Grand National Runner By Runner Analysis

Video Preview of the Grand National

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Tidal Bay
One of the class acts in the field but pays for that with the welter burden of top weight but has lost little of his sparkle in his old age although can have his quirks. Was last seen when flying home from an impossible position in the Hennessy at Leopardstown to grab second on the line, including beating the Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere. Trainer Paul Nicholls won this race two years ago with Neptune Collonges but his only appearance in a National resulted in him unseating his rider. Considered and would be no surprise if he ran a big one, but can be opposed with a few in the race. Rating - 8/10

Long Run
Not the force of old but showed glimpses of his former self when winning a run of the mill contest up at Kelso in good style. The major worry for him around here is his jumping as he has been found wanting in that department before but he should have no problems in the stamina department. He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup back in 2011 beating Denman and Kauto Star but he isn't the same horse he was back then. Sam Waley Cohen is the only amateur rider in the race but his record round these fences is sublime, including a victory on Thursday in the Foxhunters on Warne. Again considered but needs to return to somewhere near his best to win this. Rating - 7/10

Hunt Ball
Rose to the big time a couple of seasons ago when winning seven out of nine races including at the Cheltenham Festival and a third in the Betfred Bowl here. Things haven't gone his way at the highest level since then and he failed to sparkle in America down to no fault of his own but is back with a top trainer. He showed that he still retains plenty of ability when third at Ascot behind Captain Chris over two and a half miles, before a good fourth over the same distance at Cheltenham. Worries about his jumping around here and serious worries about his stamina can see him discarded today. Rating 5/10

Triolo D'alene
An admirable seven year old who has paid his way recently with two victories to end last year including a win over these fences in the Topham. On his second outing this season he won the Hennessy at Newbury when generally unfancied at 20/1 before having a long break mid-season. He made his reappearance at Cheltenham in the Gold Cup when totally outclassed but steps back into Handicap company today and course form is a plus. Barry Geraghty chooses him over Hunt Ball but a few others are fancied, even on his best form. Rating - 6/10

Rocky Creek
Yet to live up to the tall reputation he was awarded by connections at the start of last season but has run some good races in hot contests. He found only Triolo D'alene too good in the Hennessy before losing to strong stayer Harry Topper in the Argento at Cheltenham. He has been awarded a mark of 156 which could be a bit high but this race has been in the pipeline for some time and will be fighting fit on the day. The assistance from the saddle of Noel Fehily is a huge bonus as he has been in great form lately but the horse is likely to come up short. 6/10

Quito De La Roque
The first Irish contender on the list and not their strongest one with Quito De La Roque who hasn't won since January 2013 at Thurles. Jumping and Stamina wont be an issue but he is a shadow of his former self when a dual Grade One winner back in 2011, but just the one win since then. Consistent enough but that isn't good enough here and he finds winning hard to do so for that reason he is easily brushed aside. Rating - 3/10

Colbert Station
Fancied last year off a two pound lower mark and his race ended prematurely when unseating AP McCoy at The Chair. He has posted a few laboured effort since last years race but the clear pick of his recent form is his third behind Cootamundra at Navan, which will need significantly improving on. Stamina shouldn't be a problem but AP McCoy prefers Double Seven and like him, others are preferred. Rating - 5/10

Walkon
Alan King's Grey Gelding has been very disappointing so far this season in two stars but was running well on his return when unseating Robert Thornton. The other stable jockey Wayne Hutchinson takes the ride today which is no negative and he has finished no worse than third on the horse in three attempts. He ended last season on an upward curve when fifth at Cheltenham and second over these fences behind Triolo D'alene. Jumping is no worry whatsoever but stamina is a major doubt as the furthest he has won over is two miles shorter than today, and hasn't won since late 2011. More than useful on his day but overlooked today. Rating - 4/10

