Aintree - Runner-by-runner

MADISON DU BERLAIS
Developed into top-class chaser in 2008/9 (3 wins). Well handicapped on that form but not quite so good this term (possibly needs to dominate nowadays) and fell first Canal Turn in 2007 National.

MON MOME
Runaway 100/1 winner of 2009 renewal. History is stacked against him for repeat win (only 2 back-to-back winners in last 140 years) but must be respected after his fine third in Cheltenham Gold Cup.

BLACK APALACHI
Easy winner of 2008 Becher Chase and going strongly in front when unseating second Becher's in 2009 National. Looked as good as ever when runner-up to stable-companion Vic Venturi last time.

JOE LIVELY
In-and-out form this term, good third at Cheltenham penultimate start but poor effort since. Front runner who could take well to these fences, though jockey Joe Tizzard has poor record in race.

VIC VENTURI
Successful 3 times this season, including Becher Chase here in November (despite jumping unconvincingly) and Grade 2 at Fairyhouse (beat stable-companion Black Apalachi). Not certain to stay 4½m.

COMPLY OR DIE
2008 Grand National winner who found only Mon Mome too good last year. Seen just twice this term but showed some sparkle refitted with blinkers on latest and should be primed for another bold bid.

DON'T PUSH IT
Has had jumping problems over fences but smart performer on his day, good second in valuable 27f event at Cheltenham in November. Ran lamentably back over hurdles there last time, however.

MADE IN TAIPAN
Smart chaser with several creditable efforts in frame this term, though seemed unsuited by hectic big-field handicap at Cheltenham last month and also very doubtful stayer (unproven beyond 2½m).

NICHE MARKET
2009 Irish Grand National winner. No wins since but several good efforts, close second to Tricky Trickster at Newbury. Handicapped to hilt now, but genuine sort who should take well to this course.

TRICKY TRICKSTER
Big-money purchase, who recouped some of that outlay when pipping Niche Market in AON Chase at Newbury. Lacklustre display in Cheltenham Gold Cup next time, though, and rejected by Ruby Walsh here.

CLOUDY LANE
Only sixth when joint-favourite for 2008 National (still in rear when unseating Chair in 2009). In better heart than recent form figures suggest, though hasn't been seeing his races out of late.

DREAM ALLIANCE
Smart chaser when his jumping holds together, only second run back after tendon trouble (missed 2008/9) when winning Welsh National at Chepstow in December. Jumped appallingly last time, though.

NOZIC
Well handicapped now and has shaped better than result suggests both starts this term. Didn't really take to these fences when twelfth in 2009 Topham, however, whilst he's also a doubtful stayer.

MY WILL
Not in same form as when third (off 2 lb higher) in 2009 renewal, whilst his jumping didn't convince that day and it could prove even bigger issue without Ruby Walsh's assistance this time.

PABLO DU CHARMIL
Vulnerable off this sort of mark since winning 2m handicap at Cheltenham on 2008/9 reappearance. Early faller there only outing this winter and easy to oppose here (unproven beyond 3m).

BACKSTAGE
Jumped okay when eighth in 2009 Fox Hunters', then improved form when winning valuable events at Perth and Ffos Las in summer. Brought along steadily since, though serious stamina doubts at 4½m.

BALLYHOLLAND
Sure-footed jumper, better than ever last summer, impressive winner of Galway Plate. Has shaped well both comeback runs this winter (won over hurdles first one), but stamina unknown quantity here.

BEAT THE BOYS
Won at Chepstow and Newcastle (valuable event) in autumn, but pulled up all 3 other starts in 2009/10 and not one to rely on, with suspect jumping/temperament likely to hold him back here.

PREISTS LEAP
Only 5 lb lower than when fourteenth in 2009 renewal and easy to oppose after uninspiring 2009/10 campaign so far, not fluent when well held in cross-country event at Cheltenham last time.

CAN'T BUY TIME
Successful 5 out of last 9 completed starts, including valuable 21f event at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Run best ignored last time (inadequate trip), though fell 18th in 2009 renewal.

SNOWY MORNING
Good third in 2008 renewal (off just 2 lb lower) but nowhere near so fluent when only ninth last year. Consistent form over shorter trips this term, encouraging third at Leopardstown last time.

BIG FELLA THANKS
Respectable sixth in 2009 renewal. Now 3 lb lower and obvious claims judged on recent win in 2½m event at Newbury. Return to further will suit and Ruby Walsh is regularly an asset over these fences.

