2. TIDAL BAY
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 18/1
Weight: 11-10
Age: 13
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
The old rogue is still loving life at 13, six years after his Arkle win.
Unseated in the 2011 race, but that remains the only time he's ever come
down over fences. Has to give weight to the whole field but almost gave
two stone in the Welsh National.
4
3. LONG RUN
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 14/1
Weight: 11-9
Age: 9
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Sam Waley-Cohen
Still only nine and has a Gold Cup and two King Georges on his mantlepiece. Form this
season below what we expect of him, but it might be an extreme test of stamina is
what he needs these days.
2
4. HUNT BALL
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 100/1
Weight: 11-7
Age: 9
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Andrew Tinkler
If he wins this Hollywood will come calling as career has had a touch of stardust
already. Seven wins two seasons ago catapulted him from obscurity, then took the
Robbie Williams path in America. Back on form now but has plenty of weight to
lump.
5. TRIOLO DALENE
Ratings: 4 Best Odds: 22/1
Weight: 11-6
Age: 7
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Barry Geraghty
Really fulfilling his potential over the last year, with a win over the National fences in the
Topham and an impressive Hennessy success. Behind in the Gold Cup but Cheltenham
might not be his cup of tea and price has inflated as a result.
6. ROCKY CREEK
Ratings: 4 Best Odds: 18/1
Weight: 11-5
Age: 8
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Noel Fehily
Brought along slowly over fences but likely we haven't got to the bottom of his ability,
despite showing high class form this season. Missed the Gold Cup through ringworm
but minor blip and looks a live prospect if the kid gloves have made him a man.
5
7. QUITO DE LA ROQUE
Ratings: 1 Best Odds: 40/1
Weight: 11-1
Age: 10
Trainer: Colm Murphy
Jockey: Brian O'Connell
Seemed destined for the very top in 2011, racking up five wins at Grade 1 or 2 level,
but an infection left its mark and only won once in 11 races since comeback.
Performances even worse this seas
on and this looks a hit and hope job.
8. COLBERT STATION
.
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 50/1
Weight: 11-0
Age: 10
Trainer: Ted Walsh
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Discarded by McCoy but the champ jumped off Jezki and More Of That at Cheltenham.
Was progressive coming into last year's race but unseated at The Chair, and fell on his
last start, so hardly an ideal prep but trainer knows what it takes to win this.
9. WALKON
Ratings: 4 Best Odds: 50/1
Weight: 11-0
Age: 9
Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Wayne Hutchinson
Gorgeous grey will have hope in the heart of Merseyside, and expect a gamble on the day.
Played the bridesmaid more than once in his career but took well to the big fences in last
year's Topham and season has been geared around this race.
10. BALTHAZAR KING
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 18/1
Weight: 10-13
Age: 10
Trainer: Philip Hobbs
Jockey: Richard Johnson
King of the Cross Country races this season, unbeaten in four and won off top weight at
Cheltenham. Ran well for a long way in last year's race and will go well again but probably
needs fast ground to eke out the necessary improvement.
11. WAYWARD PRINCE
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 80/1
Weight: 10-13
Age: 10
Trainer: Hilary Parrott
Jockey: Jack Doyle
Signs of wear and tear starting to show after pitching up in a fair few battles over the
years. Encouraging record at the track, however, including a Grade 1 win over hurdles in
2010, and not hard to see him bringing out the old gloves for another slugfest.
12. MR MOONSHINE
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 33/1
Weight: 10-12
Age: 10
Trainer: Sue Smith
Jockey: Ryan Mania
Represents last year's winning combo of Sue Smith and Ryan Mania, and has been in
great heart this season afer a couple of lean years. Staying on third in the Becher reads
well, but two wins since means he's 16lbs higher in the handicap.
13. TEA FORTHREE
Ratings: 5 Best Odds: 12/1
Weight: 10-12
Age: 10
Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
Jockey: Nick Scholfield
Tremendous run to finish third last year, jumping boldly up front, and was the only
horse carrying over 11 stone in the mix. Connections will want to hold back a bit
more for the finish, and looks to have an outstanding chance racing off a 2lb lower
mark.
1
14. ACROSSTHE BAY
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 66/1
Weight: 10-11
Age: 10
Trainer: Donald McCain
Jockey: Henry Brooke
Great spin in last year's race as led for a long way before stamina ran out. That
must be a concern once more but won a big pot off top weight over a marathon
trip on heavy ground at Haydock in December, so definitely worth another crack.
