Yala Enki

Trainer: Venetia Williams

Jockey: Hugh Nugent

Top-weight alleviated by jockey taking off seven but still has to contend with a lofty mark. Third in Welsh Grand National in December gives him a fine form line and certainly has a solid chance.

This Venetia Williams trained Gelding is proven at staying this distance and even further and we know he likes to go out at the front but will he be able to do this at such a high weight is the question that needs answering.

Ballyoptic

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Jockey: Tom Bellamy

This nine year old is a frustrating horse that one day can go really well but the other be very underwhelming. Last time out in the welsh Grand National is underperformed finishing sixth but came a credible second in the Scottish National last season and if finding that form will be up there

Royal Vacation

Trainer: Colin Tizzard

Jockey: Paddy Brennan

First win for two years last time out and ran well in similar race to this at Cheltenham in December and can make presence felt.

Has gone up in the weights for that win but is used to these long distance contests and has a top combination of jockey and trainer. 

Wakanda

Trainer: Sue Smith

Jockey: Danny Cook

Coming off of a career best performance when winning Grade 2 handicap at Haydock in January. Handicapper has reacted but is an honest sort.

Course form could play a huge factor in this race on Saturday and again he is another horse that likes a staying test, needs to stay consistent with his jumping to have a chance again here.

Ramses De Teilee

Trainer: David Pipe

Jockey: David Noonan

Came second in big field race similar to this last time out. Won a handicap previous to that and looks to be in good form, hence the favouritism in the market.

Welsh National performance dos set the standard in this contest with form and he is one of the youngest runners in the field with less mileage than most, which could be useful.

Robinsfirth

Trainer: Colin Tizzard

Jockey: Sean Bowen

First run for over a year saw him finish second to Wakanda last time out. Sure to come on for the run and could take the beating.

This is another one of Tizzard's infantry and probably his best chance on the day to land this contest but will need to take strides forward and hopefully his last run didn't take to much out of him with the obvious lack of time on the track in the last year.

Vieux Lion Rouge

Trainer: David Pipe

Jockey: Tom Scudamore

A stalwart at this level and performs well. Sadly his last race was very disappointing in the Welsh Grand National and needs to bounce back immediately and it doesn't look like this will be the one to do it in. Past his best.

Red Infantry

Trainer: Ian Williams

Jockey: Tom O'Brien

This former course and distance winner has stepped things up a notch this season but well beaten by Wakanda and Robinsfirth last time and needs to find more today to have any hope of being in the mix.

The Two Amigos

Trainer: Nicky Martin

Jockey: Matt Griffiths

One of the least exposed and has won three times in four runs this year. This a big jump up in class but no surprise to see him feature as he has looked impressive in his last few runs.

His form figures are something of good reading with three wins in his last four races and the other one was a place. Highly progressive stayer.

Bally Arthur

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Jockey: Jamie Bargary

No win this season but has ran well in defeat on two occasions and is gradually stepping up to the mark. Has a clear each way chance in this one but needs to jump well and travel strongly into the contest, no mistakes can be afforded.

Implusive Star

Trainer: Neil Mulholland

Jockey: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

This progressive star ran a blinder last time out and is only getting better in these marathon handicaps in which compared to the rest of the field is very unexposed.

Using that to his advantage on Saturday will be huge and if going close, he could set a huge marker for him and his trainer to head to the Grand National in April.

Carole's Destrier

Trainer: Neil Mulholland

Jockey: Aidan Coleman

Eleven-year-old veteran with just the one win since 2015. Ran respectably at this level last time but needs more but that form line could read really well and it would not be a shock to see her in the frame for an each way shout with many book akers paying extra places.

Bishops Road

Trainer: Kerry Lee

Jockey: Mitchell Bastyan

Pulled up in lesser race in January and no win since impressive Graded victory in 2016. Needs to suddenly rediscover form which looks highly unlikely as the big outsider of the field.

One to oppose in our opinion with more specialist horses in the field who just have that extra gear in comparison.

Ah Littleluck

Trainer: Thomas Gibney

Jockey: David Mullins

This nine-year-old Irish raider that has shown a fair level of form will need more but is coming off a nice victory at Navan last time out and his trainer has hinted that the extra trip could bring the best out of him.

Another outsider of the field but like in the actual Grand National big prices normally do feature in big fielded contest like these.

Pobbles Bay

Trainer: Evan Williams

Jockey: Leighton Aspell

Lightly raced nine-year-old that has found Class 1 level beyond him. No win since December 16th and unlikely to add to that here.

Been progressive over hurdles but in this chase sphere he is likely to struggle again and one to oppose if jumping to the same standard of last season.

Chef D'Oeuvre

Trainer: Sam England

Jockey: Jonathan England

First run in Graded company for two years. Ran well last time out to win at Haydock but will undoubtedly need to improve on that.

If improving he could feature but a big deciding factor for that is the ground turning soft or heavy and at the moment the conditions read good to soft.