CHARACTER BUILDING
Late absentee when well fancied for 2009 National following his win in that season's Kim Muir at Cheltenham Festival (when tongue tied first time). Well below that form both comeback starts.

STATE OF PLAY
Pulled up in Hennessy at Newbury on reappearance but has good record fresh and potentially interesting runner from 5 lb lower than when fourth in 2009 renewal (not helped by mid-race mistakes).

ELLERSLIE GEORGE
Much improved when winning at Stratford and Wincanton (valuable event) in autumn. Taken on for lead when well held last 2 starts, also disappointing both previous tries over these fences.

BALLYFITZ
Useful staying hurdler/chaser, but usually let down by jumping in this sphere and very difficult to fancy here as a result.

CONNA CASTLE
Not won since a prolific 2007/8 campaign and is often let down by his jumping (including last time). Also very doubtful stayer (raced mainly at 2m/2½m).

EQUUS MAXIMUS
Useful form when beating Tranquil Sea in valuable novice handicap at Punchestown in May, but very disappointing all 3 starts since (even allowing for unsuitably heavy ground on first 2).

ERIC'S CHARM
Enthusiastic front runner who is better than ever despite his advanced years, winning at Sandown and Newbury last 2 starts. Fell sixth in 2008 Topham only previous try over these fences, though.

KING JOHNS CASTLE
Lightly raced since runner-up to Comply Or Die in 2008 renewal (from just 2 lb lower) and difficult to assess, though not knocked about in 2 recent spins over hurdles.

OLLIE MAGERN
Not the force of old and decidedly unreliable nowadays, never dangerous from 2 lb lower at Cheltenham last time. Also lacks size for Aintree (fell second in 2009 renewal).

ARBOR SUPREME
Smart staying chaser, ran well dropped in trip when runner-up at Leopardstown last time. Strong traveller but sometimes finishes weakly, whilst his jumping has let him down on occasions too.

MALJIMAR
Goes well when fresh and not seen since keeping-on third in cross-country event at Cheltenham in December. Stamina is undoubtedly a concern over 4½m, but could be interesting if ground dries out.

IRISH RAPTOR
Clumsy sort away from Aintree but has good record over these fences, won 2009 Topham (also close second in 2008). Stiff task off this handicap mark, however, plus stamina doubts over 4½m too.

MR POINTMENT
Won 2007 Becher Chase, jumped well both subsequent tries over these fences (for Paul Nicholls). Seems on downgrade, out of depth when tailed off in Cheltenham Gold Cup on debut for new connections.

PIRAYA
Rather in-and-out since joining current stable, only win on British soil coming in 2½m event at Warwick in February. Well held in stronger company next time and easy to oppose here.

THE PACKAGE
Progressive chaser, won valuable event at Cheltenham in December, finished best of all when narrow second to Chief Dan George there last time. Good chance provided he handles preliminaries okay.

HELLO BUD
Much improved in 2008/9, won 3 'Nationals', notably Scottish version at Ayr. Had hard race at Cheltenham in autumn and out of sorts since, including when last of 5 finishers in Becher Chase here.

PALYPSO DE CREEK
Useful ex-French chaser, fourth of 5 finishers in Becher Chase here prior to good second in valuable 3m event at Haydock. Disappointing back over hurdles at Cheltenham last time, however.

ABBEYBRANEY
Expensive purchase who hasn't stood much racing for new yard, though did win 25f novice at Hexham in December. Lacklustre display in National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham last time (not fluent).

CERIUM
Took surprisingly well to course when admirable fifth (at 100/1) in 2009 renewal, despite reportedly fracturing skull during race. Out of depth in Cheltenham Gold Cup only outing since.

FLINTOFF
Unreliable sort, though placed in several long-distance events, including 2009 Midlands National at Uttoxeter. Pulled up in Welsh National on reappearance (only outing for Tim Vaughan).

ROYAL ROSA
No wins in over 3 years and, although he took quite well to course when third of 5 finishers in Becher Chase here in November, easy to oppose off this inflated handicap mark.

SILVER BIRCH
Won 2004 Becher Chase and 2007 National, though faller both other runs in latter race, including at second Becher's in 2009 (close up). Hasn't looked force of old in cross-country events this term.

KNOWHERE
Sketchy jumper who's failed to complete in last 3 renewals of this race, albeit still close up when unseating 6 out in 2008. Also none too reliable nowadays.

OODACHEE
Below best so far this term (including over hurdles), though took well to these fences in last 2 renewals of Topham (runner-up to Irish Raptor in 2009) and could go well at big odds.