THIS year’s Grand National weights bear more of a resemblance to those of a decade ago, before the weights were compressed to entice better horses to run and bring more horses into the handicap.

We have Bristol De Mai as top-weight on 11st 10lb, his rating lowered by 5lb for the purpose of this race. Even though he was the top-rated chaser last season, rated 173, he is not one to entice punters in the same manner as the classy top-weights we have had recently.