I had reservations about whether this flamboyant jumper would get round last year but he did so in style, finishing a gallant 7th behind Papillon. He will give Seamus Durack another thrilling ride but has not been himself so far this year. 6/10
8: Hanakham
A former Cheltenham Festival winner. Has been beset by injuries and has run less in his life than most horses do in one season. McCain has worked miracles with unsound horses, including Red Rum. He will need to do so again. 5/10
9: Addington Boy
Another who has come back from retirement, he saves his best for Aintree where he has finished 5th and 3rd in the last two years. His jockey will have the luxury of pointing him in the right direction and enjoying the ride. 7/10
10: Red Marauder
A case of "strap on your seatbelt and prepare for a bumpy ride". Only made it to Bechers last year and fell at the first last time out at Haydock. Has had serious injury problems but does have an engine when he's right. 5/10
11: Djeddah
He is one of a few who could have sneaked past the handicapper's steely glare. He jumped round last year to finish 9th and has the weights in his favour. No French-trained horse has won the race since 1867 but Djeddah doesn't know that. 8/10
12: Strong Tel
Was a decent novice chaser and won a total of six races in 1999 but has only been seen twice since then. He did not look the same horse when 8th in the Hennessy Gold Cup on his only start this season and has plenty on his plate. 5/10
13: Unsinkable Boxer
A former Pipe horse who was once a Cheltenham Gold Cup contender but was pulled up with a broken blood vessel and has since been point-topointing. Known to take his fences by the roots. Dean Gallagher will need strong glue. 4/10
14: Blowing Wind
With a name that causes giggles galore, it's hard to take this horse seriously but he does know how to jump and is a brave battler. He has won his last two races over much shorter distances and is A P McCoy's choice. 5/10
15: Moral Support
One of the most progressive horses of the year, he has stepped up from novice chases to handicaps with ease, winning at Chepstow and then finishing 2nd there in the Welsh National. Thrives on racing and stays all day. 8/10
16: Northern Starlight
Only a small horse but very clever with his feet and the most likely of the Pipe team to jump round. He won over the big fences in the John Hughes Chase this time last year but has not been seen since. 8/10
17: Noble Lord
A tiny horse with a very short neck, which may make the drop fences interesting for Jimmy McCarthy. Second in the Scottish National and won on his debut this season. Stays well and handles good or soft ground. 7/10
18: Amberleigh House
Has put up some good performances at around 2 1/2 miles in Ireland but has been tailed off in three runs for his new stable. Chances of staying 4 1/2 miles are slimmer than Kate Moss. A long-shot at best. 4/10
19: Exit Swinger
Six years old but has already had 19 races over jumps, starting in France where horses are more precocious. Has run with credit this year without winning but is a speed horse who has never raced over this sort of distance. 5/10
20: Mely Moss
The subject of a major gamble and has been trained with only this race in mind. Ran a blinder to finish 2nd in the race last year and has not run since but looked fitter than Geri Halliwell when I saw him on Tuesday morning. 9/10
21: Dark Stranger
Favourite last year when partnered by McCoy but only made it to the 3rd fence where he got rid of his rider. Not in as good form this year and although capable of better has been deserted by the champion. 6/10
22: Listen Timmy
Runs in the same colours as the 1997 winner Lord Gyllene and won over the big fences when taking the John Hughes Trophy two years ago. Was badly hampered at the first fence last year and eventually pulled up. 5/10
23: Inis Cara
Likes heavy ground and jumps well but has not run for a while. A safe conveyance who could get round but will need plenty of rain and others to fall to be in with a chance in this competitive event. 5/10
24: Edmond
Former Welsh National winner who revels in heavy ground and has stamina in bucketfuls. Likes to make the running but will find that difficult on the first circuit. If he gets into a rhythm and jumps well, will keep galloping. 7/10 25:
You're Agoodun
May be a goodun but not good enough for this. Has unseated his jockey twice in his last three runs and is still very immature in his jumping. Ran well last time, but is a boy among men. 3/10
26: No Retreat
A New Zealand import who jumps well and is similar to Brookshaw's '99 winner Lord Gyllene. Has won on heavy but ideally needs good ground to show his best and has struggled this year. Hard to assess but not one for the mortgage. 5/10
27: Smarty
Mark Pitman will be trying to follow in his mother's formidable footsteps but his horses have not been in great form of late and Smarty's last run was a stinker. Has been quietly supported in the market but more in hope than expectation. 5/10
28: Hollybank Buck
Will give Francis Flood a super first ride in the National. Finished 10th behind Papillon last year despite making a few mistakes. Should jump round again but has been a bit in and out this year. 6/10
29: Moondigua
Pulled up in the Scottish and Welsh Nationals and does not seem to like big fields so will not enjoy this. If you've picked him out of the office lottery, the advice is buy another ticket and pick again. 3/10
30: Village King
Fell on the second circuit last year but has been jumping well this season and stays well. His trainer has had long-shots run creditably before so not a write off but 40-1 reflects his chance.
5/10
31: Spanish Main
Relatively inexperienced over fences and despite a slogging win in the mud at Uttoxeter last time, will do well to get round. Clearly trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies' second string.
3/10
32: Esprit de Cotte
Mick Fitzgerald may have thought that winning the race was better than sex but the love life has been looking ordinary for the last two years, when he's fallen at Becher's on the second circuit both times (on this horse last year). 3/10
33: Lance Armstrong
Has been enjoying something of a renaissance because of the prevailing soft ground, which he loves. His trainer is in form and his jockey has the long legs needed to stick on him but it would be a major surprise to see him in the first four. 5/10
34: Kaki Crazy
A heavy ground specialist who has done all his winning in France. Only a six-year-old but already showing signs of temperament beyond his years. Tends to get tailed off in a sulk and then runs on again. Not reliable. 3/10
35: Feels Like Gold
Has jumped round for the last two years (finished 5th to Bobbyjo in '99) and has won over the big fences. Has only run once this season when unseating his rider at the third fence in the Becher Chase. 6/10
36: Paddy's Return
The choice between this and Addington Boy caused Adrian Maguire heartache and I can see why. Ran well to finish third in the Becher Chase in November. With the Irish being allowed to race his name is a tip in itself. 8/10
37: Brave Highlander
Runs in the colours made famous by Aldaniti and did them proud last year when he finished 4th to Papillon. Jumped round the year before to be 6th and is becoming a standing dish at the National. A bit long in the tooth. 7/10
38: Art Prince
Was 100-1 last year and fell at the first. The jockeys are falling over each other not to ride him and he'll do well to get to the third fence. No chance. 2/10
39: Mister One
Not a no-hoper. Has won round Cheltenham and stays. Trained by Joe Tizzard's father and although Joe has chosen to ride Earthmover he may be on the wrong one. Half-brother to former Gold Cup winner See More Business. 6/10
40: Supreme Charm
Good looking horse who has been running well this season and at nine is the right age. Fell over the National fences in the John Hughes Chase last year and not certain to stay. Trainer Kim Bailey won with Mr Frisk in 1990. 5/10
