in touch, pushed along after 14th (Canal Turn), soon ridden and weakened
in touch, mistake 6th (Becher's Brook), ridden halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 24th (Canal Turn)
reminders 10th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 22nd (Becher's Brook)
blundered and unseated rider 6th (Becher's Brook)
remidners 9th (Valentine's Brook), ridden and weakened quickly next, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
held up, blundered 10th, hit 15th (The Chair), weakened quickly, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 19th
held up towards rear, mistake 6th (Becher's Brook), pushed along 13th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 15th (The Chair)
in touch, pecked 6th (Becher's Brook), ridden and weakened 23rd (Foinavon)
towards rear, sprawled badly 6th (Becher's Brook), soon well behind, stayed on from 3 out, no impression
mid-division, weakened and quickly and pulled upafter 12th
blundered and unseated rider 1st
tracked leaders, lost place halfway, hampered 22nd (Becher's Brook), soon behind
blundered badly and unseated rider 15th (The Chair)
towards rear, some headway halfway, behind when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
towards rear, never dangerous
always prominent, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear flat
mid-division, headway 17th, chasing leaders 25th (Valentine's Brook), ridden and effort 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders to halfway, behind when fell 19th
tracked leader, led 10th, headed approaching 13th, led again 15th (The Chair), headed approaching 17th, outpaced after 3 out
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 8th (Canal Turn)
in touch, ridden and weakened after 22nd (Becher's Brook), behind when refused 4 out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 19th
mid-division, some headway halfway,struggling when hampered 22nd, (Becher's Brook) behind, when blundered and unseated rider 15th (Valentine's Brook)
tracked leaders, led approaching 17th, headed approaching 20th, struggling 23rd (Foinavon), saddle slipped 25th (Valentine's Brook), 6th and weakening when blundered and unseated rider 4
in touch, headway to lead approaching 13th, jumped slowly and headed 15th (The Chair), led again approaching 20th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra flat
in touch, struggling 18th, weakening when mistake 20th
towards rear, outpaced halfway, headway under pressure 5 out, stayed on strongly after 3 out to go 2nd flat
led to 10th, blundered 17th, weakened from 23rd (Foinavon)
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, mistake 8th (Canal Turn), behind when fell 22nd (Becher's Brook)
towards rear, hampered and unseated rider 19th
held up towards rear, headway when mistake 20th, fell 22nd (Becher's Brook)
towards rear, some headway 12th, weakened after halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 22nd
This looks a vintage renewal of the world's greatest steeplechase with plenty of quality among the 40-strong field. Shotgun Willy has been backed to favouritism with many firms following an impressive return to action in Haydock's Red Square Vodka Gold Cup. However, the "bounce" factor is a worry for the nine-year-old, who is not certain to confirm placings with those behind him there, You're Agoodun and Iris Bleu. The latter was an unfancied 100/1 shot when falling at the fence before Beechers last year and it says much for the improvement that he has shown since that Tony McCoy chooses him over twice third placed Blowing Wind and five other Martin Pipe-trained runners this year. If the ground was softer, the French-bred would have gone close to being the selection but the seven-year-old may find the going too lively for him and he is probably best passed over. Chives, who ran a great trial in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup when seventh behind stablemate Best Mate would also prefer a softer surface and, from the same race, more solid claims are held by Behrajan. Henry Daly's gelding stays forever, will not mind the going and should be thereabouts but the burden of 11st 12lb may prove to be his undoing. Last year's winner Bindaree is another worthy of strong consideration. He has been aimed at this race all season and should appreciate the return to the longer trip having been outpaced over shorter distances. However, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding has not had an ideal preparation and it is difficult to see him becoming the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back Nationals. Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain has his best chance of winning for many years as he saddles Beecher Chase winner Amberleigh House. Proven form over the National fences is a bonus but the 11-year-old lacks the class needed to win the race and he is best left out of calculations. Gunner Welburn and Torduff Express are others with good form over the unique Aintree fences having filled the first two places in last year's Fox Hunter Chase, while the front-running Tremallt should give jockey Jason Maguire the thrill of his life. A win for Killusty would be the training performance of the year by Charlie Egerton as the nine-year-old was having his first start for more than two years when making a winning return at Sandown last month. The "bounce" factor is a major worry for him but the trainer knows how to ready a horse and has done so here before with Mely Moss. For the selection we go to the William Hill National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. The winner there Youlneverwalkalone will be a popular choice with both Liverpool and Celtic fans but also with form students as he had several of today's rivals behind him there. Connections are happy with the ground conditions but a doubt remains concerning his effectiveness over this trip and he is passed over. Ad Hoc, who finished third at Cheltenham filled the same position 12 months ago en-route to Aintree where, but for being brought down four out, he may have won. His preparation has been geared to this race and the son of strong Gale was having his first run of the season over fences at Prestbury Park, after four starts over hurdles. Ground conditions are ideal and, granted more luck than 12 months ago, he should go close. However, the selection is Henrietta Knight's Maximize, who filled fourth spot at Cheltenham. The son of Mandalus made much of the running that day and was outpaced four out before staying on well in the latter stages, indicating a step up in trip would suit. He comes here a fresher horse than most after just four runs this term, jumps for fun, has ground conditions to suit, the stable is in good form and, off a great racing weight, he has a great chance of giving jockey Jim Culloty back-to-back Grand Nationals.