15. DOUBLE SEVEN
Ratings: 4 Best Odds: 14/1
Weight: 10-11
Age: 8
Trainer: Martin Brassil
Jockey: Tony McCoy
18-time champ Tony McCoy has chosen him ahead of Colbert Station, and he was
a rapidly improving horse on good ground last year. Form been boosted since and
if the rain stays away is very interesting for trainer who won the race with
Numbersixvalverde.
3
16. LION NA BEARNAI
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 40/1
Weight: 10-10
Age: 12
Trainer: Thomas Gibney
Jockey: Davy Russell
Roared to a shock 33/1 win in the 2012 Irish National, and showed he's still got
some grit at 12 when winning back at Fairyhouse in February. Was a late
withdrawal last year but good to go now and gets the assistance of Gold Cup-
winning jockey Davy Russell.
17. PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 25/1
Weight: 10-10
Age: 11
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Ante-post favourite for this race for the last two years before injury
struck. Chance may have passed, as probably not as well treated this
year, form hasn't been much to write home about and the race is a
mile further than he's ever been.
18. BATTLE GROUP
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 50/1
Weight: 10-10
Age: 9
Trainer: Johnny Farrelly
Jockey: Brendan Powell
Nine-year-old has a bipolar streak in him, and form this season has
reflected the winter weather. Connections will hope a three month
break gets him back to the same place where he was able to rack up
two easy wins in three days at Aintree last year.
19. BUCKERS BRIDGE
Ratings: 1 Best Odds: 100/1
Weight: 10-10
Age: 8
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
Jockey: Andrew Lynch
Patchy profile doesn't jump off the page, and eight-year-old will be one
of the least experienced in the field. Glimpse of promise on his first try
over three miles last time though connections are gambling that a
marathon trip is what he wants.
20. MONBEG DUDE
Ratings: 4 Best Odds: 14/1
Weight: 10-9
Age: 9
Trainer: Michael Scudamore
Jockey: Paul Carberry
Welsh National win last season showed his appetite for a real test,
and looked an improving horse when winning at Cheltenham in
November. Jockey Paul Carberry won on Bobbyjo in 1999 and will play
his trademark assassin's late swoop.
3
21. BIG SHU
Ratings: 4 Best Odds: 20/1
Weight: 10-8
Age: 9
Trainer: Peter Maher
Jockey: Peter Buchanan
Cheltenham and Punchestown Cross Country winner last year and ran well to
finish third a few weeks ago. Silver Birch won a National coming from that
discipline and this similarly unconventional test should suit, so lots to like
about him.
22. BURTON PORT
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 16/1
Weight: 10-8
Age: 10
Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill
Jockey: Brian Harding
Mixed it with the big boys in his career, though could never break through at
Grade 1 level. Not regained form on comeback from injury this season and
though trainer is a wily operator it would be a surprise to see him come home
in front.
23. OUR FATHER
Ratings: 1 Best Odds: 66/1
Weight: 10-8
Age: 8
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Denis O'Regan
Highly-touted through his career, but struggled with consistency and
hasn't finished a race well in three starts this season. Handsome grey
will be easy to spot through the first circuit, but you might have to get
the binoculars out on the second.
24. MOUNTAINOUS
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 50/1
Weight: 10-7
Age: 9
Trainer: Richard Lee
Jockey: Jamie Moore
Gutsy winner of the Welsh National over Christmas, and a 7lb rise for that
success isn't too harsh. Problem for him is he thrives on heavy ground in the
winter, so could be outpaced in spring conditions. One to note if the heavens
open.
25. VINTAGE STAR
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 70/1
Weight: 10-7
Age: 8
Trainer: Sue Smith
Jockey: Brian Hughes
In the right hands, as trainer won the race last year and owner
triumphed with Hedgehunter and Ballabriggs. This guy lacks the
class of those and fell last time, but we probably haven't seen the
best of him and this is the kind of test he wants.
26. THE RAINBOW HUNTER
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 33/1
Weight: 10-7
Age: 10
Trainer: Kim Bailey
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Bidding to give trainer a second National 24 years after Mr Frisk,
was a 50/1 shot last year and didn't get past the 8th fence. Likely to
be a shorter price this time after good win in January trial at
Doncaster, but has to convince he's over jumping issues.
27. CHANCE DU ROY
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 33/1
Weight: 10-6
Age: 10
Trainer: Philip Hobbs
Jockey: Tom O'Brien
Saves his best for these fences nowadays, and made the most of a drop in
the handicap to record a first win on his fourth try in December's Becher
Chase. That stands him in good stead but he may choke on his oats when
he realises he has to go around twice.
