The contenders' colours of distinction

GRAND NATIONAL: From Bishops Hall to Zeta's Lad, a punters' guide to the 35 runners aiming to break the circuit at Aintree today

Harry de Bromhead, his trainer, staked a claim to be one of the shrewdest handlers in Ireland when he scratched Bishops Hall at the last minute 12 months ago, but has ruined his image by having another tilt this year. His form credentials were minimal in 1994, in the interim they have evaporated completely. Way below his best on his last four outings, and even his best would be a furlong short of adequate. Odds: 100-1

BISHOPS HALL

CRYSTAL SPIRIT

Born and bred to be a big-race winner but the race, unfortunately, was the Derby. By Kris out of the dam of Glint Of Gold, his blood could hardly be bluer, but that will count for nothing when his legs start to wobble a mile from home. The drying ground has persuaded some to dust off the old belief that two-and-a-half mile horses can win the National by hacking through the first circuit. They can't, he won't. Odds 11-1:

EBONY JANE

Showed remarkable courage 12 months ago when finishing fourth here just five days after running third in the Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse, but those efforts seem to have left her permanently puffed. Despite the expertise of Dermot Weld, who sent Vintage Crop to Australia to win the 1993 Melbourne Cup, she has not even threatened to win in her six outhings since. It will be seven by this evening. Odds: 25-1

FOR WILLIAM

Pulled up when a 25-1 chance for the Punchestown National Trial, which rather makes you wonder why his connections are bothering with the real thing. If they have discovered a loophole in the duty-free regulations which allows horses to claim double, fair enough. Otherwise, in these environmentally-conscious times his appearance today is surely a dreadful waste of petrol. Ignore, even if your name is William. Odds: 150-1

GOLD CAP

What is known in racing circles as "a bit of a thinker", and if you believe that intelligence is a useful attribute in a racehorse, you suppose wrong. Thinkers soon realise that they do not have to do anything they don't like, and given Gold Cap's clumsy approach to jumping fences, the realisation that the National is not for him should dawn fairly swiftly. If they spend too long standing at the start he may refuse to move at all. Odds: 66-1

ITS A SNIP

At least a stone adrift of the quality now demanded of National runners, he lines up thanks only to his commendable second place in last year's Velka Pardubicka (Czech National), which earned him an automatic entry at Liverpool. If he can stay in touch on the run to the first it will be a significant achievement. If he wins, run straight to the kitchen and turn on the taps. They will produce Chateau Mouton Rothschild '61. Odds: 200-1

MASTER OATS

"He'll never have a better chance to win the National" is the comment by Kim Bailey, his trainer, which should most interest Master Oats's supporters. The trouble is, Bailey made his observation 12 months ago, only to see him fall at the 13th. The Gold Cup winner has improved significantly since then, but the combination of top weight, fast going, a flat jumping style and a hard race at Cheltenham makes him a poor-value bet. Odds: 6-1

OVER THE DEEL

There is a new entry in the list of painfully misguided statements. Between "I'm just going for a quick walk on deck" (Lord Nelson, Trafalgar) and "How quiet it is today" (General Custer, Little Big Horn), we can add "I declare Over The Deel to run in the National" (Howard Johnson, yesterday morning). Looked somewhat moody earlier this season, and the approach to Becher's is hardly likely to cheer him up. Odds: 150-1

ROMANY KING

Another of those characters, like Mikhail Gorbachev and the Ninja Turtles, who belong very firmly in a different era. Runner-up to Party Politics here three years ago when trained by Toby Balding, and has since joined Kim Bailey's burgeoning ranks, but he would need to share a hankie with the Marquess of Blandford to stand much chance of rediscovering the energy of his youth. Will plod round in his own good time. Odds: 50-1

THE COMMITTEE

When Yutaka Take, the champion Japanese Flat jockey, rode White Muzzle in last year's Arc he did not exactly endear himself to British punters or commentators, so Tsuyoshi Tanaka, his jumping counterpart, must be admired for risking a similar reception. Of course, it is to his advantage that while White Muzzle was favourite, The Committee has no chance whatsover. Cue polite applause for a gallant 12th. Odds: 100-1

