The Grand National is nearly upon us with a maximum field of 34 horses confirmed for the most famous race in the British calendar.
Defending champion Nick Rockett, due to wear No 2, has been withdrawn having been coughing, but the 2024 winner I Am Maximus is back and seeking more success around Aintree.
Competition could come from stablemate Grangeclare West or the rapidly-improving Oscars Brother, ridden by Daniel King for trainer (and elder brother) Connor King.
Here is our pinstickers guide with every horse in the field rated and ranked:
1. I AM MAXIMUS (Willie Mullins) Rating (out of 10) 8
Won two years ago and second last year. He would be emulating none other than Red Rum, though, if he were to win a second National having lost in the interim.
3. BANBRIDGE (Joseph O'Brien) 5
Winner of the 2024 King George so there is no denying his class. Three miles is the upper end of his stamina limit, however, so a leap of faith needed over this far.
4. GRANGECLARE WEST (Willie Mullins) 8
Third 12 months ago and would have gone close to winning without a bad mistake at the last. His campaign has been built around a return bid and impressed in the Bobbyjo on his last outing.
5. GERRI COLOMBE (Gordon Elliott) 7
A one-time top-class performer, he returned from a couple of years in the wilderness to win last time out. Logic suggests his best days may be behind him.
6. HAITI COULEURS (Rebecca Curtis) 9
Had he not run in the Gold Cup he would have a massive chance. Aiming for history having already won the Irish and Welsh Nationals so clearly loves a marathon test. Still a big player.
8. FIREFOX (Gordon Elliott) 6
All his best performances had been between two and two and a half miles until he was a fair fourth in the Irish Gold Cup. Beaten a relatively long way at Cheltenham and this trip surely beyond him.
9. MONTY'S STAR (Henry de Bromhead) 6
Has perhaps not quite lived up to early expectations but has still been running to a good level. This looks to have been his target this year and could not rule out a big run.
10. SPANISH HARLEM (Willie Mullins) 7
May have been overlooked given strength of stable. Should have won Thyestes Chase on penultimate run before unseating at the last but does need to put poor last run behind him.
11. LECKY WATSON (Willie Mullins) 5
Won at the Cheltenham Festival last year when he looked just the type for this race but he has struggled this season. Back in handicap company might spark a revival but it needs to.
12. CHAMP KIELY (Willie Mullins) 4
Beat Ballyburn at the Punchestown Festival but after a good first run this season it has been downhill ever since. With stamina to prove also there are plenty of negatives.
13. IROKO (Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero) 8
Went off favourite 12 months ago when he ran a stormer for a seven-year-old to finish fourth. He looked even better this season before scoping dirty at Cheltenham and another worry is if he will take to it again.
14. FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU (Gordon Elliott) 6
Has found a new lease of life over cross country fences this year and that worked for Tiger Roll. This lad is 11, though, and looks handicapped to the hilt.
15. THREE CARD BRAG (Gordon Elliott) 5
In great form in the first half of the season, winning at Cheltenham and finishing second in Coral Gold Cup. Beaten a long way in the Bobbyjo after a mid-season break and hard to fancy after that.
16. OSCARS BROTHER (Connor King) 10
Had looked a bit of a mudlark as he rattled up a hat-trick in novice chases this winter but proved at Cheltenham he can handle quicker ground. Still at the right end of the handicap and stays all day.
17. MR VANGO (Sara Bradstock) 4
This time last year he would have been a major player but he failed to make the cut and unfortunately his last two runs have seen the wheels come off. Would need a bog to get competitive.
18. HIGH CLASS HERO (Willie Mullins) 4
Getting this one to win might even be beyond Willie Mullins. A beaten favourite when third in the bet365 Gold Cup at the end of last season, his form has fallen off a cliff of late.
19. STELLAR STORY (Gordon Elliott) 8
Has been mixing it with the best around for a few years now and while he has come up short, he now looks well handicapped. Much better off with Grangeclare West and Gerri Colombe from their last meeting.
20. BEAUPORT (Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies) 6
Looked to be thoroughly enjoying himself for the first half of the race last year but he did too much too soon and faded into 12th. Due to be ridden more conservatively this year.
21. CAPTAIN CODY (Willie Mullins) 7
Won last year's Scottish National and has been trained since then with this day in mind. Drying ground would be in his favour and no forlorn hope if he takes to the fences.
