Chemical Energy (25/1)

Ronan Groome

Off 148, 1lb higher than his Irish rating, Chemical Energy has a beautiful profile for a modern National - a lightly-raced second season chaser, proven stamina and well handicapped off the back of his run to finish second to Gaillard Du Mesnil in the National Hunt Chase at last year’s Festival.

He was unlucky in that contest two-fold - the ground going soft after he had been kept back all season and that Mahler Mission fell two out. The latter incident left Jamie Codd’s mount with nothing to aim at and he was a sitting duck for the strong staying Gaillard Du Mesnil late on.

That Willie Mullins-trained runner enhanced the form significantly with an excellent run in last year’s Grand National, as did the third, Mister Coffey, who was second jumping the last in the National only to fade back to eighth.

Chemical Energy was pulled up in the Irish National on soft ground and then finished a close sixth to Desertmore House in the Kerry National, again having to race on soft ground.

His potential to improve on a quicker surface makes him really appealing and he has shown how effective he can be when fresh given.

Panda Boy (20/1)

Anne Marie Duff

The days of beginning your Grand National search by taking the field from the 11st mark down and having won over three miles have gone. The ‘modern’ modified National is much more winnable – or is it? Yes, Minella Times and Noble Yeats had not gone close to winning at the distance, but of the last 10 runnings, eight winners were under 11st.

So there we begin. Panda Boy (10st 3lb and 20s in places) ticks both boxes and his stamina, and form in big handicaps should really see him in the mix. His trainer knows the score in preparing a National winner.

With Hewick a likely runner off 11st 12lb, it will make the race for those lower down. Gordon Elliott has 15 entries but you fancy many are on the decline.

Of the 12 Willie Mullins entries, Stattler (11st 1lb) has shown little in his recent runs but none of those races would have suited the 2022 National Hunt Chase winner. He was an outside fancy for last year’s Gold Cup, and if back to better form in April, there is 50s around and that could look very big.

Panda Boy (20/1)

Mark Boylan

This year’s Grand National field size is down to 34 from 40, so there can understandably be a little trepidation with backing those who are a little way outside the cut-off point at present. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that in the last three 40-runner Grand Nationals, the final horses to get into the race were numbers 67, 71 and 61 immediately after this weights stage.

That offers plenty of encouragement that Panda Boy will be able to get into the race without much issue, and he looks a massive player for Martin Brassil off his current weight of 10st 3lb (currently number 53 on the list).

Spring ground is bound to bring out the best in him, and his efforts in the last two editions of the Paddy Power Chase marked him out as being an attractive candidate for a race like the Grand National. He remains largely unexposed with just nine chasing starts too.

Prepared by an excellent big-race target trainer, who has already won the Aintree highlight before, Panda Boy looks likely to get in off a beautiful weight and can be expected to deliver a peak performance here. There is a lot to like at 20/1 each-way.