It is the greatest spectacle National Hunt racing has to offer,in addition to being the most watched jumps race in the calendar. In this preview, I will pop in a couple of lines about each of the 40 runners to try and solve the big race.
1) Imperial Commander - Bold show guranteed by this former Gold Cup winning veteran. Sam Twiston Davies replaces the banned Paddy Brennan. There won't be a dry eye in the house if he wins, but I'd be a little bit surprised.
2) What A Friend - Pulled up in this 2 years ago and quirky customer who appears to be in decline. Sam Thomas may need a magic wand!!
3) Weird Al - Well, he is a bit weird! Timmy Murphy brings out the best in him however, but fell last year and risky.
4) Quel Esprit - A tough grey who needs it deep normally but is classy. A surprise winner but not impossible.
5) Big Fella Thanks - Not got home in this race twice after travelling strongly. Will trade low on Betfair especially as Denis O'Regan will sit pretty!
6) Seabass - Will be very popular on the day as Katie Walsh rides. He is 5lb higher than last year's third and shouldn't be far away again.
7) Roberto Goldback - Went up a shed load in the weights for Ascot win in October and life always difficult now despite yard flying.
8) Sunnyhillboy - Is now 10lbs higher than when a short head second last year which makes life tougher. Richie McLernon rides again and will attract same supporters as last year but much harder this year.
9) Ballabriggs - Won this in 2011 and ran well in 2012. Good bet to get around but very unlikely winner aged 12.
10) Teaforthree - Loves quicker ground and stays v well. Must go close for Rebecca Curtis and Nick Scholfield.
11) Across The Bay - Can sulk when taken on for the lead, which will definitely happen here. Nice for Henry Brooke to get a ride though.
12) Join Together - Jumped well here in the Becher but looks one paced and I'd be surprised if he was good enough for last years winning connections.
13) Colbert Station - The ride of McCoy hence he will be over bet. He is clearly progressive and Ted Walsh knows how to win this. A chance but I'd rather swerve.
14) Forpadytheplasterer - A very good horse on his day but today is a very different test to his normal one.
15) On His Own - Faller when travelling really well at Bechers last year. Since won the Boyne Hurdle at Navan and is in great fettle. Has a huge chance and must be feared by all, however if you want to back him, wait till very late.
16) Joncol - A horse I love but he needs ground much more testing than this and may get rushed off his feet.
17) Balthazar King - My best selection for the race, goes best fresh, jumps really well, travels well, stays well and has a gear change. Big e/w chance.
18) Cappa Bleu - Ran very well last year and should be a live place contender once again this time around.
19) Oscar Time - Unlikely that a 12 year old can come and win this, and his 2nd in 2011 the best he was. Sam Waley Cohen will get a nice spin though.
20) Always Waining - A star over these fences after winning last two runnings of the Topham. Unlikely stayer however but would be a fabulous story aged 12.
21) Tatenen - Tends to clout the odd fence and prefers Ascot to anywhere else.
22) Treacle - Not a smooth traveller normally in his races and Fell in this last year. Can't see it myself for Andrew Lynch.
23) Lost Glory - Won four out of his last five but they were summer handicap chases but is at his highest ever mark and not considered by AP.
24) Swing Bill - A popular pick for people who back grey horses and will give Conor O'Farrell a great spin without getting involved. Good bet to complete however won't be at the business end.
25) Saint Are - One I really like at current 50/1. Won at the last two Aintree Festivals and comes alive for the ground. Would break the Welsh hoodoo as well.
26) Chicago Grey - Too short in the market for me as he does make plenty of errors and I can't see him completing (11/10 to not complete Bet365)
27) Quiscover Fontaine - The final one I'm backing. Lovely weight, jumped really well last year till he was unsighted and came down. Mullins says he will stay and I'd be hopeful of a big run at 50/1.
28) Rare Bob - Overhyped last year, and overhyped again this time for me. He doesn't jump well enough and is only 25/1 because of Bryan Cooper. Can't see it at all.
29) The Rainbow Hunter - Progressive but can be a little bit tricky and will be ridden to complete.
30) Becauseicouldntsee - A likeable veteran but is on the downgrade and makes mistakes.
31) Harry The Viking - Stays really well but a bit quirky and badly out of form.
32) Mr Moonshine - Stays well but needs a deeper surface than he will get here and has his work cut out to figure, may complete though.
33) Mumbles Head - Another 12 year old but this one didn't get past the first fence in the Becher Chase and would be similar to Foinavon if he won.
34) Ninetieth Minute - Jockey has won this before and horse won a Coral Cup in his prime, but not won for a long time but could easily complete.
35) Auroras Encore - Would be amazed if he completed to be honest, shouldn't be running and should be saved for Ayr and the Scottish National, a race he lost by a short head last year.
36) Tarquinius - Great for Wilson Renwick to get a big race ride. Needs a bog normally and would be a shock winner.
37) Any Currency - Has temperament problems and didn't enjoy the Cross Country fences last time.
38) Major Malarkey - Ground up his alley but not good enough.
39) Soll - Good jumper and jumping test to suit. Ground and tempo may be a bit too fast for him.
40) Viking Blond - The horse to cause problems at the start as he can plant himself. Adam Wedge will have a job to get Viking Blond home both intact.
The three I am backing are Balthazar King, Quiscover Fontaine and Saint Are.
Best of luck,
Will
