Grand National Betting / Timeform / 03 April 2009 / Leave a comment

It's 170 years since the success of a horse called Lottery catapulted the race that became the Grand National into the public conscience, and whether you're eight or 80 you'll be cheering your selection on come 4.15 on Saturday afternoon, writes Timeform.

Cloudy Lane: Only sixth when co-favourite in 2008 National and much higher in weights now, though has largely done well this winter, including win at Haydock in January. Sound jumper despite fall last time.

Chelsea Harbour: Game sort who's largely been in very good heart in last 18 months, though sometimes let down by jumping, including when only ninth in 2008 National off 2 lb lower mark. Usually races close up.

Snowy Morning: Took surprisingly well to the fences when third in last year's National. Below form so far in 2008/9, though signs of revival in tongue strap when second to Black Apalachi at Fairyhouse.

Knowhere: Has failed to complete in last 2 Nationals, though going well when unseating 6 out in 2008. No forlorn hope at big odds if he returns to the form of his win here (over Mildmay fences) in October.

Comply or Die: History is stacked against him_Red Rum only back-to-back National winner since 1936_and below form all 3 starts in 2008/9, though clear signs of revival refitted with blinkers on latest.

Ollie Magern: Enthusiastic front runner when on song but usually gets found out in large-field handicaps nowadays and by no means certain to stay marathon trip.

Stan: Has struck up good relationship with Aidan Coleman, pair winning Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham this winter, but remains not one to rely on and very doubtful stayer over this trip.

Black Apalachi: Early faller in 2008 National yet jumped well when wide-margin winner of Becher Chase. Warmed up by beating Snowy Morning at Fairyhouse, making all again, but plenty high enough in weights now.

Hear The Echo: Surprise winner of 2008 Irish National, kept to hurdles in 2008/9 prior to shaping well over inadequate trip last time. Unseated late that day, however, and has had jumping problems in past.

Preists Leap: Mud-loving chaser who won Thyestes Chase at Gowran in January for second year running (when refitted with headgear). Struggled off higher mark next time and others make more appeal.

My Will (FR): Very reliable sort who's looked as good as ever on 2 starts since 18-month absence, when fifth in Hennessy at Newbury and Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Loads of experience and well handicapped.

Eurotrek: Lightly-raced 13-y-o who took well to the fences when winning 2006 Becher Chase, but pulled up in Grand National later that season (badly hampered) and sidelined again since.

State Of Play: Back near best when beating Ollie Magern in Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, and respectable fourth there next time. Goes well fresh, though hasn't always looked the stoutest of stayers.

Big Fella Thanks: Frustrating novice earlier in 2008/9 (hinted at temperament) but impressive winner of Skybet Chase at Doncaster, then good staying-on third to Nacarat at Kempton. Inexperience a concern here.

Mon Mome: Only tenth in 2008 National (hampered). In and out since, not without a chance on his win in listed event at Cheltenham in December but easy to oppose on more recent efforts.

Silver Birch: Successful twice over the fences, notably when 33/1-winner of 2007 National. Won point in February on return from injury but disappointing both starts since, including over hurdles.

Butler's Cabin: Showed plenty of stamina to win NH Chase and Irish National in 2007, going well when falling second Becher's in 2008 National. Brought along steadily since, promising fifth at Cheltenham last time.

Offshore Account: Successful on 4 of only 6 starts over fences, including in Grade 1 novice in 2006/7. Very lightly raced since, though some encouragement when runner-up back over hurdles on recent comeback.

Parsons Legacy: Consistent stayer, as good as ever when winning at Cheltenham in October. Softer ground unsuitable only start since and bold bid anticipated despite career-high mark. Usually races prominently.

Reveillez: Winner over fences at Cheltenham/Aintree Festival meetings for James Fanshawe. Absent nearly 2 years after second in Betfred Gold Cup, and mistakes when never dangerous both starts in 2008/9.

Fundamentalist: Error-prone chaser_early casualty in 2008 National_who hasn't really fulfilled early promise (last 2 wins in veteran events). Struggling for form at present.

