MANY CLOUDS Trainer: Oliver Sherwood Odds: 7/1 Won last year's race and this season has been built solely around a return. Running off a 5lb higher mark but only carrying 1lb more in his saddle, he looked better than ever when winning recently at Kelso. Definitely the one to beat. Rating: 10 (out of 10)

SILVINIACO CONTI Paul Nicholls 10/1 Brings a touch of class to proceedings, having won seven Grade Ones, the most recent of which was in February when it looked like he had lost his way. Stamina was found wanting in two Gold Cups, though, so that has to be a worry. 7/10

FIRST LIEUTENANT Mouse Morris 33/1 Despite being 11, showed he was no busted flush when third in the Hennessy and being beaten narrowly in the Lexus Chase. However, while he was well- handicapped before that last run the assessor has crucified him. 5/10

WONDERFUL CHARM Paul Nicholls 50/1 Trained with this race in mind all season, but stamina might be the main problem, having never won over anything farther than two miles, five furlongs. 5/10

BALLYNAGOUR David Pipe 50/1 This season began well, when third in the Charlie Hall, but his form tailed off. A bit more promise at Cheltenham but does not look well treated. 6/10

GILGAMBOA Enda Bolger 50/1 Went close off a big weight at Leopardstown at Christmas but was disappointing in the Irish Gold Cup. More like his old self over an inadequate trip at Cheltenham and shapes like a stayer. 7/10

ON HIS OWN Willie Mullins 40/1 A faller when well-fancied in 2012 and 2013, he is now 12 but still capable of running to a high level. Likes to dominate but will surely be unable to do that with 39 others. 5/10

THE DRUIDS NEPHEW Neil Mulholland 16/1 Was surely the "what-might-have - been" story 12 months ago when he fell four from home. Only ran last year as an afterthought, having already won at Cheltenham, but his trainer has concentrated on Aintree this time. Promising run at Doncaster latest. 8/10

TRIOLO D'ALENE Nicky Henderson 33/1 Won a Hennessy Gold Cup as a six-year-old, yet is still only nine. Pulled up in this last year but has had a better prep this time. 7/10

ROCKY CREEK Paul Nicholls 50/1 Well fancied for the last two years yet simply fails to see out the trip. Little to recommend him form-wise this season. 3/10

SIR DES CHAMPS Willie Mullins 25/1 Won at two successive Cheltenham Festivals and was one of the leading staying chasers around. Not been the same horse since injury struck but well treated on his best form. 6/10

HOLYWELL Jonjo O'Neill 14/1 Came back to form just in time for Cheltenham, having been lifeless earlier in the season. Has the class and well handicapped, with the only doubt being whether or not he has the size and scope for these fences. 8/10

SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR Jonjo O'Neill 20/1 Travelled like the winner for much of the race before fading on the run-in. However, connections felt he may have suffered an injury and do not feel it was a stamina issue. Too bad to be true last time out but had a valid excuse. Not one to write off.7/10

SOLL David Pipe50/1 Spent most of this season in veterans' races but has been running better than ever. Seventh three years ago and ninth last year suggests he may struggle off an even higher handicap mark, though. 6/10

BUYWISE Evan Williams 50/1 Certainly not without talent, but his jumping has to be a massive question mark. He was, however, staying on when third in the Great Yorkshire Chase. 6/10

BOSTON BOB Willie Mullins 33/1 Has come in for money in recent days and, at his best, he would look well handicapped. But he's now 11 and surely his best days are behind him. 6/10

AACHEN Venetia Williams 66/1 Expertly handled to reach a career-high mark at 12. Loves a slog in the mud but must now be in the handicapper's grip. 5/10

MORNING ASSEMBLY Pat Fahy 25/1 One of the best staying novice chasers of his generation but forced to miss last season through injury. All his old ability remains, though, and ran a nice trial for this when fourth at Cheltenham. As long as his jumping holds up, sure to be on the premises. 9/10

DOUBLE ROSS Nigel Twiston-Davies 66/1 A fun horse, but this is not his time of year and he barely stays three miles. Has run well over these fences twice before but has another two miles to contend with. 4/10

