Synchronised - Reigning Gold Cup hero, bidding to become first horse since the legendary Golden Miller in 1934 to win the Gold Cup & Grand National in the same season. This year’s Gold Cup looked a weak renewal though and being champion probably flatters him slightly. Has won Welsh & Midlands National’s previously though and has stamina in abundance, but even though he likes the mud, will find it tough going under top weight and his jumping can be suspect.
Ballabriggs – Last year’s winner also bidding to try and equal a long-standing record by recording back to back victories in the race. The last horse to do that was Red Rum in the seventies, who was trained by the legendary Ginger McCain, Ballabriggs is trained by Ginger’s son Donald so it wouldn’t be a total shock if he pulled it off but he’s got more weight this year and although he had an adequate prep run at Kelso and there’s no questioning his stamina it looks a big ask this time around. Definite place claims based on recent trends though.
Weird Al – Talented but fragile winner of this year’s Charlie Hall Chase also an inmate of Donald McCain. Impressive novice chase campaign saw him go unbeaten but lost his way after that, switching yards after pulling up in 2011 Gold Cup in which he reportedly burst a blood vessel. Had looked good this season until pulled up in Gold Cup again and there has to be question marks over whether the National will be his race or not.
Neptune Collonges – Very good horse on his day and champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ only hope this season for breaking his Grand National duck. Third and fourth in recent Gold Cups and a winner at Grade 1 level; out of the winner’s enclosure since January last year though. Surprisingly, still only eleven but Ruby Walsh’s snub looks telling.