RUNNERS
1-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
STAND-BY
41-43

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	1-3P42	BEAU		8 11-10
	1		C Llewellyn
		N Twiston-Davies S Tainton

The classiest horse in the field has the benefit of a jockey who has won the National twice and a trainer who has done so once. He has plenty of weight to carry but on strict handicapping terms, Beau is very well treated and at only 8 years old has scope for improvement. Destroyed a good field in last year's Whitbread Gold Cup and loves jumping and galloping. He has a good chance of being right there as they make the final turn for home but further rain would not help his chances. Balding's mark: 8/10

	931-12	PAPILLON		10 11-5
	2		R Walsh
		T M Walsh B Moran

The Family Walsh have already been celebrating now that their Aintree hero can defend his crown. Don't imagine for a second that his training has slackened: he has been prepared for this one race in mind and has shown himself sharper than ever with a win and a second in much shorter races. Papillon gave Ruby Walsh a dream ride last year and will need luck on his side to repeat the feat but he has the experience, the ability and the preparation to double up. Balding's mark: 10/10

	112233	EARTHMOVER		10 11-2
	3		J Tizzard
		P Nicholls R Penny

A faller at the 4th fence last year, he has been well supported by punters looking for value. He has proved himself a slightly unlucky horse but is enjoying jumping more this year with a string of consistent results. If he gets round, he would have a major chance of making the places but it is a fairly big 'if'. Balding's mark: 6/10

	-P224U	TRESOR DE MAI		7 11-2
	4		R Greene
		M Pipe J Moran

A young foot soldier in the Martin Pipe army of runners. Has ability but always seems to make a mistake at a key point in a race. If he does that here, he will not get round. Balding's mark: 4/10

	60P/24	GENERAL WOLFE		12 11-0
	5		B Crowley
		V Williams The Winning Line

An old stager who has come back from retirement and still maintains his enthusiasm at the age of 12. Has jumped round the course twice, without threatening to make the places and is notoriously difficult to keep healthy and sound. His trainer has done well to get him to the race at all and he will not let her down but is unlikely to find the finishing burst needed to win the race. Balding's mark: 6/10

	7-46U8	THE LAST FLING		11 10-12
	6		S Durack
		S Smith T Hemmings

I had reservations about whether this flamboyant and headstrong jumper would get round last year but he did so in style, finishing a gallant 7th behind Papillon. Has won some good races and will give Seamus Durack another thrilling ride but has not been himself so far this year and will need to improve to feature in the finish. Balding's mark: 6/10

	3/1-F0	HANAKHAM		12 10-11
	7		B Geraghty
		D McCain M Brereton

Once a high-class horse who won the Royal SunAlliance chase at Cheltenham, he has been beset by injuries and has run less in his life than most horses do in one season. McCain has worked miracles with unsound horses in the past, including Red Rum whose three Grand Nationals were won despite having desperate feet, and he will need to do so again. Balding's mark: 5/10

	035-26	ADDINGTON  BOY		13 10-11
	8		not yet known
		F Murphy Gott Foods Ltd

Now 13 years old and another who has come back from retirement, he saves his very best for Aintree where he has finished 5th and 3rd in the last two years. His jockey will have the luxury of being able to point him in the right direction, sitting back and enjoying the ride because he will do the rest and who's to say he won't make the top 5 again? Balding's mark: 7/10

	14552F	RED MARAUDER		11 10-11
	9		R Guest
		N Mason N Mason

A case of "strap on your seatbelt and prepare for a bumpy ride". Not the cleanest of the jumpers and only made it to Bechers last year. He fell at the first last time out at Haydock and has had serious injury problems but does have an engine when he's right and when he can stay on his feet. Balding's mark: 5/10

	6P7440	DJEDDAH		13 10-11
	10		T Doumen
		F Doumen R Barby

Having been denied the chance to take Cheltenham by storm, it would be just like the Doumen team to make up for it at Aintree and Djeddah is one of a few who could have sneaked past the handicapper's steely glare. He jumped round last year to finish 9th and has the weights in his favour this time, which will give him more of a chance of finding more speed at the end of the race. No French-trained horse has won the race since 1867 but Djeddah doesn't know that. Balding's mark: 8/10