The GNat is tomorrow. Pick your winner (before the race) for a bit of fun!
My horse has to be JOACCI (for obvious reasons)
1.HEDGEHUNTER R Walsh
Impressive winner in 2005 and second 12 months later but struggled under top weight last year after a difficult preparation. Has looked much better this year though and no reason why he won't give supporters another run for their money.
2.HI CLOY T Doyle
Has been campaigned at the highest level for the last few years but all previous attempts at three miles and beyond have borne no fruit. Look elsewhere.
3.KNOWHERE J Tizzard
Represents owner/trainer combination that won with Bindaree in 2003, but this one must carry a lot of weight after winning at Cheltenham in January. Jumping frailties are a concern and he's only evens to get round.
4.MR POINTMENT S Thomas
One-time favourite after winning over the big fences in November but burst a blood vessel on his only outing since and major questions to answer now.
5.TURKO R Johnson
Jumping problems re-surfaced at Cheltenham last time but he was still capable of a personal best run over a trip too short. Has a lot of weight though, and it's almost a hundred years since a six-year-old came home in front.
6.MADISON DU BERLAIS T Scudamore
Bidding to become the first seven-year-old to win since the war. Goes on any ground and normally a sound jumper, but high enough in the weights now.
7.SIMON D Elsworth
Fell at Valentine's last year when going well but has shown no ill-effects this season, running on well to finish fourth last time out. Jockey booking is a major plus and everything points to another big run - unfortunately he has to carry 10lb more than 12 months ago.
8.ARDAGHEY D England
Yet another entry from the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard but this one has failed to complete the course on his last two outings and has never been the most accomplished at his fences.
9.IRON MAN C Williams
Already failed to complete the course on two previous occasions and even if he stays upright stamina limitations are likely to be exposed.
10.FUNDAMENTALIST P Brennan
Got his act together this season with two wins, but has stamina issues at three miles and beyond while his jumping is another concern round here.
11.BUTLER'S CABIN T McCoy
Won at Cheltenham before winning last year's Irish National, but has shown precious little in three warm-up races this season and looks set to continue the champion jockey's dismal record in the race.
12.SLIM PICKINGS B Geraghty
Third 12 months ago and every chance of going two better this time. Campaigned with the race in mind by his Irish trainer and showed all the right signs on his return last month. Ignore at your peril.
13.CHELSEA HARBOUR D Russell
Well-backed in recent weeks after showing his best form so far when winning in the mud at Punchestown. However, the National seems something of an afterthought having already run nine times this season, and he looks to have plenty of weight for what he's achieved.
14.VODKA BLEU P Moloney
One of five from the David Pipe yard and like stablemate Comply Or Die has found his form with a vengeance this season. A quirky sort who needs to be held up, which is a big negative in a race of this nature. Could run into a place if he avoids trouble.
15.L'AMI M Fitzgerald
Finished 10th last year but is 9lb lower in the handicap now and showed his best form for a long time at Cheltenham. A safe conveyance though who is likely to complete the course again without threatening the front-runners.
16.SNOWY MORNING D Casey
Stablemate of Hedgehunter and finished behind him last time out when odds-on favourite. Will need to improve his jumping to safely negotiate all 30 fences and not one for maximum faith.
17.BEWLEYS BERRY D O'Regan
Going well in the lead when falling at Becher's 12 months ago and enjoyed another spin round when chasing home Mr Pointment in November. However, that run suggested the handicapper has his measure although another bold bid should not be ruled out.
18.CONTRABAND K Mercer
Nothing like the force of old but connections are relentless in their pursuit of giving themselves a big day out.
19.McKELVEY T O'Brien
A fast-finishing second last year but suffered a tendon injury in the process and two runs over hurdles in March gave no encouragement to loyal supporters.
20.JOACCI J Farrelly
Useful performer who has shown only sporadic signs of form over the past 12 months. On a going day he could go well with age, and the handicapper, still on his side, but out of action since December and something to prove overall.
21.POINT BARROW T Dobbin
Fell at the first fence when strongly fancied last year but has not been in any sort of form this season and looks one to steer clear of now.
22.D'ARGENT R Thornton
Admirable stayer who retains his form despite his advancing years. All ground comes alike and if he takes to the fences should run well although may be rushed off his feet towards the business end.
23.NO FULL S Barry
Shown consistent form having moved to Ireland last year but all his form has been on soft ground. A sound jumper who should get round but will need to find a good deal of improvement from somewhere to figure prominently.
24.BAILY BREEZE P Flood
Looked a chaser on the up but three of his last four runs have been abysmal leaving a question mark over his well-being.
25.BOB HALL N Fehily
Has struggled all year following a wind operation and with doubts over his ability to stay and jump, it's probably best to look elsewhere.
26.CLOUDY LANE J Maguire
Many people's idea of the winner and difficult to argue, having won his last three races in impressive style. Two of those have come since the weights were published, leaving him considerably well off in the handicap. Looks sure to be in the shake-up with only minor stamina doubts the only negative.
27.KING JOHNS CASTLE P Carberry
Chased home the high-class Mister Top Notch in January at his first attempt at three miles, but usually runs over much shorter distances while very soft ground appears requisite.
28. MON MOME A Coleman
If the ground doesn't get too firm he's got an each-way chance. Disappointing at Cheltenham last time but was staying on strongly at the finish, suggesting this extreme test of stamina could be what he now wants. On last season's form he could go close for his inexperienced rider.
29.CORNISH SETT Mr N Schofield
Quirky character who looked on a downward spiral prior to a mid-season break. Will either love it or hate it, and could be a dark horse at a very big price.
30.NAUNTON BROOK A Tinkler
Courageous front-running stayer who has been kept busy and may have gone to the well once too often judged by his latest effort in the Midlands National.
31.TUMBLING DICE T Ryan
Progression over fences appears to have flattened out and is another Irish raider with serious stamina limitations.
32.BACKBEAT W Renwick
Proved as good as ever when returning after more than a year out with victory at Sandown, where bold jumping was the key to his success. Likely to give supporters a good run for their money.
33.COMPLY OR DIE T Murphy
Back to his best after two years in the wilderness and has form on a par with Cloudy Lane. Should be up with the leaders from the start and with stamina proven, expect a bold show.
34.IDLE TALK B Harding
Stablemate of the favourite and was not without a chance when coming down early on the second circuit 12 months ago. However, has struggled to find his best form all season and he simple doesn't look good enough.
35.KELAMI B Keniry
Ran as well as he has ever done at Kempton last time out and would not be without a chance on that evidence. However, he's an infrequent winner and didn't appear to relish the experience when he was pulled up 12 months ago.
36.MILAN DEUX MILLE T Malone
Finished fifth in the Topham last year as a five-year-old but has looked out of sorts this time around and is a most unlikely winner.
37.NADOVER R Power
Has done all his winning on very soft ground and the handicapper appears to have his measure.
38.BLACK APALACHI A McNamara
Solid staying chaser from Ireland but this unique test will need to bring about plenty of improvement for this one to figure prominently.
39.PHILSON RUN D Jacob
Lightly-raced veteran but a regular in all the big staying chases and ran a great race to be fourth last year at 100/1. Shorter price this time but similar chance having looked in good form earlier this year.
40.DUN DOIRE R McGrath
Has a touch of the slows and simply could not keep up last year. Blinkers will be applied in an attempt to sharpen him up but soft ground would help enormously.
Grand National
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