Balthazar King
Balthazar King has made the Cheltenham Cross Country races his own in the last few years and ran well for a long way here last season before tiring. He jumped with great zest that day and thoroughly enjoyed himself but aggressive tactics may have found him out a little over this monster trip. Richard Johnson has partnered him in 13 of his 14 successes including victories in his last four races, including one in France. Slightly more restrained tactics could help him today and as long as he gets his slice of luck he'll be a major player, but did have a hard race at Cheltenham and any rain would hinder his chances. Strong place claims and good chances of winning the big prize. Rating - 8/10

Wayward Prince
Hails from the small yard of Hilary Parrott and he has won at Aintree before, albeit on the Mildmay Course and it is unknown how he will handle the National fences. His form can be a bit indifferent in the sense that when he is good he is very good but more regularly hits the opposite end of the scale. Looks up against it today but it would be no surprise to see him go well for a while. Rating - 3/10

Mr Moonshine
Representing the team who won the race last year of Ryan Mania and Sue Smith and is more than capable on his day, but he has had a hard campaign this time around. Jumping is very much his forte and stamina isn't too much of an issue but his class may let him down in this class of race. He looks to leave behind a disappointing effort last year when pulled up before the 27th fence when well behind and tired. Very good on his day and fitness wont be lacking but others are preferred. Rating - 5/10

Teaforthree
Last year's third off 151 and was all but leading over the last before stamina emptied on the run in after an attacking ride from Nick Scholfield. He was passed late on by Cappa Bleu who was held up out of the race and has been the ante-post favourite for some time. His jumping and stamina are assured and it's hard to pick holes in his form after a very good prep run at Ascot, before showing up well for a long way in the Gold Cup. The Handicapper has assigned him a mark of 149 to run off this season which is two pounds lower than last year and his overall profile is rock solid. Providing he runs his race he will be very hard to beat and its near impossible to see him out of the places if he makes it round. Rating - 9/10

Across The Bay
Fourteenth in this race last year and eighth in the Becher Chaser over these fences earlier this season behind Chance Du Roy. As a Novice he promised so much but never really made it as a top class chaser and as a result was stuck with a high handicap mark, so he has found life tough lately. Stamina wont be a problem and his jumping is usually pretty good but he is yet to get close on two attempts over these fences. His attitude couldn't be faulted two runs ago when staying on well to win over three and a half miles at Haydock but he unseated last time out. Overall he isn't without a chance but others are preferred ahead of him and its hard to see him realistically winning. Rating - 5/10

Double Seven
The mount of 18 time Champion Jockey AP McCoy who won this race back in 2011 on Don't Push It for his boss JP McManus who he rides for here. Double Seven had notched up six wins on the bounce before finding things happening too quickly for him over two and a half miles last time out. Stamina shouldn't be too much of a problem as he has won over in excess of three miles before, however he does have to deal with a career high handicap mark and he lacks the physical scope of some of these. The McCoy factor is sure to see him go off a much shorter price than he should and he isn't without a chance but he may come up short for win purposes. Rating - 6/10

Battle Group
Now for a runner who has a mind of his own in Battle Group who looked as if his rebellious days we behind him when winning three on the bounce late last season. Them three wins all came for Kevin Bishop and since joining his new yard he has gained three letters next to his name in the racecard. He started off by being pulled up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup before disgracing himself and refusing to race at Newbury and he was also pulled up last time. In all seriousness, even his best form wouldn't be good enough to win this and it is no certainty that he will even start the race after his Newbury exploits, easily opposed. Rating - 2/10

Buckers Bridge
Buckers Bridge is still relatively lightly raced for a National contender as he has only graced the racecourse with his presence eight times. He tackled a true stamina testing trip for the first time in his most recent run where he passed the test in third behind On His Own and Mount Benbulben. More will be needed today but he remains somewhat an unknown quantity which could be both for and against him in a National. On one hand he may be far better than we have previously seen, however he may also lack experience on the big stage. Connections also have the first reserve in the race who would have a better chance so it could be that Buckers Bridge is withdrawn to make room for Goonyella. If allowed to take his chance then Buckers Bridge could surprise a few here but winning may be too much to ask. Rating - 6/10

