1. The Last Samuri

Second in this last year, and an excellent third in the Becher Chase here in December. No match for Definitly Red at Doncaster, but no shame in that, and deserves his big weight.

2. More Of That

Former Stayers’ Hurdle winner, and running well when unseating in Irish Gold Cup in February. Not disgraced in Cheltenham version since, and claims if well-documented fragility doesn’t catch him out.

3. Shantou Flyer

Ex-Colin Bowe, and made winning debut for new yard at Cheltenham in January. Second to Cue Card at Ascot since, but last seven-year-old to win this was Bogskar back in 1940.

4. Perfect Candidate

Fine jumper who gained latest win against veterans at Exeter in February, but handicapper took account of that when framing weights, and others better treated now.

5. Saphir Du Rheu

Has taken time to fulfil immense promise over fences, but excellent fifth in Gold Cup last time. Jumping tends to cause him problems in big fields, however, so risky.

6. Roi Des Francs

Blinkered first time when scoring in five-runner contest last month, but essentially disappointing since hurdling days.

7. Wounded Warrior

Second to Don Cossack at Thurles last term, but lost his way since, including in headgear. Big leap of faith required now.

8. Wonderful Charm

Caught the eye with strong finish in Cheltenham Foxhunter last month, but faces a much tougher task back in handicaps, and ran poorly in this last year.

9. Tenor Nivernais

Ran away with handicap at Ascot in February, and strong case can be made on that form, but possibly best when dominating small fields, and big ask in this stampede.

10. Blaklion

Former RSA Chase winner who isn’t the biggest, but jumps, stays and has plenty of heart. Latest second to Vieux Lion Rouge at Haydock a decent trial, and shortlisted, for all his stamina has been questioned.

11. Drop Out Joe

Likeable front-runner who was better than ever when winning valuable pot at Uttoxeter in June, but high in weights now, and absence since not ideal.

12. Le Mercurey

Seven-year-old hoping to break a 77-year hoodoo for that age group. Seconds to Many Clouds and Native River this term read well, but lacks big-field handicap form.

13. The Young Master

Winner of Bet365 Gold Cup last year, but not so good since, and fell in Becher Chase in December. Better signs when staying-on sixth at Cheltenham last month, though, and chances if ground dries further.

14. Cause Of Causes

Saves his best for the big occasion, winning three different races at the Cheltenham festival, latest in Cross Country last month. Excuses when well held in 2015 National, and folly to ignore.

15. Regal Encore

Has talent, but shy about showing it, and record of non-completion is worrying. Doesn’t appeal as the sort who will take to this unique test.

16. Vieux Lion Rouge

Ran well until outstayed as a seven-year-old last year, and looks a stronger and better horse this time, winning Becher Chase and National Trial at Haydock. Must be high on any shortlist.

17. Definitly Red

Tenacious stayer who beat The Last Samuri at Doncaster in March, and looks well weighted on that. Jumping isn’t without blemish, but one of the likelier types on paper.

18. Ucello Conti

Solid efforts when sixth in this race last year and fourth to Vieux Lion Rouge in the Becher. Reliable sort should be thereabouts again, albeit vulnerable to less exposed rivals.

19. Double Shuffle

Has improved for a hood and step up to three miles of late, and possible he’ll stay further, but only a seven-year-old, and this race may come a year too soon.

20. Houblon Des Obeaux

High-class stayer at his peak, but hard to win with these days, and latest fourth in Midlands National came from a 5lb lower handicap mark.

21. Pleasant Company

Lightly-raced chaser who was better than ever when winning Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last month. Clearly capable of better, but does he have the experience after only six chase starts?

22. One For Arthur

Improved this season, following fine fifth in Becher with win in Warwick’s Classic Chase in January. Lack of a run since a small worry, and needs luck with usual hold-up tactics.

23. Ballynagour

Went well before unseating in this last year, but has been pulled-up in all three starts at Cheltenham this season, which begs a question as to whether old ability remains.

24. O’Faolains Boy

Hard to keep right since winning 2014 RSA Chase at Cheltenham, and well-beaten both starts since belated return. Has had a wind operation since, but plenty to prove.

25. Highland Lodge

Becher Chase winner in 2015, and collared close home in latest renewal. Sound jumper, but much higher in weights now, and absence since December is at best a mixed blessing.

26. Bishops Road

Won Haydock’s Grand National Trial last season, but unseated at first in Topham here. Not fired on all cylinders this winter, and would prefer soft ground.

27. Lord Windermere

CV includes RSA Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup, but ran poorly in 2015 National. Encouraging effort back from an absence in November, but not so good in two runs since.

28. Saint Are

Second in 2015 National, although well held last year and a faller in Becher Chase in December. Good effort last time, but debatable whether fitting of blinkers will be a benefit.

29. Vicente

Only a seven-year-old when taking last season’s Scottish National, but back in his shell since. Age on his side, and tends to blossom in the spring, but some questions to answer now.

30. Just A Par

Thorough stayer who won Bet365 Gold Cup in 2015, and back on scoresheet at Newbury last time, but hint of a fluke about that, and both runs over these fences have been poor.

31. Measureofmydreams

Fine third behind Minella Rocco and Native River in last year’s National Hunt Chase; still lightly-raced, but yet to progress as that pair have, and again jumped sketchily at Cheltenham last time.

32. Raz De Maree

Stays forever, and excellent second to Native River in Welsh National in December, but struggled with the pace when eighth in this in 2014, and isn’t getting any quicker at the age of 12.

33. Stellar Notion

Fine jumper who likes to bowl along, but hasn’t convinced with his stamina for this sort of trip, and his style of racing won’t help him conserve his energy.

34. Rogue Angel

2016 Irish Grand National winner who struggled in the autumn when his yard was out of form, but much better signs when fifth in the Thyestes in January when last seen, and not taken lightly.

35. Cocktails At Dawn

Bold jumper when on song, but prone to the odd blunder, and has fallen twice in last five outings, including in last year’s Topham. Doubtful stayer if he does stand up.

36. Thunder And Roses

Beat Rule The World in 2015 Irish National, and good second to Pleasant Company in Bobbyjo Chase on penultimate start. Claims if ignoring lesser run in Leinster National since.

37. Gas Line Boy

Fell at the first in 2015, but reliable at his level, and creditable fourth in Haydock National Trial on latest start, although that exposes him as falling short in form terms.

38. Goodtoknow

Second to One For Arthur at Warwick in January before winning at Hereford, but well held next time, and plenty on his plate in this company.

39. La Vaticane

Ran well to a point in Topham a year ago, but both wins in UK have come against inferior rivals, and she simply looks out of her depth here.

40. Doctor Harper

Ran well when second at Cheltenham in January, but unpredictable, and not in same form since. Needs blinkers to spark a revival.