It's rare for this race not to be staged on soft or heavy ground and a few in here have shown a penchant for the mud. APPLE AWAY (nap) is effective on good to soft and she should have the class to remain in her comfort zone for a long way, which can count for so much in these staying chases. Although unraced over this far, she wasn't stopping when runner-up over 3m4f last time. Knockanore has barely scratched the surface as a stayer and he won the Eider with such authority that he has to rate a big danger, despite his inevitable hike in the weights. Val Dancer is another solid option given the season he's having, while stablemates Iron Bridge and Saint Davy may have contrasting profiles but they warrant a second look with them both now tried in blinkers.[Alistair Jones]
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A 9yo with just ten runs behind him; an out-and-out galloper who is made for a race of this nature and a 3lb rise for his latest Haydock win in this new aids combination (3m1f, soft; stays further) seems lenient; built to carry the 12st (though no horse has defied top weight since Bonanza Boy in 1991) but the glaring concern is that all his best form is in the mud, which he won't be getting here.
Classy mare who has always looked a strong stayer over shorter trips and she beat all bar a Haydock specialist in the 3m4f Grand National Trial there four weeks ago (good to soft; kept on); has even further to go this time but she jumps well in the main and should travel with purpose for a long way; every chance if seeing this out, despite her hefty burden.
Grade 2-winning chaser and respectable eighth (faded) in last year's Grand National; hasn't kicked on from a good first run of the season that reads well but she's easing in the weights and ran better at Haydock last time (3m4f, good to soft) than a 25l defeat may imply as she made a late mistake; her stamina for this far isn't guaranteed but interesting otherwise; tongue-tie joins her regular cheekpieces.
In two of his last four races he was pulled up in this last year and again in the Welsh National in December when amongst the favourites on both occasions; very capable stayer when on his game, though, and looked set for a good season when third to Val Dancer on his Carlisle reappearance (3m2f, good to soft); has run well here before and could yet have his day in the sun; makes the shortlist in first-time blinkers.
Won a 3m point and two of his hurdle wins were at that sort of trip; lightly raced over fences but that brings potential into the equation and he was only beaten 4l in a 3m Grade 2 on his chase debut in December; fell next time and then ran moderately in a Newbury handicap, but could easily threaten if finding some rhythm and seeing out the trip on his first taste of a National; as with stablemate Iron Bridge, blinkers are applied for the first time.
Up in class and up in trip (by some way) having never gone beyond an extended 3m; however, he's got low mileage as a chaser and won eased down last time at Carlisle (good to soft); handicapper saw fit to raise him 9lb for that but if his stamina reserves can stretch this far then he might not be far away.
Has won five of his last eight races and career bests the last twice in winning the Welsh National (3m6f, soft) and finishing a 12l third at Haydock (3m4f, good to soft; behind Apple Away but ahead of Galia Des Liteaux); he was 6lb out of the weights last time and returns to his correct mark here; would prefer softer ground ideally but lots to like otherwise.
Won well over Haydock's extended 3m1f on heavy two runs back; has failed to complete in his two previous marathon chases and was on the retreat, though still in third, when crashing out at the final fence of the Eider (good to soft); can run well again but others might be better equipped to see this out stronger; new cheekpieces the headgear of choice today (effective in visor/blinkers).
None too consistent and was well held when falling at Punchestown last time in the race won by stablemate Fortunedefortunata; however, he does have a valuable staying 3m3f handicap in the bag and was looking threatening in the Welsh National in December until he clouted four out (in first-time blinkers that have been retained since); his best days have been on slow ground.
Hurdling this season with mixed fortunes before his return to fences at Punchestown (3m3f, soft), where he was well on top in the finish to beat 16 rivals in a valuable race on his handicap debut in this discipline; they've probably only scratched the surface with him as a staying chaser but his apparent preference for the mud tempers enthusiasm in him.
Completed a four-timer last season when overcoming a serious late mistake to win the Eider at Newcastle (4m1f, heavy; 4lb lower); signs of rediscovering some form when running well for a long way in the Edinburgh National (3m7f, good to soft) and he was widely fancied to win a second Eider last month only to get loose before the start and be withdrawn; has a chance.
Kicked off over fences at 2m and hadn't won past 2m4f until putting that right on his first foray beyond 3m in the Eider at Newcastle (4m1f, good to soft), which he won eased down by some 16l; that was never in doubt from a good way from home and the 10lb rise is fully warranted; must have a chance of following up if he can perform to the same level three weeks on.
Only 1-10 as a chaser but he's a consistent gelding who ran another solid race to finish third in the Eider, albeit about 20l behind the easy winner Knockanore; likely to give his running once more but looks vulnerable off just 1lb lower.
Has won two of his six chase starts but was beaten off this mark in a six-runner handicap at Wincanton last time when in the new cheekpieces (3m1f, heavy); unraced beyond that trip but he's one who doesn't do much in a hurry and today's marathon trip could be up his street.
Left the impression that he wanted even further than the extended 3m7f when plodding on for second in the Edinburgh National (good to soft) and didn't get chance to show what he could do in the 4m1f Eider, having unseated seven fences out; Irish raider who could run well at lengthy odds.
Only 2lb higher than when winning Warwick's Classic Chase (3m5f, soft) 14 months ago but her third at Hereford just before Christmas is her only effort of note this campaign and her jumping left a lot to be desired last time when tried in cheekpieces (soon discarded); others safer.
For a long time he plied his trade over much shorter distances; it was his first run beyond 2m6f when winning a 3m1f handicap at Plumpton in January and he followed up in their Sussex National over 3m4f (again soft); it was likeable in how he wanted that so badly and all of a sudden he's a young stayer on the upgrade; needs respecting off his light weight.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