CAMELOT KNIGHT

An interesting snippet of form shows him within nine lengths of Crystal Spirit over an inadequate trip at Ascot in January which, given their respective prices, makes him by far the most interesting of the rank outsiders, even if he is 18lb worse off today. Consistent, enthusiastic chaser (third in the Kim Muir Chase at Cheltenham last month), and while success is surely beyond him, a place at a wild price is possible. Odds: 150-1

DAKYNS BOY

Hails from the same stable as Young Hustler, where the training regime involves galloping up an incline more suited to ice-axes and crampons. All the fitness in the world, however, can do nothing for a horse's basic engine, and in this company Dakyns Boy is a two-stroke amid V12 turbos. Will do well to chug his way to The Chair before the leaders reappear to lap him, particularly on ground he dislikes. Odds: 66-1

TINRYLAND

Mick Fitzgerald, his jockey, could probably have ridden the well- fancied Party Politics, but chose instead to honour his retainer with Nick Henderson and ride the Lambourn trainer's only representative. The only reward for his loyalty is likely to be a good view of the start and a steadily diminishing proximity to the action from that moment on. Stamina unproven beyond 21 furlongs, and it's definitely not worth the risk. Odds: 66-1

CHATAM

One of the few horses who did not set off for the void race two years ago, a decision which probably owed more to a sense of his own limitations than any deep understanding of the correct starting procedure. Fences and Chatam get on about as well as the Montagues and Capulets, and his chances of jumping round, still less actually doing so in a worthwhile position, are somewhere between slim and emaciated. Odds: 20-1

DESERT LORD

Already a National winner, but the fact that it was the Kerry National at Listowel is hardly a glowing recommendation and L'Escargot's venerable status as the last Irish-trained National winner - 20 years ago - seems likely to survive for another 12 months at least. If the headline on tomorrow's back page is "Lord wins National", you can be sure that the one on the front will be "Moon made of cheese - official". Odds: 100- 1

TOPSHAM BAY

Unlikely to be a victim of bunching on the run to the first, since Philip Hide, his jockey, has spent most of the week suffering from a mysterious skin infection. No matter how trouble-free a passage he is allowed, however, Hide's first National mount seems destined to be a victim of Sod's Law. Twelve months ago, he was in excellent form and the ground turned against him. This year the going's fast, but he isn't. Odds: 25-1

COOL GROUND

Won his first race since taking the 1992 Gold Cup just a couple of weeks ago, but there is little danger that he has returned to his championship form since to describe the Royal Artillery Gold Cup as a Mickey Mouse event would invite a defamation writ from Disney. One of the last standard- bearers of a poor generation, finding his name among the entries is like running into a Teddy Boy at a rave party. Odds: 66-1

DO BE BRIEF

Here to make up the numbers, not least as a member of Jenny Pitman's six-strong squad. Looked distinctly surly earlier this season, and although he ran with reasonable promise in the Ritz Club Chase at Cheltenham last month, he is essentially a declining horse who is out of his depth. Owned by Errol Brown, the singer with Hot Chocolate, who is as likely to pick up the trophy today as he is to grow a full head of hair. Odds: 100-1

ERRANT KNIGHT

Martin Pipe has never been a man to run one horse when half a dozen are eligible, but even his cheeks may blush a little today as he saddles a runner who has yet to win a chase beyond two and three quarter miles and recorded his most recent victory in a novice hurdle. Generally hits form in the spring, but in the sort of races which offer 10 quid and a nosebag of oats to the winner. Discount him with confidence. Odds: 50- 1

GARRISON SAVANNAH

The chosen mount, surprisingly, of Jenny Pitman's stable jockey, Warren Marston, but then National history is littered with riders who went for the wrong one. Was within 100 yards of the Gold Cup/National double when second to Seagram four years ago, and is in theory well handicapped on that performance. But if it was that easy to put the clock back, we could all sell our houses at mid-Eighties prices. Too old, too slow. Odds 25-1:

