive Nicholls and has made a sound start re-united with this yard, off the mark in handicaps at the third attempt over 3m at Kempton in December. Typically jumped well when second at the same course (20.5f) last time, but this is tougher.

Returned to winning ways at this venue on Boxing Day. Well held at Cheltenham next time, but back in calmer waters he's proved at least as good as ever with back-to-back wins at Newcastle in February and at Newbury 20 days ago.

Top-class chaser in his prime who took a step back in the right direction when third in a cross-country event at Punchestown in February. Failed to repeat that effort, though, when well beaten at Cheltenham last month.

Yet to taste success over fences but plenty of creditable handicap efforts to his name, including when fifth of 28 in Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December. Quickly bounced back from a below-par effort when sixth in the Plate at Cheltenham last time.

Signed off last season with success in Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury and reappeared with a career-best victory in another valuable handicap there in November. Progressed has stalled in 2 runs at Cheltenham since, but the return to a flatter track could help.

Has looked a reformed character for current yard, taking well to this course with bold bids in both the Grand Sefton and Becher Chases. Capitalised on drop in grade when making all at Huntingdon in March, but he now has a career-high mark to overcome.

Winner of a novice handicap at Cheltenham last season and back to form when denied late on in this contest. Has failed to complete in only 2 starts during the current campaign, but he's likely to have had this race as the target with usual cheekpieces reapplied.

Won 3 of 4 starts over hurdles/fences (all at Cheltenham) for Nicky Henderson in 2024. However, well below that level in 3 runs for current yard (absent 12 months prior to this season), his jumping no better fitted with cheekpieces in the Plate at Cheltenham. Tongue strap added.

Winner of this race in 2023 and bounced back to form when landing listed handicap at Punchestown last spring. Has run well in 3 of his 4 subsequent outings, sixth of 13 in the Becher here in December, but looks vulnerable to younger rivals. Cheekpieces reapplied.

Still not totally straightforward but gained a third success for current yard at Ascot on return and better than ever when also winning 7-runner handicap at Kempton last month, responding well to pressure having looked held 4 out.

Maiden hurdle winner for Gordon Elliott on reappearance before disappointing next 2 starts. Fortunate to make a successful chase debut for this yard at Ffos Las in January, the favourite falling when going best, and has run poorly in 2 outings since.

Opened chase account when making all at Leicester in January and acquitted himself well when fourth in the Swinley at Ascot the following month, jumping notably fluently. Possibly found the race coming too soon in the Plate at Cheltenham, so he remains capable of better.

Winner of a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse last season. Yet to match that level since, including when eighth in this race last year, though better signs when fourth in latest renewal of the Fairyhouse contest in January. However, he's yet to prove his stamina for this far.

Not the easiest to catch right but bounced back to winning ways with a comfortable success in 6-runner handicap at Ayr last month. However, back up in the weights (2 lb of the handicap) he faces much tougher opposition in this contest.

It's now been over 3 years since his last victory and has struggled for form over both hurdles and fences this season, well beaten on return from 3 months off in listed handicap chase at Leopardstown in March.

Went well for a long way in this race last year (chance-ending mistake 2 out) and promising third in the Grand Sefton here on return. Ran poorly in the Becher next time, but after a fall he got back on track when ninth of 23 in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month.