A reduced field has done nothing to dampen excitement for the 'race that stops the nation' with 34 runners set to take their chances on Saturday for the Randox Grand National.
The ultimate stamina test over 4m2f will go to post at 4pm with last year's winner Corach Rambler and his nearest rival Vanillier among those looking to write their names into racing folklore.
Whether a seasoned race fan studiously going over the form and trends or a once a year punter, the race remains something of a lottery.
But here at Devon Live we select ones to follow and offer our selections on who could take the spoils.
Noble Yeats
The former winner of the race two years ago and fourth last year has the burden of top weight this time. Out paced in the Gold Cup last month but stamina is without question and with a clear round of jumping will pass a few on the run in. Harry Cobden, on board, has been flying this season and although tough to picture him winning off such a high mark, the nine-year-old could be a solid each way shout.
Nassalam
Routed the opposition with a 34-length victory in the Welsh Grand National in December before pulling up in the Gold Cup last month. The seven-year-old stayed on well over the national fences in the Grand Sefton earlier this season and if he can combine the two runs then could threaten the places. High enough in the weights though and was well beaten by Corach Rambler despite giving 3lbs in competitive handicap at Cheltenham last year.
Coko Beach
A popular grey for trainer Gordon Elliott has won twice over in Ireland and ran well when second over the national fences in the Becher Chase here in December on heavy ground. Carrying 8lbs more than when pulled up three out in last year's race so further improvement needed.
Capodanno
Impressive victory of the Cotswolds Chase at Cheltenham in January was followed by a fourth placed finish in the Ryanair at the festival. But despite his obvious class, doubts the eight-year-old will get the trip means it is hard to fancy this high in the weights. 3lb higher than when pulled up and not seeing out the trip last year makes him hard to fancy.
I Am Maximus
Another Willie Mullins runner and the mount of Paul Townend is looking to complete the double after winning the Irish National at Fairyhouse last year. 11st5 seems less of a burden in the modern national and looks well in on the weights. Comfortably saw off Vanillier in a grade 3 despite giving up nearly a stone in weight last time out and is a leading contender with a clear round of jumping.
Minella Indo
Former Gold Cup winner in 2021 and runner up the year after, the 11-year-old for Henry De Bromhead has obvious class but there's a feeling his best days are behind him. Sure to have plenty of backers with Rachael Blackmore on board, but would have to roll back the years to go close here.
Corach Rambler
Seeking to become a rare dual winner of the race after claiming last year's crown, the Lucinda Russell trained ten-year-old will have to carry an extra stone on his back this time round. But a feeling the handicapper has given the Derek Fox ride a live chance and a Gold Cup third showed further improvement. Well fancied and current market leader should give punters a good run for their money.
Janidil
Not much in the form book to spark significant optimism and last seen trailing 11th of 12 in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham. Has run in graded company mainly over 2m4f but the big step up in trip and inconsistent jumping makes him hard to fancy.
Stattler
Has mixed it in grade one company without too much success and was beaten 34 lengths by Coko Beach on level weights last time out in a cross country at Punchestown. One stand out piece of form was winner of the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham two years ago over 3m6f, so a proven stayer in the field. One for the shortlist if you fancy big prices, and if on song and takes to the fences at 50/1 has each way chance.
Mahler Mission
Stood out when soaring four lengths clear in the 3m6f National Hunt Chase before falling two out. A decent showing when runner up in a competitive handicap at Newbury last time out shows it hadn't left too big a mark. If jumping is up to scratch then could go close.
Delta Work
Classy performer on his day and multiple grade one winner, the 11-year-old was placed in this two years ago and travelling well when unseated his rider last year. Taken well to cross country fences in recent years and enjoyed some epic duals with Grand National legend Tiger Roll. But feeling is his best chance in this has probably come and gone.
Foxy Jacks
Stand-out piece of form a win in the Cross Country at Cheltenham in November - beating Latenightpass over just short of 3m6f. Not raced since December when well beaten at Leopardstown but although has proven stamina in the book, jumping has been an issue. Had heavy fall on his only attempt over these fences in the Topham two years ago.
Galvin
Will hope to go better than ditching his mount at the first fence in last year's race and has the ability to do so even though not been at his best this year. A former grade one winner who has placed fourth in a Gold Cup, the ten-year-old has taken to cross country fences and won over 3m6f at Cheltenham.
Farouk D'Alene
Pulled up in a handicap at Cheltenham when last seen, the Gordon Elliott trained nine-year-old has not fulfilled early promise he showed as a novice chaser. A few too many falls than ideal in the copybook including in the grade three handicap in Navan in November brings doubts on if he'll see out the trip.
