mid-division, weakened 5 out
hampered and unseated rider 1st
mid-division, driven along 18th, soon weakened, pulled up 21st
mid-division, headway 18th, led 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, headed last, rallied flat, held near finish
mistakes, prominent, weakened approaching 4 out
soon struggling towards rear, pulled up before 15th
tracked leaders, mistake 15th, led 21st, headed 5 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, weakened approaching 18th, pulled up before 21st
mid-division headway 19th, weakened 21st
in touch, weakened approaching 19th
always towards rear, pulled up 20th
with leaders, led 15th, headed 20th, weakened 5 out
led to 5th, led again 20th, headed next, mistakes 22nd and 23rd, weakened approaching 4 out
always towards rear, pulled up before 20th
towards rear, effort 5 out, no impression
mid-division, blundered 2nd, mistake 7th, headway 18th, shaken up to lead last, headed post
always in rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 15th, quickly weakened approaching 19th
held up in rear, good headway to go prominent approaching 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on to lead post
fell 1st
in touch, weakened 18th, pulled up before 20th
mid-division, lost place when blundered and unseated rider 17th
chased leaders, reminders 18th, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up, struggling from 18th, pulled up 20th
mid-division, ridden 15th, weakened 18th, pulled up before 21st
mid-division, weakened 18th
towards rear, effort 20th, soon beaten
always behind
Idle Talk, Royal Auclair and All In The Stars are all on the short list and Idle Talk is given the nod. Tom George has made no secret about the regard in which he holds Idle Talk and he has publicly suggested that he could be up to winning the Grand National in time. A lightly raced type, he ran well at Cheltenham when failing to give weight away to Star du Mohaison (won since) in the Royal & SunAlliance. A solid jumper with a good cruising speed, he has all the attributes necessary to win a prize of this nature. Royal Auclair needs no introduction. His National at Aintree finished at the first fence but he is much better than that and Liam Heard is back in the saddle. The partnership beat All In The Stars at Cheltenham although it could be much closer this time around. Paul Keane has aimed the eight-year-old at this race throughout the season and he could not have been more impressive at Wincanton on his most recent outing. Darkness runs here in preference to an engagement in the earlier chase against Monet's Garden. This is a bold move by connections. Juveigneur was another flop in the National. Trevor Hemmings has a good record with his runners at Ayr and he should not be dismissed too readily. The Bajan Bandit has been called a few names in the past and while Lenny Lungo's charge is somewhat difficult to catch right - he certainly knows how to win at Ayr. Ladalko is another frustrating type but he was on his best behaviour when finishing fourth in the Racing Post Trophy. Ruby Walsh takes the mount and if he can get Ladalko to consent to put his best foot forward, he has to be a player. Nil Desperandum will be a last jumps runner for Frances Crowley. Fourth in the National, there are no question marks about stamina this afternoon. Halcon Genelardais is an eyecatching runner. He made a fairly quiet entry onto the scene and could be of interest if the market speaks in his favour. Mon Mome scrapped into the line up after a victory at the Aintree festival and has maintained his form throughout the campaign. Korelo has cheekpieces on for the first time. Timmy Murphy may put up overweight so backers are advised to proceed with caution. Double Honour is a character in all senses of the word and can be expected to bowl along up front. Take The Stand has few ground concerns and Barry Geraghty booked. Idle Talk secures the selection.
Royal Auclair (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Fell 1st in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 40 ran.
Take The Stand (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) In touch, blundered 9th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, blundered and headed last, not recover, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Celestial Gold (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd.
Darkness 11-2 (11-4) Mistakes, held up towards rear, hampered 3rd, stayed on after 2 out, went third closing stages, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 15, 17l behind Star De Mohaison (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Royal Emperor (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 11th, blundered 4 out, behind when fell 2 out fell 2 out in race won by Celestial Gold (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gd, 9 ran.
