All eyes with be on Corach Rambler to see if he can achieve greatness by going back-to-back in the race. I know he ran a career best to finish third in the Gold Cup but I don’t see this being as straightforward. 5/1 seems short enough and I’m going to try and oppose and dig out some value. VANILLIER is my main hope for the race this year. I backed this loveable grey last year and he ran a cracker staying on strongly for second behind Corach Rambler. He was beaten 2 and a quarter lengths but gets a swing in the weights this year and could easily go one better. He is a sound jumper who stays the trip so he ticks a lot of boxes and 9/1 seems very fair.

I usually prefer experience in this race but such is the potential of MEETINGOFTHEWATERS I have decided to include him in my selections this year. He looked a horse going places winning at Cork and Leopardstown before unseating at the DRF. He was back to form in a big way chasing home Chianti Classico in the Ultima and looked an out and out galloper in the closing stages. This test will suit him and I think he’ll be seeing it out better than most as long as the occasion doesn’t get too much.

The price has come in now as MR INCREDIBLE was available at 20/1 just a couple of weeks ago. I have unfinished business with this horse as I was on him last year and I thought he was in a lovely rhythm before unfortunately the saddle slipped and the jockey was unseated at Valentines. We have only seen him once since and that was when second to Beauport in the Midlands National. He is another one I’m convinced will ’stay all day’ and if getting a clear round should go close. He comes out particularly well on trends so I think he could be one of the steamers in the race.

Finally I always like to include one at a monster price and this year that horse is CHAMBARD for Venetia Williams. This horse won the Becher here back in December and has a habit of popping up at big prices having also won at the Cheltenham Festival at odds of 40/1 just a couple of years ago. He is a strong traveller who stays the trip so seems a bit overpriced at 100/1. He was hampered by a faller in the Ultima so had excuses and could surprise a few here. Plenty of dangers obviously headed by the favourite but I Am Maximus is another one I could see going well if taking to the National fences as his form ties in with Vanillier.

In a race of this nature there are plenty of dangers but Delta Work is the obvious and is vying for favouritism after winning the cross-country at the Cheltenham Festival nicely. He will surely go well again but I would just want the ground a little bit softer. The Big Dog will have his day in a big race one day and was travelling well at Leopardstown before falling which put me off backing him. Finally the other horse I liked at a massive price is Escaria Ten who stays well and on his best form could outrun the price, I was just really disappointed with his run last year which edged him out of my picks.