1. I Am Maximus 7/1
Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend
Won this in 2024 and ran at least as well as that when runner-up last year. Finishing second in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas shows that he’s as good as ever, so folly to ignore.
3. Banbridge 33/1
Joseph O’Brien/ J J Slevin
Excellent third in the King George at Kempton and merits his big weight, but a sharp three miles looks his limit, and a slog will be against him, as would any rain.
4. Grangeclare West 17/2
Willie Mullins/ Patrick Mullins
Improved on disappointing 2023/2024 season when third to Nick Rockett 12 months ago. Beat Gerri Colombe in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time, but more needed to defy career-high mark.
5. Gerri Colombe 22/1
Gordon Elliott/ Jack Kennedy
Returned from lengthy absence at Christmas, and back to form when close second in Bobbyjo Chase before winning a weaker affair at Down Royal. Track will suit and one to bear in mind.
6. Haiti Couleurs 16/1
Rebecca Curtis/ Sean Bowen
Has won the Irish and the Welsh Grand National in the last year, and credentials are solid; cut out rather tamely in the Gold Cup last month, however, and must bounce back.
8. Firefox 50/1
Gordon Elliott/ Keith Donoghue
High-class chaser at around two and a half miles, and good fourth trying three miles in Irish Gold Cup, but three and a quarter miles stretched him at Cheltenham last month and stamina worry remains.
9. Monty’s Star 14/1
Henry de Bromhead/ Darragh O’Keeffe
Rarely wins but has run with credit in Grade 1 company in recent seasons. Sound jumping is a big positive if he can find reserves of stamina required.
10. Spanish Harlem 33/1
Willie Mullins/ Brian Hayes
Kerry National winner unlucky not to land Thyestes when unseating at the last fence. Good ground suits this front-runner but he’s flopped when unable to dominate.
11. Lecky Watson 33/1
Willie Mullins/ Sean O’Keeffe
Broadway Chase winner at Cheltenham last March; this season has been a catalogue of disasters, though, and slim hopes rest on return to a sounder surface.
12. Champ Kiely 25/1
Willie Mullins/ Danny Mullins
Grade 1 novice winner over three miles and a furlong last spring, but most of his form is over shorter and while he jumps boldly, it’s hard to see him staying the trip.
13. Iroko 14/1
Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero/ Jonjo O’Neill Jr
Sent off favourite when a fine fourth in last year’s renewal and laid out for a repeat. Jumped poorly at Cheltenham last time - his first start since December - but entitled to be much sharper for that.
14. Favori De Champdou 33/1
Gordon Elliott/ Danny Gilligan
Won a competitive three-mile handicap at Leopardstown at Christmas and has run well in cross-country races since, but vulnerable from high handicap mark outside of that discipline.
15. Three Card Brag 50/1
Gordon Elliott/ Jordan Gainford
Jumped well but too keen to last home in this race last year; good second in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, and should be fitter for a spin in the Bobbyjo last time.
16. Oscars Brother 16/1
Connor King/ Daniel King
Classy novice who plugged on willingly behind Kitzbuhel in Broadway Chase at Cheltenham last time. Promises to stay but lacks experience with only six previous chase starts.
17. Mr Vango 66/1
Sara Bradstock/ Jack Tudor
No stamina concerns for this Midlands National winner, but the likeable plodder has not fired since second in the Becher Chase here in December.
18. High Class Hero 50/1
Willie Mullins/ James Bowen
Looked a likely type for this with third over three miles and five furlongs at Sandown last April. Ran well on return, but two poor runs in the mud since raise serious concerns.
19. Stellar Story 25/1
Gordon Elliott/Robbie Dunne
Hasn’t won since chase debut but ran well on balance when third to Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse and will be suited by the step up in trip.
20. Beauport 100/1
Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies/ Sam Twiston-Davies
Shaped well before tiring badly in this 12 months ago, and stays well on his day, but the 10-year-old has looked on the downgrade this season.
21. Captain Cody 16/1
Willie Mullins/ Jonathan Burke
Won last year’s Scottish Grand National over four miles and one furlong. Disappointed in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last time (beaten 33 lengths), however, and held by a few on that run.
22. Jagwar 10/1
Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero/ Mark Walsh
Leading novice over two and a half miles last term and relished step up to three miles and one furlong when second in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time. Unexposed as a stayer and one to take seriously.
23. Perceval Legallois 33/1
Gavin Cromwell/ Harry Cobden
Fell at Valentines on first circuit when well fancied for last year’s race. Below form in two starts this season, but trip too short last time and caught eye with late headway. Not dismissed.
24. Gorgeous Tom 20/1
Henry de Bromhead/ Sean Flanagan
Ran well on first two starts this season, faring best of those held up in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. A sound jumper, he will be better for the run at Leopardstown last month behind O’Toole.
25. The Real Whacker 66/1
Pat Neville/ Gavin Sheehan
Bold jumper has been lightly raced over fences in recent seasons. Well held in Grade 2 over hurdles last time but type to take to this test and not without hope.
26. Quai De Bourbon 25/1
Willie Mullins/ Donagh Meyler
Third in Irish Grand National last spring and back to form when third to O’Toole at Leopardstown last month. Fairly handicapped if he can build on that.
27. Answer To Kayf 66/1
Terence O’Brien/ John Shinnick
This Troytown Chase winner wasn’t disgraced when fourth in Bobbyjo Chase last time, but needs to cut out mistakes if he’s to be competitive.
28. Jordans 33/1
Joseph O’Brien/ Ben Jones
Second in a Grade 1 novice chase at this meeting a year ago but hasn’t fired in four starts this term. On a fair mark if bouncing back, but is clearly a risky proposition.
29. Final Orders 22/1
Gavin Cromwell/ Conor Stone-Walsh
Fell on his previous run over these fences but now a classy cross-country performer, winning at Cheltenham last month from Favori De Champdou. One to bear in mind.
30. Marble Sands 50/1
David Killahena & Graeme McPherson/ Kielan Woods
Veteran won over three miles and three furlongs at Cheltenham in November but has not been seen since running at Wetherby on Boxing Day and that lack of a recent run is a negative.
31. Panic Attack 15/2
Dan Skelton/ Harry Skelton
The mare has blossomed this term, winning big handicaps at Cheltenham and Newbury and ran well at the former track last month. No mare has won since Nickel Coin in 1951, however.
32. Top Of The Bill 50/1
Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies/ Toby McCain-Mitchell
Won at Haydock in November and matched that when second in Grand National Trial there last time. Stays well but needs to improve again to figure.
33. Johnnywho 12/1
Jonjo & A J O’Neill/ Richie McLernon
Jumped well around here in November and improved to win the Ultima at Cheltenham last month from Jagwar - his first start since undergoing wind surgery. Promises to stay and handicapped to go close.
34. Twig 33/1
Ben Pauling/ Beau Morgan
Won on his seasonal return before landing the Becher Chase here in December and had a pipe-opener over hurdles last month. Likeable 11-year-old, but could be run off his feet by classier rivals.
36. Imperial Saint 40/1
Philip Hobbs & Johnson White/ Callum Pritchard
Course winner who landed the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on his penultimate start in January and had excuses at Cheltenham last time. Can hang under pressure, but still fairly treated.
37. Amirite 80/1
Henry de Bromhead/ Philip Enright
Won the Midlands National at Kilbeggan in July but his form has since has been very patchy. Jumped these fences well in the 2025 Topham Chase but appears outclassed on balance.
SELECTIONS
1. Gerri Colombe
2. Jagwar
3. Stellar Story
4. Johnnywho