Lion Na Bearnai
The only twelve year old in the race is Lion Na Bearnai who is already a National winner, albeit an Irish National, but nonetheless a National. Stamina is assured here and is the chosen ride of Gold Cup winning jockey Davy Russell, although Lion Na Bearnai has his first stab at a National late in life. He wont mind what ground it is come race day as he performs on all going but faster ground would be preferred if anything. We last saw him when 33 lengths behind Buckers Bridge but it is safe to say he is better than that showing and he has solid place chances if taking to the fences. Rating - 6/10

Prince De Beauchene
A serious contender in Prince De Beauchene who represents the Champion Irish Trainer Willie Mullins who tasted success in this race with Hedgehunter in 2005. He has promised a lot in past seasons before getting little injuries that have ruled him out of the National, but this year he finally gets here in one piece. The last win to his name was in the Bobbyjo Chase in 2012 over three miles and a furlong so stamina isn't a huge problem and jumping isn't a worry here. He was in the process of running a big race in the Hennessy at Newbury before making a couple of bad mistakes at the wrong time and losing too much ground, that run is forgiven. He has since struggled in a Grade One which is probably above his ability and more recently was a good fourth over two and a half miles which is too short for him. The Handicapper has finally relented and given him a chance back in a handicap from his lofty 150+ ratings and has put him on 147 for today. Paul Townend fills in for the injured Ruby Walsh and Prince De Beauchene is taken to win the Grand National of 2014. Rating 9/10

Monbeg Dude
Michael Scudamore doesn't have a lot of horses but he does have a more than live National hope here with Monbeg Dude. He burst onto the scene in 2012 with a battling win at Cheltenham before going on to beat Teaforthree in the Welsh National under a brilliant Paul Carberry ride. Last season a soft ground Cheltenham enticed connections into a crack at the Gold Cup but that plan never really came to fruition as he was pulled up. However this season it has been all systems go for the National and he had a perfect prep run at Doncaster in the Grimthorpe Chase when a staying on fifth. Stamina is clearly no issue for him however he is prone to the odd jumping error and for that reason he can be opposed here. Rating - 7/10

Big Shu
Big Shu is the second horse in today's race to be considered a Cross Country specialist as he wont the Cheltenham Cross Country race last season, before going on to win the La Touche at Punchestown. In his last three outings, Big Shu has carried 11-9, 12-0 and 12-3 which when put against today's weight of 10-8 are huge asks. Stamina is at a premium here and his jumping should hold up over these fences and if all things go well he shouldn't be far away for Peter Buchanan. Rating - 7/10

Burton Port
Once top class and now with Jonjo O'Neill who won the race with Don't Push It back in 2010, however injuries have limited his career to date. He showed that he still has plenty of his old sparkle when jumping for fun at Newbury last time out before getting tired late on, there were excuses that day however. Brian Harding takes the ride on him today which is no negative but both of Jonjo's jockeys ride other horses in the race. A return to his best form would see him close but he is a big fragile these days and for win purposes we look elsewhere. Rating - 5/10

Our Father
Came into this season with a lofty reputation after a good Novice season and was sent off the 11/2 favourite in the Hennessy, but could do no better than seventh. Since then he has come a distant fifth in a National Trial at Haydock and a once more distant ninth at Cheltenham, but all roads this season have pointed towards here. The blinkers stay on today and Denis O'Regan has gone close in Nationals before on Black Apalachi while David Pipe wont this with Comply Or Die in 2008. Would be no surprise to see him go well for a while but in all seriousness he shouldn't be good enough here and others are preferred. Rating - 4/10

Mountainous
Won this season's Welsh National in tenacious style and clearly has no stamina worries to deal with but the ground is a worry. Mountainous is better on softer ground which he wont be getting today, saying that he has ran well on better ground before but came up short. He runs off a 13 pound higher mark than he did for his Welsh National victory today and looks up against it but will be staying on when others have cried enough. Rating - 4/10