Golden Flight: Prolific winning chaser in France and possibly needed race on recent comeback at Cheltenham, but didn't show enough for this stiffer task, particularly in the jumping department.

L'Ami: Didn't live up to expectations in 2007 (tenth) and 2008 (early faller) renewals of National for Francois Doumen. Rejuvenated by switch of yards/to cross-country races, though, winning at Punchestown.

Battlecry: Above-average staying novice in 2007/8 but has generally failed to see race out this winter. Stable going better now but longer trip is a worry.

Cornish Sett: Quirky stayer, narrow winner at Wincanton in November prior to good second in Welsh National. Disappointing since, however, and only twelfth off 4 lb lower mark in 2008 National.

Fleet Street: Unreliable performer who's been disappointing in 2008/9 apart from his win at Kempton in December. Has serious stamina doubts at this trip, too.

Musica Bella: Bidding to become first French-trained winner in over a century. Largely consistent at Auteuil in autumn, and also winner at Cagnes, but the handicapper hasn't taken any chances with her.

Can't Buy Time: Has made tremendous strides this season, recording fourth win in valuable event at Sandown in January. Ran very well for long way when fourth over 4m at Cheltenham, and may do better still.

Darkness: Smart chaser who's returned as good as ever this season after 2½ years off, though fortunate to win veterans race at Newbury last time. Has often looked hard ride and may not take to course.

Irish Invader: In rude health at present, completing hat-trick in 2¼m minor event at Thurles last time. Looks one of the better-handicapped Irish-trained runners, but stamina clearly a big doubt.

Rambling Minster: Durable veteran in form of his life, winning at Cheltenham and Haydock last 2 starts, going with plenty of zest ridden from the front at latter. Sound jumper and stamina virtually assured.

Southern Vic: Represents stable that won this with Papillon in 2000 and shaped as if returning to best when third at Naas in blinkers last time. Has had jumping problems (unseated in 2008 Becher Chase).

Kilbeggan Blade: Useful stayer who won valuable event at Sandown (for second year running) on sole chase outing this winter. Has done well over hurdles otherwise in 2008/9, though jumping a concern round here.

Brooklyn Brownie: Consistent sort who weak race at Wetherby last time. Runner-up in Grand Sefton here previous start, though didn't take to the fences so well as his finishing position would suggest.

Himalayan Trail: Big-money purchase after winning Midlands National at Uttoxeter in 2008 (for Sue Smith). Has struggled since for all he took quite well to the fences when fifth in Becher Chase.

Arteea: One-time useful hurdler/chaser for Michael Hourigan but didn't offer much on recent debut for new stable, jumping less than fluently, and makes little appeal faced with a marathon test.

Cerium: One-time smart chaser for Paul Nicholls but firmly on downgrade nowadays and yet another unrealistic Grand National runner for eccentric owner.

Idle Talk: Potentially well handicapped on best form but probably not the force of old and failed to last home in 2008 National (fourteenth) and Becher Chase (remote fourth). Often makes running.

Kelami: One-time useful staying chaser for Francois Doumen but appears to have lost the plot and has failed to complete on all 3 previous tries in this race.

Zabenz: Useful staying chaser in 2006/7 (pulled up early due to broken leather in that season's National). Successful both starts in points since injury, but much more required here.

Reserves

Maljimar: Career-best effort when caught close home by Wichita Lineman in William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham, but whether he'll jump round Aintree is debatable and doubts over stamina, too.

Companero: Carefully placed to win 5 of his 7 hurdles/chases to date, all on soft/heavy going. Will stay extreme distances but very inexperienced when it comes to a race like this.

Iron Man: Winless since September 2007, though placed in 3 good handicaps this season, including over National fences (first completion in 4 attempts). Lost form since, and only just gets 3m.

Patsy Hall: Hold-up performer who hasn't gone on from promising start over fences. Blinkered and was creeping into contention when falling 2 out in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham last month.