THE release of the Grand National weights took centre stage on Tuesday. For all the increased attention, the framing of the weights and claims that it is now just another long distance chase, finding the winner is more difficult than ever.

The last three winners were sent off at 33/1, 66/1 and 25/1 and came from such different profiles as a classy former Gold Cup third near the top of the weights, an unconsidered 11-year-old, close to the bottom of the weights, and a horse who had finished third in a three mile Cheltenham Festival handicap hurdle.