The same cannot be said for rivals that include Parson's Legacy, Darkness, Chelsea Harbour, Offshore Account, Fleet Street, Brooklyn Brownie, Reveillez, Fundamentalist, Himalayan Trail or previous National winners Silver Birch and Comply Or Die.
Looking better the further he went, Kilbeggan Blade won the three-mile six-furlong chase at Sandown in December off an official mark of 137, which was upped to 141. That's another box ticked, since the last 10 winners of the National were rated between 136 and 141.
Crucially, Kilbeggan Blade jumps for fun. He has never fallen in a 31-race career. Furthermore, he has winning form on good ground and should Graham Lee be passed fit tomorrow to ride after suffering a shoulder injury, he'll have the assistance of a Grand National-winning jockey aboard.
Another hopeful with a solid chance is Keith Reveley's Rambling Minster, who was fifth behind Kilbeggan Blade at Sandown and has subsequently shown himself to be in good shape with wins at Cheltenham and Haydock.
Dual-National winner Ruby Walsh passed over the ride on his father Ted's Southern Vic, who would probably appreciate easier ground. Yet the statistics are against his chosen mount, the Paul Nicholls-trained favourite My Will, who shoulders 11st 4lb because only Hedgehunter has carried more than 11st to victory since Corbiere in 1982.
Former Hennessy Gold Cup winner State Of Play looks extremely well handicapped on his best form while of those at bigger odds, Cloudy Lane, Chelsea Harbour and Knowhere may have too much weight, but they have undoubted class and both possess abundant stamina to stay on.
Milham's verdict on the big race
1 Kilbeggan Blade 2 State Of Play 3 Rambling Minster 4 Chelsea Harbour
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