The Rainbow Hunter
Landed a victory in the Skybet Chase at Doncaster which is seen as a trial for this race in good style beating Baile Anrai by a length and a half. There is no owner more excited about the race this year than Racing UK presenter Oli Bell as he owns a share in this challenger, so we wont be too harsh... Will we? He came here as an unfancied 50/1 shot last season and was jumping well before unseating Aidan Coleman at the Canal Turn through no fault of his own. If he can avoid trouble throughout the race then he wont be far away and is a very exciting addition to the field, with Aidan Coleman taking over from Nick Scholfield who prefers Teaforthree. Let's not forget that last season he was second in the race... Albeit without his jockey. Rating - 7/10

Vintage Star
Sue Smith won this race last year with Aurora's Encore and excels with staying chasers but Vintage Star is shunned by Ryan Mania who prefers Mr Moonshine. Brian Hughes takes over in the saddle today and he if he gets round he shouldn't be a million miles away but his jumping let him down last time at Cheltenham. Prior to that he was second in a gruelling Peter Marsh chase after a good sixth in the Welsh National behind Mountainous at Chepstow. Place chances at best but in all seriousness he should be found wanting in this race. Rating - 4/10

Chance Du Roy
Chance Du Roy will be given a chance by many after he won the Becher Chase in December over three miles and two furlongs. He has disappointed since when a dismal show at Haydock saw him pulled up early but he showed a slight return to form when fourth at Ascot last time out. That effort came with cheek pieces on first time and they stay on today but he will need to improve considerably to trouble the protagonists today. Rating - 5/10

Hawkes Point
Paul Nicholls' representative was given a favourable mention on our Cheltenham preview when joined by Nick Scholfield. He was beaten a head in this year's Welsh National but remains a lightly raced horse and may have a bit more improvement in him. The ground accounted for him last time at Haydock although he did manage a distant sixth, but better ground will suit him better today. Providing he can take to these fences he is one of the more lively outsiders with Ryan Mahon on board who has excelled in big races this season. Rating - 7/10

Kruzhlinin 
The McCain family are synonymous with this race with the likes of Red Rum, Amberleigh House and Ballabriggs, but Kruzhlinin is unlikely to add to those names. He is better on good ground and Stamina isn't much of a worry, but he should be nowhere near the class of these today and is easily opposed. Rating - 2/10

Pineau De Re
Dr Richard Newland has an interesting one here with Pineau De Re who ran the most eyecatching race at Cheltenham when flying home late for third in the Pertemps. Before that he won a veterans chase in nice style but must run off a ten pound higher mark today which will make like tougher for him. His only visit to the National fences saw him come down at the eighth in the Becher Chase late last year under Brian Hughes. Lleighton Aspell takes the ride today and if he were to get round he will take a lot of beating with stamina a given. Rating - 8/10

Golan Way
A bit of a surprise they elected to turn up here but he did win a decent Hunter Chase last time out and his best form would hand him a small chance. Saying that he hasn't been at his best for years now and the easy lead that he craves wont be so easy here, for that he is easily overlooked. Rating - 1/10

Twirling Magnet
Jonjo O'Neill knows what it takes to win this race but Twirling Magnet looks up against it this afternoon after regressing since his Cheltenham win in October. He travelled well for a long way at the Festival but weakened and unseated his rider two out when beaten, so he will need more here. Richie McLernon takes the ride who was second by a nose hair on Sunnyhillboy back in 2012, but it would be a surprise if he got close this year. Rating - 2/10

Vesper Bell
Looked to be going the right way when an unlucky seventh in last year's Kim Muir at Cheltenham before a good staying performance to come second in Ireland. That was behind Goonyella who just missed out on the race this year and Vesper Bell has since disappointed in a big way, more importantly when falling at the first over these fences earlier this season. If he jumps round and returns to his best form he could be given a chance, but that is a very big if. Rating 4/10