Halcon Genelardais (FR) 11-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along to hold place approaching 12th, hard ridden approaching 3 out, led soon after last, all out, won at Exeter 3m 1f nov chs (3) sft in Feb beating Basilea Star (11-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
The Bajan Bandit (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Soon in touch, ridden 17th, weakening when jumped left 19th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by G V A Ireland (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar, 18 ran.
Idle Talk (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Led, jumped right 1st, headed 4 out, ridden and lost second approaching 3 out, left chasing winner 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Star De Mohaison (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Juveigneur (FR) 25-1 (10-9) Fell 1st in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 40 ran.
Zabenz (NZ) 14-1 (11-2) Prominent, pushed along after 15th, soon weakened, 4th of 15, 17l behind Star De Mohaison (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd.
Calling Brave (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up, jumped slowly 5th, well behind 10th, no danger after, 7th of 11, 31l behind Fondmort (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs Grd 2 (1) gd in Mar.
All In The Stars (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up and behind, ridden from 15th, headway 17th, kept on well to keep 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) sft in Feb beating Celtic Son (11-10) by 7l, 9 ran.
Double Honour (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, weakened from 16th, 7th of 14, well behind Ossmoses (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.
L'Aventure (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place 17th, rallied 19th, one pace from 4 out, 3rd of 18, 18l behind G V A Ireland (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar.
Baron Windrush 66-1 (10-7) Blundered and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 40 ran.
Philson Run (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by G V A Ireland (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) hvy in Mar, 18 ran.
Ladalko (FR) 11-2fav (10-7) In touch, pushed along from 17th, kept on under pressure from 3 out, 4th of 15, 4l behind Innox (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Nil Desperandum (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-divsion, headway after 11th, went 4th 2 out, chased leading pair approaching elbow, no extra near finish, 4th of 40, 7l behind Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Ebony Light (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until fell at the 5th in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 40 ran.
Run For Paddy 11-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 13th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden flat, not quicken, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Moorlands Again (10-5) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Truckers Tavern (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division and mistakes, reminders after 10th, weakened from 16th, 6th of 14, well behind Ossmoses (10-0) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Feb.
Shotgun Willy (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Led to 9th (Valentines) remained chasing leader until after 13th, weakened approaching 17th and pulled up at the 18th in race won by Numbersixvalverde (10-8) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs, 40 ran.
Mon Mome (FR) 15-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 10th, ridden 2 out, driven out, won at Aintree 2m 4f amt nov hcp chs (2) gs beating New Alco (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Model Son (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (10-8) Held up, headway 9th, mistake 13th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 18, 23l behind State of Play (10-2) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd.
Another Rum (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Prominent, lost place 2nd, jumped slowly 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by You're Special (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Mar, 21 ran.
Kerry Lads (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Led to 5th, stayed 6th, led again 8th, headed 11th, led again after 5 out, held on well, all out, won at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar beating Wildfield Rufo (9-13) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Korelo (FR) 15-2 (10-12) In touch, lost place 4th, soon behind, mistake 12th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Dun Doire (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar, 21 ran.
Lord Atterbury (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Prominent, chased leader 2nd, led briefly 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 12l behind Smart Mover (11-3) at Newbury 3m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Mar.
King Killone (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) Held up in touch, effort approaching 4 out, ridden next, stayed on well from last, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Kerry Lads (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar.
Polar Red 33-1 (10-4) Behind, hampered 3rd (The Chair), tailed off when hamepered 10th (Becher's), stayed on from 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 29, 21l behind Liberthine (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd.
Robbo 12-1 (11-2) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, soon outpaced, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Rosie Redman (11-9) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Hot Weld 33-1 (11-11) Led, narrowly headed 4 out, ridden to regain lead 3 out, driven and hard pressed flat, held on gamely near finish, all out, won at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (2) gd in Mar beating Beantown (11-7) by a nk, 22 ran.
Present Bleu (FR) 66-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, weakened 13th, tailed off 4 out, 9th of 10, well behind Sonevafushi (12-5) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
