Midland Grand National: Runner-by-runner

Houblon Des Obeaux

Proved the fire still burned with a decent third behind Native River in the Welsh National over Christmas and lines up here from a 9lb lower mark. Too well treated to ignore but has yet to run over as far as this and obviously needs to return to near his best.

Final Nudge

Has won both starts since being fitted with cheekpieces and the runner-up last time finished a respectable eighth at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday suggesting that an 11lb rise (for both wins) may not be the end for him. Has a mile more to race than ever before but there is stamina in the pedigree.

Benbens

Finished third in the 2015 Scottish National from a 3lb lower mark so this sort of test holds no fears for him but there's an awful lot to be taken on trust on his first start in over a year.

Gevrey Chambertin

In and out performer but yard won four consecutive renewals of this race between 2011 and 2014 so anything they run needs a second glance. In the process of running well in the Eider Chase when unseating latest and no surprise to see him run a big race to try and make amends.

Firebird Flyer

Won this race last year and is back down to his winning mark after failing to complete the last twice. He had started the season in promising fashion so all is not lost and he could easily make another bold bid in first time cheekpieces.

Blakemount

A winner over a stiff three miles two on his penultimate start suggesting this trip should be within his scope and he lost little caste in defeat last time. Making quiet progress over fences this season and there could well be more in the locker.

Alfie Spinner

Bold jumping front runner who won his first two starts for this yard before finishing behind Blakemount at Carlisle. Possible a short break will have done him good but he was pulled up in the 2014 renewal of this race and the handicapper hasn't pulled any punches following his return to form.

Out Sam

Talented but frustrating with jumping issues hampering his progress. Never going in the Eider last time but posted one of his better efforts in a competitive handicap at Doncaster prior to that. This sort of test should suit but he comes with risks attached.

Goulanes

Rated 3lbs lower than when winning this in 2014 but has moved yards and had just two starts since, failing to complete on either. Not impossible but a leap of faith is required.

Gonalston Cloud

Has progressed well over the last two seasons and has hit the frame in the Edinburgh National and North Yorkshire Grand National the last twice. Up a total of 5lbs for those two defeats so needs to pull out more in what is probably a stronger race.

Silver Man

Consistent but hasn't won a race since the summer of 2015 and a minor role may be the best that he can hope for over the furthest that he's raced.

Mysteree

A game winner of the Eider Chase from a 6lb lower mark but that was only his eighth start so he has scope for further progress. Conditions are likely to be less testing than they were at Newcastle which raises a slight doubt with most of his best form on softer but looks the part otherwise.

Warrantor

Began the season with a fine second in a staying handicap at Cheltenham but not so good the last twice and hasn't been cut any slack by the handicapper. More than capable of featuring and yard in better form than in mid-winter but doesn't boast the most solid profile.

Cogry

Beaten five lengths into third in last year's renewal and returns on a 3lb lower mark so has clear claims from a handicapping perspective. Had an in and out season but is generally in good form and can make his presence felt.

Emperor's Choice

Pulled up in this race in 2014 and more bad days than good over the last season or two despite winning the Welsh National in 2014. Showed a little more in first time blinkers in the Eider Chase but obviously needs to take another step forwards to feature.

Spookydooky

Has only won one of his 10 chase starts and placed in another two but he has the ability to feature in this type of contest as he showed when third in the Devon National and when fourth in last year's renewal of this race. Rated 10lbs lower this time around which gives him obvious claims from a handicapping perspective.

Court Frontier

Has gone up by 21lbs for winning his last three but no indication that the handicapper has caught up with him just yet as he ran out an easy winner over three miles six at Huntingdon, the longest trip he's tackled to date. This is tougher but clearly commands respect.

Chase The Spud

Finished just over three lengths behind Mysteree in November but that one has improved since whereas Chase The Spud has failed to build on that promise. May prefer more testing ground and others look more solid.

Portrait King

A regular in staying handicaps and has thrice given his rider a good spin around the famous Grand National fences at Aintree. Hasn't won a race since 2015 but has posted some respectable efforts in defeat and could do so again if he takes to a first time visor.

Mad Brian

His second in the Troytown in 2013 promised a bright future but not an awful lot has gone right since, including when pulling up in this race last year. However, returned to form this year, running fourth at Punchestown and winning over hurdles last time and could easily take a hand if in the same mood.

Verdict

There are probably sufficient grounds for taking on market leaders Mysteree and Court Frontier and last year's prominent finishers - Firebird Flyer, Cogry and Spookydooky - could easily recapture their form with none of the three badly weighted either. A chance is taken, though, with WARRANTOR who has more than enough ability to feature if he can put it all together and his inconsistency has  been more than factored into his price.