The Package
David Pipe must be blaming The Package for his lack of hair as he has built up this trait of running well at Cheltenham then getting a small injury before the National. But this year he has made it to the race and although his only visit to these fences resulted in him unseating Graham Lee. He was a promising third behind Holywell at Cheltenham however and his stamina is clearly no issue, but he is 11 years old now and this will likely be his last chance at a National. Not discounted but he will need to improve on his recent form for win purposes. Rating - 7/10

Raz De Maree
This race has long been the aim for Raz De Maree for Dessie Hughes but he hasn't won since 2012 when winning the Cork National. He did however run a nice prep race at Down Royal behind Yes Tom, but he was outsider of the field that day and will need to improve significantly. From eight pounds higher in the handicap than his last win he could go close if a first time visor perks him up, but his price reflects his chances. Rating - 5/10

Rose Of The Moon
Dave O'Meara saddles an interesting one here in Rose Of The Moon although his one run over these fences wouldn't fill you with confidence when 10th in the Becher. He won a good race at Wetherby last time out however and has Cheek Pieces fitted for the first time today to get some more improvement. But on all known form he shouldn't be good enough here. Rating - 2/10

Shakalakaboomboom
If there were prizes given out for the best name in the race then Shakalakaboomboom would be an odds on favourite, but he isn't that on ability. He had his problems after coming ninth in the race in 2012 when running well for a long way, but he didn't stay on that occasion and that is again the worry today. Rating - 4/10

Alvarado
These silks are one of the most successful colours in the history of the race despite not winning, it seems every year they are in the placings. But Alvarado is their new horse to go to war with after winning impressively at Cheltenham two runs ago when staying very well. He was disappointing at Cheltenham on New Year's Day but that is easily forgiven as the conditions were near monsoon like. He will need to improve but it wouldn't be beyond him and gets in off a fly weight of 10-2. Rating - 5/10

Last Time D'albain
The last Irish raider in the field now with Last Time D'albain who has been disappointing since a good third over these fences in last year's Topham. The handicapper has been kind and he is only two pounds higher than his last visit here but on recent form its hard to give him too much of a chance. Rating - 3/10

One In A Milan
Evan Williams has a good record here with the likes of State Of Play and Cappa Bleu who was second last year, but its a big ask for him to improve on that here. Stamina is clearly no worry after a fourth in the Welsh National, but he had no weight that day and on bottomless ground it was the key. Promising young jockey Adam Wedge takes the ride but its difficult to see One In A Milan being good enough today. Rating - 3/10

Swing Bill
We come to the final horse for this year's Grand National and we started with a 13 year old so we shall also end with one. Swing Bill got into the race in controversial style through a random ballot but has a good record round these fences on more than one occasion. Last year saw him run a good sixth and from a four pound lower mark is no lost cause albeit this will be his last chance to win a National. Not completely dismissed and his price tag could be too big for a horse proven round the course, but others are preferred. Rating 5/10

1st - Prince De Beauchene
2nd - Teaforthree
3rd - The Rainbow Hunter
4th - The Package

Prince De Beauchene represents a top yard from Ireland and has been unlucky when not making the race in past years but is here this season off a good mark. There are stamina doubts regarding him but as long as his jumping holds up there shouldn't be too many problems regarding stamina. One horse who has jumping assured is Teaforthree who was third in this last year and may improve on that with less assertive tactics. The Rainbow Hunter came down here last season but that was through no fault of his own and is one that could be a bit overpriced after winning the Skybet. The best of the David Pipe lot could well be The Package who like the selection has missed Nationals through injuries before, but his jumping is his asset. Others that could get involved include Balthazar King who has won his last four and loved the fences here last year and Pineau De Re wont be far away if jumping well. Hawkes Point is stamina laden and the fences should provide no problem for him but he may be better next year as he remains inexperienced. AP McCoy rides Double Seven who is a clear stayer and is sure to be popular in the market, whereas Monbeg Dude will be stalking at the back of the field with Tidal Bay. 

Good Luck everybody and as always, Happy Punting!