hampered 1st, mid-division, hampered and unseated rider 8th (canal turn)
with leader until fell 9th (valentines)
mistake 1st, mid-division, mistake 9th (valentines), chased leaders 3 out to next, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, struggling and pulled up before 22nd (2nd bechers)
tracked leaders, led 18th to 24th (2nd canal turn), with leader, led again 3 out, headed next, ridden and no impression in 4th after last, one pace flat, lost 4th towards finish
mid-division, behind when blundered 16th (water), tailed off when pulled up before 21st
in touch went 2nd at 11th, left in lead after 16th (water), headed 18th, lost place 22nd (2nd bechers), tailed off when pulled up before 25th (2nd valentines)
mid-division, hampered 2nd, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, dismounted
hampered 1st, soon in touch, hampered 9th (valentines), driven 3 out, chased winner last, ridden and hard pressed for 2nd approaching elbow, kept on, no impression
prominent, hampered 9th (valentines), lost place when hit 17th, soon behind, tailed off when fell 3 out
in touch, joined leader 20th, led 24th (2nd canal turn), headed 3 out, soon weakened
in touch on inside when blundered and unseated rider 15th (chair)
led until carried out by loose horse after 16th (water), continued in rear but no chance after
in touch, blundered 5th, mistake 10th, switched towards outside 17th, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, stayed on to press for 2nd approaching elbow, no impression with winner
refused to race
behind, headway into mid-division 20th, hit 23rd (2nd foinavon), weakened 2 out
towards rear, headway into mid-division 22nd (2nd bechers), weakened 25th (2nd valentines), behind when pulled up before 4 out
in touch on inside, driven and outpaced after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 24th (2nd canal turn), chased leaders 4 out, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, never on terms
towards rear, hampered 2nd, fell next
in touch on inside when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
mid-division when unseated rider soon after 8th (canal turn)
tracked leaders, fell 9th (valentines)
mid-division when hampered and unseated rider 8th (canal turn)
mid-division, reminder and lost place after 12th, in touch 18th, mistake and lost place 23 (2nd foinavon), tailed off when pulled up before 26th
towards rear, hampered 9th (valentines), headway into mid-division 23rd (2nd foinavon), chased leaders 26th, one pace in 5th last, no impression
always behind, struggling 23rd (2nd foinavon), tailed off
behind, blundered 25th, soon struggling, never near leaders
mid-division, blundered 13th, in touch 12th, mistake 17th, went 2nd 3 out, soon challenged, led next, ridden clear approaching elbow, stayed on well
slowly away, behind, headway into mid-division when fell 8th (canal turn)
in touch, fell 1st
behind, hampered and mistake 6th (bechers), headway and in touch 22nd (2nd bechers), blundered 25th (2nd valentines), weakened after 3 out
prominent, driven and outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
in touch on inside, dropped to mid-division 12th, behind 16th, 16th before last, stayed on through beaten horses flat, never nearer
tracked leaders, lost place 24th (2nd bechers), under pressure when fell 26th
mid-division on inside, blundered and dropped towards rear 6th (bechers), struggling 17th, pulled up before 20th
held up behind, headway into mid-division 18th, driven after 3 out, 9th approaching last, ridden and stayed on under pressure flat, went 4th towards finish, never reached leaders
behind, mistake and unseated rider 6th (bechers)
mid-divisison, hampered 13th, in touch when mistake 19th, fell 22nd (2nd bechers)
mid-division, chased leaders under pressure 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never on terms
Monbeg Dude is a dour stayer but might have preferred softer ground and his jumping is a concern over these fences. Last year's third Teaforthree must have a decent chance again, however, as he's 2lb lower and has been trained with this race in mind. Tidal Bay has been a terrific servant to connections but it's asking an awful lot of a 13-year-old to win a Grand National under top weight and the Nicholls' team also run the less-exposed Rocky Creek. Long Run may also struggle under a welter burden while Triolo D'Alene is only a seven-year-old and they have a shocking record in this marathon. Hunt Ball and Walkon are doubtful stayers but Lion Na Bearnai is a former Irish National winner and another raider from across the Irish Sea, Quito De La Roque, has been the subject of favourable reports. They may represent better value than A P McCoy's choice Double Seven. Burton Port is a classy sort on a decent mark and could run a big race while Chance Du Roy won the Becher Chase over the National fences in December. Mr Moonshine represents last year's winning trainer and jockey while cross-country specialists Balthazar King and Big Shu should enjoy this test. Mountainous won the Welsh National earlier this season and The Package made a very encouraging comeback at Cheltenham and looks just the type for this. The Rainbow Hunter and Shakalakaboom should also give supporters a run for their money but we're going to take a chance on the lightly-weighted ALVARADO. Paul Moloney rides these fences as well as anyone and deserves a change of luck after several near-misses in the big race. His mount has never fallen and won over 3m4f at Cheltenham in November so has the right credentials and will be a working man's price.