GOONYELLA Jim Dreaper 20/1 Stamina will certainly not be a concern for a horse who would stay six miles if needed, but did not seem to take to the fences in December. More rain the better for his chance. 6/10

UCELLO CONTI Gordon Elliott 20/1 Hugely unexposed French import but whether he would have enough experience for this unique test would be a worry. 7/10

UNIONISTE Paul Nicholls 25/1 Returning to something like his best, but trainer stated he did not enjoy it last year when he fell. Lacks the size of some of his rivals and tends to gets intimidated. 6/10

LE REVE Lucy Wadham 40/1 Plenty of stamina and a sound jumper, but his form on left-handed tracks like this leaves a lot to be desired. 6/10

GALLANT OSCAR Tony Martin20/1 Ran well at Cheltenham last year behind The Druids Nephew but hit hard by the handicapper and has struggled since. Better ground would be a big plus.

ONENIGHTINVIENNA Philip Hobbs 33/1 Faces a tough test as a novice, but looked progressive prior to stepping up in class last when he was taken on for the lead some way out and was well beaten.6/10

THE LAST SAMURI Kim Bailey 10/1 Thrown in on the handicap since his win at Doncaster and jumps and stays. His trained looked after Mr Frisk, who still holds the National course record, and has been earmarked for this for years. Big player. 8/10

KRUZHLININ Philip Hobbs20/1 Intentionally trained for the race and a pleasing fifth at Cheltenham on his prep race. Tenth in the National two years ago but developed immeasurably since then. Worthy claims. 8/10

RULE THE WORLD Mouse Morris 40/1 A consistent chaser and nicely weighted, but has yet to win over fences and this is hardly an easy race to end that unwanted statistic. 4/10

JUST A PAR Paul Nicholls 33/1 Won the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown last season but subsequent efforts hardly inspire a great deal of confidence. 3/10

KATENKO Venetia Williams 66/1 Not won since January 2013 and has struggled badly since his return from injury. Tough to see him playing a hand in the finish. 3/10

VICS CANVAS Dermot McLoughlin66/1 Stayed on for fifth in the Becher Chase in December but he is now a teenager and likely to find this all too much at his stage of life. 2/10

BLACK THUNDER Paul Nicholls66/1 One or two nice pieces of form in his novice days, though he cannot be one to trust implicitly in the jumping department. 2/10

BALLYCASEY Willie Mullins50/1 Unluckily brought down in the National last year and was a big eyecatcher at the Cheltenham Festival. Interesting. 7/10

HADRIAN'S APPROACH Nicky Henderson 50/1 A useful operator on good ground, but even that might not be enough for a horse who has flattered to deceive since he won a big race at Sandown in April 2014. 4/10

VIEUX LION ROUGE David Pipe 66/1 Rattled off a hat-trick earlier in the season, but form has levelled off and did not look a straightforward horse at the Cheltenham Festival. Stamina questions need to be addressed. 3/10

PENDRA Charlie Longsdon 50/1 Always viewed as a nice fit for the National and boasts some really good form. Can be a bit hit and miss, but would not be out of the equation if it came up heavy. 6/10

SAINT ARE Tom George 16/1 Fine runner-up last year and sneaks in off a 1lb lower mark than 12 months ago. Looked as good as ever in a veterans' handicap chase at Doncaster last month and has to make any shortlist. 8/10

HOME FARM Henry de Bromhead 100/1 Always well regarded, but form is wayward. Once finished third in the Irish Grand National, though, so he might get around – but probably in his own time. 3/10

THE ROMFORD PELE Rebecca Curtis 40/1 Hardly looks a textbook National horse, but made late progress in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham and was not beaten far. Could feasibly outrun his odds but would not want much more rain. 6/10

*NR* O’FAOLAINS BOY Rebecca Curtis 25/1 Has shown flashes of quality this term and ran very well for a long way in the Gold Cup. His trainer has always felt he would be the perfect type for this and not without a chance. 7/10