Trainer: Venetia Williams
Jockey: Hugh Nugent
Top-weight alleviated by jockey taking off seven but still has to contend with a lofty mark. Third in Welsh Grand National in December gives him a fine form line and certainly has a solid chance.
This Venetia Williams trained Gelding is proven at staying this distance and even further and we know he likes to go out at the front but will he be able to do this at such a high weight is the question that needs answering.
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Tom Bellamy
This nine year old is a frustrating horse that one day can go really well but the other be very underwhelming. Last time out in the welsh Grand National is underperformed finishing sixth but came a credible second in the Scottish National last season and if finding that form will be up there
Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Jockey: Paddy Brennan
First win for two years last time out and ran well in similar race to this at Cheltenham in December and can make presence felt.
Has gone up in the weights for that win but is used to these long distance contests and has a top combination of jockey and trainer.
Trainer: Sue Smith
Jockey: Danny Cook
Coming off of a career best performance when winning Grade 2 handicap at Haydock in January. Handicapper has reacted but is an honest sort.
Course form could play a huge factor in this race on Saturday and again he is another horse that likes a staying test, needs to stay consistent with his jumping to have a chance again here.
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: David Noonan
Came second in big field race similar to this last time out. Won a handicap previous to that and looks to be in good form, hence the favouritism in the market.
Welsh National performance dos set the standard in this contest with form and he is one of the youngest runners in the field with less mileage than most, which could be useful.
Trainer: Colin Tizzard
Jockey: Sean Bowen
First run for over a year saw him finish second to Wakanda last time out. Sure to come on for the run and could take the beating.
This is another one of Tizzard's infantry and probably his best chance on the day to land this contest but will need to take strides forward and hopefully his last run didn't take to much out of him with the obvious lack of time on the track in the last year.
Trainer: David Pipe
Jockey: Tom Scudamore
A stalwart at this level and performs well. Sadly his last race was very disappointing in the Welsh Grand National and needs to bounce back immediately and it doesn't look like this will be the one to do it in. Past his best.
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Tom O'Brien
This former course and distance winner has stepped things up a notch this season but well beaten by Wakanda and Robinsfirth last time and needs to find more today to have any hope of being in the mix.
Trainer: Nicky Martin
Jockey: Matt Griffiths
One of the least exposed and has won three times in four runs this year. This a big jump up in class but no surprise to see him feature as he has looked impressive in his last few runs.
His form figures are something of good reading with three wins in his last four races and the other one was a place. Highly progressive stayer.
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Jamie Bargary
No win this season but has ran well in defeat on two occasions and is gradually stepping up to the mark. Has a clear each way chance in this one but needs to jump well and travel strongly into the contest, no mistakes can be afforded.
Trainer: Neil Mulholland
Jockey: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
This progressive star ran a blinder last time out and is only getting better in these marathon handicaps in which compared to the rest of the field is very unexposed.
Using that to his advantage on Saturday will be huge and if going close, he could set a huge marker for him and his trainer to head to the Grand National in April.
Trainer: Neil Mulholland
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
Eleven-year-old veteran with just the one win since 2015. Ran respectably at this level last time but needs more but that form line could read really well and it would not be a shock to see her in the frame for an each way shout with many book akers paying extra places.
Trainer: Kerry Lee
Jockey: Mitchell Bastyan
Pulled up in lesser race in January and no win since impressive Graded victory in 2016. Needs to suddenly rediscover form which looks highly unlikely as the big outsider of the field.
One to oppose in our opinion with more specialist horses in the field who just have that extra gear in comparison.
Trainer: Thomas Gibney
Jockey: David Mullins
This nine-year-old Irish raider that has shown a fair level of form will need more but is coming off a nice victory at Navan last time out and his trainer has hinted that the extra trip could bring the best out of him.
Another outsider of the field but like in the actual Grand National big prices normally do feature in big fielded contest like these.
Trainer: Evan Williams
Jockey: Leighton Aspell
Lightly raced nine-year-old that has found Class 1 level beyond him. No win since December 16th and unlikely to add to that here.
Been progressive over hurdles but in this chase sphere he is likely to struggle again and one to oppose if jumping to the same standard of last season.
Trainer: Sam England
Jockey: Jonathan England
First run in Graded company for two years. Ran well last time out to win at Haydock but will undoubtedly need to improve on that.
If improving he could feature but a big deciding factor for that is the ground turning soft or heavy and at the moment the conditions read good to soft.