Eldorado Allen
A classy chaser in his day but hasn't won since landing the Denman Chase in February 2022 and feeling his best form is in the rear view mirror. Pulled up in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time out although connections will hope a recent wind op can ignite the old spark.
Ain't That A Shame
The last of 17 finishers to make it round in last year's race after tailing off badly. Best performances are on heavy ground including a win in a grade 3 handicap in Ireland last time out so will be hoping the rain arrives in Liverpool in time. Not without hope but feeling could be ground dependant.
Vanillier
Second last year and arguably could have gone closer to the winner as came from 12 lengths down while jumping the last and was finishing the stronger. A question mark over whether he could have won if up with the pace, but significantly better off in the weights than with the winner this time around and wouldn't be a shock to see him go one better.
Mr Incredible
An unlucky fall when running well in last year's race. Next seen coming second in the Midlands National over 4m2 on heavy ground. No doubts over stamina and won't mind the expected rain - but that huge effort was less than a month a go and could have taken its toll.
Run Wild Fred
Had a great run of results in 2021 and 2022 up until falls in the Grand National and the Irish National that seemed to have knocked the wind out of him. Been disappointing largely since and didn't show any signs of a return to the old form when pulled up at Cheltenham last time out. Hard to fancy
Latenightpass
Has a great record in the foxhunters over the national fences over the years and has taken well to the cross country races at Cheltenham - including a win in December and a narrow defeat at the hands of Foxy Jacks a month earlier. The 11-year-old might find this a step too far though.
Minella Crooner
Pulled up at Cheltenham last time out and beaten 25 lengths by I am Maximus the time before. Tried and pulled up twice over 3m6f so obvious concerns over whether the eight-year-old will see out the extended trip.
Adamantly Chosen
Another Willie Mullins runner who saw off Roi Mage by 14 lengths last time out at Down Royal over 3m2f after stepping up in trip that marks him out as a lively outsider. Disappointing run over shorter distances, but maybe the master trainer has unlocked the key to getting the horse tick.
Mac Tottie
Few horses and trainers have a better record over the national fences than Peter Bowen and this 11-year-old. A former winner of both the Grand Sefton and the Topham, the trip is a slight concern but could be a lively outsider.
Chemical Energy
Best piece of form was coming second behind Galliard Du Mesnil in the 3m6f NH Chase at Cheltenham last year so should stay. But disappointed in the Irish National after and not been on track since the Kerry National in September. Others fancied more.
Limerick Lace
Another mare, who should have no problems going on the expected heavy ground. Whether she gets the trip is a slight question mark though - but on her sole start over 3m was a decent second behind Coko Beach. Not one to scratch straight away.
Meetingofthewaters
A leading fancy with great form in the book his season. Third in the Ultima last time out at Cheltenham and won the hugely competitive Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas. That day had the likes of Panda Boy trailing in his wake and, although hiked in the weights following that, could still have further improvement.
The Goffer
Struggled badly in the finish on heavy ground when tailing off in the Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham last time out and although some decent form on better ground will probably not have the conditions to suit.
Roi Mage
A lively each-way shout at bigger odds. Finished 7th in this last year in a very credible showing and won the Grand Steeple-Cross Country back in France this season. Is 2lbs lower in the weights than last year and not without hope.
Glengouly
Two second place finishes on his three starts over competitive handicaps this season are some of his best form. Slight stamina doubts were eased when stepped up in trip over 3m1f and seemed to handle heavy ground. One to watch if the rain arrives.
Galia Des Liteaux
Mares don't have a great record in the race but the Skelton eight-year-old looked a good thing when staying on strong in the Warwick Chase over 3m5f in January. A rotten performance last time out at Exeter though as a beaten odds-on favourite doesn't feel you with as much confidence though.
Panda Boy
Run well in last year's Irish National to finish 5th and two strong showings in 3m competitive handicaps at Leopardstown this season while staying on strong, sees the eight-year-old grey for former Grand National winning trainer Martin Brassil come into this with every chance. A nice weight and one to consider.
Eklat De Dire
Was once a very promising novice chaser but has flattered to deceive and pulled up last time out at Cheltenham. Hard to fancy on recent form.
Chambard
Looked to relish the Grand National fences here in December when beating Coko Beach by 13 lengths. Trained by Venetia Williams and the mount of Lucy Turner, the former Kim Muir winner is now 12 - with the last winner that age coming two decades ago.
Kitty's Light
The Welsh-trained eight-year-old came alive in the staying chasers last Spring, winning the 4m Eider, the Scottish Grand National and the Bet365 Gold Cup. Been run to preserve handicap mark over this season and has crept in at the bottom of the weights. Ground if heavy could be the one question mark - but plenty in his favour.
OUR TOP FOUR
Kitty's Light
I am Maximus
Vanillier
Panda Boy