Tidal Bay (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, 2nd briefly before 10th, ridden and dropped to rear 3 out, under pressure and no impression in 6th entering straight, kept on run-in to go moderate 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Last Instalment (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m Grade 1 chs (1) in Feb.
Long Run (FR) 2-5fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 13th, headed before 4 out, regained lead before 2 out, kept on well, driven out, won at Kelso 3m 2f chs (2) gs in Feb beating Knockara Beau (10-12) by 6l, 4 ran.
Hunt Ball (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, closed from 12th, pushed along after 3 out, 4th when hit 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 11, 7l behind Dynaste (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gd in Mar.
Triolo D'Alene (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Held up behind in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and one pce when not much room and hampered next, weakened last, 10th of 13, 31l behind Lord Windermere (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Rocky Creek (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, headway after 17th, challenged and every chance 2 out, kept on until ridden and no extra flat, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 7l behind The Giant Bolster (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Quito De La Roque (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, mistake on outer 7th, 4th at 12th, weakened to moderate 5th 5 out, soon trailing, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by On His Own (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) in Feb, 7 ran.
Colbert Station (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Mid-division, ridden along after 3 out, 8th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Pass The Hat (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Handicap Chase (Grade B) (5yo+) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
Walkon (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th until 9th, outpaced after 11th (4 out), no chance after, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Harry Topper (11-10) at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Balthazar King (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Always prominent, headway to lead 5 out, ridden and hard pressed approaching last, stayed on gamely flat, just held on, won at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar beating Any Currency (10-8) by shd, 16 ran.
Wayward Prince 25-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent and reminders 4th, not fluent 8th, behind from 11th, 7th of 12, well behind Night In Milan (10-12) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Mr Moonshine (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Pressed leader, led 10th, not fluent 4 out, headed next, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure, no impression before last, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Maggio (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f lst chs (1) gs in Mar.
Teaforthree (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Prominent, lost place 4 out, ridden and kept under pressure 2 out, weakened last, 8th of 13, 22l behind Lord Windermere (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Across The Bay (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) In rear, pushed along 6th, behind when blundered badly and unseated rider 5 out, in a race won by Rigadin De Beauchene (10-5) at Haydock 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.
Double Seven (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Mid-division, slight mistake 8th, ridden after 3 out, no impression before straight, 6th of 12, 18l behind Pass The Hat (9-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f Handicap Chase (Grade B) (5yo+) sft in Mar.
Battle Group 20-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, led and soon clear, reduced lead and joined 15th, headed before next, weakened rapidly, tailed off 4 out, pulled ap after next, in a race won by Houblon Des Obeaux (11-6) at Ascot 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Buckers Bridge (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up behind leaders, closer in 4th at 11th, 2nd briefly 4 out, ridden in 3rd next, moderate 3rd from 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 17l behind On His Own (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) in Feb.
Lion Na Bearnai (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 9th, ridden and dropped to 4th 4 out, soon no impression on leaders, moderate 4th before straight, 4th of 7, 50l behind On His Own (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) in Feb.