28. HAWKES POINT
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 50/1
Weight: 10-6
Age: 9
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Ryan Mahon
Nine-year-old who hasn't been to many big dances in his life but stepped up
in the Welsh National, only going down by a head. Should be more
improvement in him but likely on slow winter ground rather than quicker
spring conditions.
29. KRUZHLININ
Ratings: 1Best Odds: 125/1
Weight: 10-6
Age: 7
Trainer: Donald McCain
Jockey: Wilson Renwick
Done all his winning up north, with Kelso a particular favourite hunting ground.
Been found out on forays elsewhere and no horse younger than eight has won
since 1940. We'd say he has no chance but that's a positive in this race.
30. PINEAU DE RE
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 28/1
Weight: 10-6
Age: 11
Trainer: Richard Newland
Jockey: Leighton Aspell
Has a National win to his name, but 2013 Ulster success was achieved off an 18lb
lower mark. Potted around earlier in the season - including a fall over these
fences - but new trainer has found the key to him and finished well over hurdles
at Cheltenham.
31. GOLANWAY
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 100/1
Weight: 10-5
Age: 10
Trainer: Tim Vaughan
Jockey: Michael Byrne
Knows his job, having been on the go since he was two, and landed his tenth
win in facile fashion at Warwick last month. A change of scenery appears to
have got him back in the groove but he's failed all his tougher assignments in
the past.
32. TWIRLING MAGNET
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 100/1
Weight: 10-5
Age: 8
Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill
Jockey: Richie McLernon
Gives the impression that he holds a bit back for himself, so Aintree
fences might be the thing that finally fires the flames of his heart. More
realistic that he'll be focused on returning home in one piece, however.
33. VESPER BELL
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 80/1
Weight: 10-5
Age: 8
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Mikey Fogarty
Not one of his stables' brighter lights and appears to have accepted his
place in the pecking order. Lost his jockey on two of three starts this
season - including at the first over these fences - so hard to say he's on the
downgrade but profile looks ominous.
34. THE PACKAGE
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 18/1
Weight: 10-4
Age: 11
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
He's been a package of bandages in recent years, having been
restricted to just six races since 2010. Lovely third on latest comeback
at Cheltenham suggests ability remains and didn't hate this experience
as a youngster in 2010. Wouldn't rule out.
35. RAZ DE MAREE
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 66/1
Weight: 10-3
Age: 9
Trainer: Dessie Hughes
Jockey: Davy Condon
First time he's ventured outside Ireland in 23 career starts, so the
occasion could be a shock to the system. Won the Munster and
Cork Nationals in the autumn however, so likes these contests and
as such there will be worse outsiders.
36. ROSE OFTHE MOON
Ratings: 1 Best Odds: 80/1
Weight: 10-3
Age: 9
Trainer: David O'Meara
Jockey: Jake Greenall
Only six starts over fences to his name with a pair of £6k pots at
Wetherby the highlight. Got around but made no real impression
over the National fences in December and it's an achievement he's
even managed to get a run here.
37. SHAKALAKABOOMBOOM
Ratings: 3 Best Odds: 40/1
Weight: 10-3
Age: 10
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: David Bass
Backed into joint-favouritism for this race two years ago, and took to it well before
fading into 8th. Injury struck after, and spark hasn't been there since return in
January, though a 9lb lower mark than 2012 is a tempter if return to Aintree can
light him up.
38. ALVARADO
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 40/1
Weight: 10-2
Age: 9
Trainer: Fergal O'Brien
Jockey: Paul Moloney
Form of his career-best win at Cheltenham in November reads well, and
ground conditions should be similar on Saturday. Has refused twice before,
however, so may not have the stomach for this attritional marathon.
39. LASTTIME DALBAIN
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 66/1
Weight: 10-2
Age: 10
Trainer: Liam Cusack
Jockey: Robbie Colgan
Done most of his racing at two and a half miles and under, but two
best performances have been over further. One of those was a third
over these fences last year when he stayed on well, so can make an
argument but it isn't a persuasive one.
40. ONE IN A MILAN
Ratings: 1 Best Odds: 100/1
Weight: 10-2
Age: 9
Trainer: Evan Williams
Jockey: Adam Wedge
Barely paid his way through his career, with two wins from 19 starts.
Somehow finished fourth in his home Welsh National from 11lbs out of the
handicap, but that looks a fluke and he's another you wonder how he's even
made it into this race.
41. SWING BILL
Ratings: 2 Best Odds: 100/1
Weight: 10-1
Age: 13
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Conor O'Farrell
The old lothario will still hog the cameras with his flowing silver locks, but
he's a teenager now and retirement beckons. Tenth in 2012, he actually
improved on that to finish sixth 12 months ago so who's to say he can't get
in the money once more?