22. JAGWAR (Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero) 7
Seen by some as the perfect type for the race but the big problem he has got is he keeps finding ways to get beaten. Arguably should have won at Cheltenham and if he gets behind early here he could struggle.
23. PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS (Gavin Cromwell) 6
Won two big handicaps in Ireland last season and was well fancied for this but fell too early in the race to say how he would have gone. Little to recommend on what he has done this season.
24. GORGEOUS TOM (Henry de Bromhead) 6
Looked a promising novice chaser last season without being out of the top drawer. A good run over a trip too short first time out was followed by fourth in the Coral Gold Cup and this looks to have been the plan since.
25. THE REAL WHACKER (Paddy Neville) 5
Was a Grade One winner at Cheltenham as a novice but has generally struggled since bar winning last season's Charlie Hill. Front-running type who could outrun his odds.
26. QUAI DE BOURBON (Willie Mullins) 8
Might not quite have the reputation of some of his stablemates but could be coming in under the radar. Third in the Irish National last year and he came back to something like his best last time out.
27. ANSWER TO KAYF (Terence O'Brien) 5
Has been a great horse for connections and won the Troytown in November. That saw him shoot up the weights and likely faces a stiff task as a result.
28. JORDANS (Joseph O'Brien) 4
Looked a nice prospect last season and put up a career-best when second in Grade One company at this meeting last year. Struggled this season and big stamina doubts.
29. FINAL ORDERS (Gavin Cromwell) 7
Completed his transformation from two-miler to dour stayer when winning the Cross Country at Cheltenham. Has a touch of class and Tiger Roll proved the double can be done.
30. MARBLE SANDS (David Killahena and Graeme McPherson) 4
Got round over the Topham fences last year albeit well beaten but has been in good heart this year, winning at Cheltenham and second in the Rowland Meyrick. Looks up against it here.
31. PANIC ATTACK (Dan Skelton) 7
Have been a revelation this season, pulling off the Paddy Power/Coral Gold Cup double. Tapped for toe over two and a half miles at Cheltenham, if she stays this trip she looks a big player.
32. TOP OF THE BILL (Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies) 4
Has found a niche running well in quite valuable staying handicaps and was last seen finishing second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. This is a different kettle of fish.
33. JOHNNYWHO (Jonjo and A J O'Neill) 8
Looked an unlucky loser last season at Cheltenham and after a quiet campaign made amends when he returned there last month. He is 6lb well-in and has to be on any shortlist.
34. TWIG (Ben Pauling) 5
Ran better than his finishing position suggests last year and proved he likes the fences once again when winning the Becher earlier this season. Still looks up against it.
36. IMPERIAL SAINT (Philip Hobbs and Johnson White) 6
Something of a course specialist on the Mildmay track but this is a bit different. Would be slightly ironic were he to win being owned by Richard Johnson, who had 21 rides in the race without success.
37. AMIRITE (Henry de Bromhead) 3
Fourth in the Galway Plate but two big disappointments since. Hard to see him playing a part in the finish.
38. AIN'T THAT A SHAME (Tom Ellis) 2 - RESERVE
Finished sixth for previous yard under owner/amateur jockey two years ago but has only run once since when taking a tired fall at Kelso.
39. DEEP CAVE (Christian Williams) 3 - RESERVE
Progressive earlier in the season, but has struggled to feature the last twice and this could prove too hot at this stage of his career.
40. BUDDY ONE (Paul Gilligan) 2 - RESERVE
Once a useful hurdler, but little on recent form to suggest he could defy likely long odds.
VERDICT
With the race changing shape every year, it should be no surprise if more and more novices take aim at it before the handicapper can have a proper go at assessing them. Top of the list this year is OSCARS BROTHER, who rattled up a sequence in deep winter ground before showing he had a touch of class and could handle a quicker surface when fourth to Kitzbuhel at Cheltenham. Had Haiti Couleurs not run at Cheltenham he would have been a very strong fancy but he has already bounced back from one poor run this year to win the Welsh National. Others who can make the frame include Stellar Story and Quai De Bourbon.
Prediction: 1. OSCARS BROTHER 2. Haiti Couleurs 3. Stellar Story 4. Quai De Bourbon
PA
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