Prince De Beauchene (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Disputed early, led 3rd, disputed 4 out, headed and slight mistake next, ridden in 4th entering straight, no extra 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 10l behind Texas Jack (11-8) at Thurles 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Monbeg Dude (IRE) 5-1fav (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, pecked next, not fluent 9th (water), headway after next, 15 lengths 6th 4 out, never on terms and no futher progress from 3 out, 5th of 12, 27l behind Night In Milan (10-12) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Big Shu (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Towards rear, headway 5 out, tracked leaders next, ridden to challenge and every chance on inside approaching last, kept on same pace, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Balthazar King (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Burton Port (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, led approaching 3rd, went left and stumbled 14th, clear after next, reduced lead bypassing omitted 3 out, headed before last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Summery Justice (10-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-150 (2) hvy in Mar.
Our Father (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 9th, hampered 14th, not fluent 17th, pecked 4 out, 6th and one pace when blundered badly 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 23, 39l behind Spring Heeled (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) gd in Mar.
Mountainous (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 4th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 12, 41l behind Emperor's Choice (10-5) at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
The Rainbow Hunter 25-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, headway on outer before 8 out, went 2nd before 4 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, kept on well, driven out, won at Doncaster 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Jan beating Baile Anrai (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Vintage Star (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mistake 1st, behind, fell 5th, in a race won by Holywell (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Chance Du Roy (FR) 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, mistake 14th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 7, 8l behind Restless Harry (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp chs Listed (1) sft in Feb.
Hawkes Point 10-1 (11-6) Towards rear, plugged on from 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 14, 46l behind Rigadin De Beauchene (10-5) at Haydock 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb.
Kruzhlinin (GER) 2-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, went 3rd when mistake 4 out, went left 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression when went left again last, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Maggio (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f lst chs (1) gs in Mar.
Pineau De Re (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Behind, headway after 3 out, chased leaders and effort towards stands side between last 2, hit last, ridden and stayed on to press front pair towards finish, just held, 3rd of 23, 1/2l behind Fingal Bay (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m lstd hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Golan Way 5-6fav (11-7) Prominent, led when not fluent 2nd, clear 4th, mistake 9th, reduced lead after 13th, clear again from 3 out, easily, won at Warwick 3m 2f hts chs (6) gs in Mar beating Gunmoney (11-9) by 14l, 7 ran.
Twirling Magnet (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, about 4 lengths off lead when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Spring Heeled (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) gd in Mar, 23 ran.
Vesper Bell (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division, ridden and no impression 5 out, 9th of 18, 38l behind On His Own (11-6) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp chs in Jan.
The Package 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division on outside, headway under pressure 3 out, chased leading pair next, soon ridden, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 23, 9l behind Holywell (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Raz De Maree (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leader, mainly 3rd, 2nd 7 out, mistake 4 out, ridden before 3 out where dropped to 4th, no impression in 3rd 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 9l behind Yes Tom (11-0) at Down Royal 3m 2f chs in Mar.
Rose Of The Moon (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up in touch on outside, joined leaders 11th, hit next, led narrowly 13th, driven clear 2 out, kept on, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Real Milan (11-11) by 9l, 7 ran.
Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Prominent, lost place 4 out, behind from next, tailed off, 17th of 23, well behind Holywell (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Mar.
Alvarado (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, struggling 10th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Mendip Express (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Last Time D'albain (FR) 16-1 (10-8) Towards rear, pushed along entering straight and no impression in 9th 2 out, no extra, 9th of 15, 45l behind Sort It Out (10-7) at Gowran Park 2m 4f hcp hdl hvy in Mar.
One In A Milan (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Prominent, lost place after 7th, no impression before 3 out, 5th of 8, 22l behind Minella On Line (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Mar.
Swing Bill (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Slowly away, in rear, some headway on outside 9th, never got much closer and outpaced and no impression from 16th, 11th of 23, 46l behind Spring Heeled (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) gd in Mar.