INTO THE RED

When you christen a horse in a spirit of jokey pessimism, you can hardly blame him for living up to it, and while his career has been far from disastrous, John White's chaser still boasts just five wins in 41 starts. One of those was over a circuit and a half of the National course in November, but his form since has been dreadful and despite White's belief that he is a spring horse, he seems ready instead for his summer holiday. Odds: 25-1

JUMBEAU

Charles Barnett, Aintree's clerk of the course, commented last weekend that it would require an act of God to bring about fast ground for the National, which may give some hope to this one's connections. Two in one week is surely too much to ask, however, particularly since in Jumbeau's case, Buddha, Allah and Zeus would need to get involved as well. Big, slow, woefully out of form and wants it soft. Ignore him at your leisure. Odds: 150-1

MIINNEHOMA

It added insult to injury for animal rights activists last year when the race not only started as planned, but was won by a horse belonging to that notorious rodent-eater, Freddie Starr. He has been strongly supported for a repeat success, but going, weight, age (he is 12) and his exertions behind Master Oats in the Gold Cup will all count against him. For the nation's hamsters, a small measure of satisfaction is at hand. Odds: 8- 1

PARTY POLITICS

Enormous chaser who turned the fences into hurdles when he won here three years ago and there are plenty of punters who believe that he can do so again. His form, however, has dipped alarmingly since he ran Master Oats to four lengths at Chepstow in November, a performance which might see him challenging for favouritism had he not run so poorly on two subsequent outings. Hard to fancy at his current price. Odds: 16-1

ROYAL ATHLETE

Well fancied for the void National two years ago, but cannot claim to have been hard done by since he took a crashing fall in the fairly early stages. Jumping has often been a painful flaw for this talented animal - he always dives at one somewhere, which around here is one too many - and at 12 years of age there is little reason to think that either his technique, or his overall form, has much room for improvement. Odds: 66-1

YOUNG HUSTLER

Young, perhaps, in name and age, but in terms of experience he is one of the oldest in the field. Today's race will be the 50th of his career - only two of his opponents have more on the clock -and he has shown signs that a high-octane youth is starting to catch up with him. Has 44 lengths to find with Master Oats on Gold Cup form, on 8lb better terms. Today's faster ground will help, but surely not that much. Odds: 7-1

COUNTRY MEMBER

The Grand Military Gold Cup, a bizarre relic of Empire restricted to current and former servicemen, generally features horses better suited to Trooping the Colour, but this year's winner may be an exception. Useful two years ago before injury intervened, his trainer, Andy Turnell, used the Grand Military as the prep race for his 1987 winner, Maori Venture. Will bounce happily off the ground and should make the frame. Odds: 10- 1

DUBACILLA

A mare; in fact as far as most punters are concerned, she's a complete 'mare. Boasting talent and temperament in equal (large) measures, she likes to give the field a head-start and then pick them off in the closing stages. Too moody to back, too good to discount, this is her first attempt at the sort of trip which brought the best out of her half-brother, Just So. If you back her to win, have a saver on last place too. Odds: 11-1

ESHA NESS

If John White and Esha Ness can erase the memory of the victory that wasn't in the void race two years ago, Steven Spielberg will be elbowing Jenny Pitman aside in the winner's enclosure as he tries to secure the film rights. It is a tantalising prospect (Tom Cruise as White, perhaps, and Thora Hird as Mrs Pitman), but sadly Esha Ness would first need to give a convincing performance as a racehorse. No chance. Odds: 66-1

GENERAL PERSHING

Another whose stamina is far from dependable, particularly since he likes to be up with the pace. Faded quickly from two fences out in a fast-run race over two and a half miles at the Cheltenham Festival last month, which is far from encouraging. On the positive side, his jumping and ability to act on the ground are not in serious doubt. Like all reasonable each-way shots, seems certain to finish just out of the frame. Odds: 20- 1

LUSTY LIGHT

One of the few runners who will positively enjoy the fast conditions, Jenny Pitman's chaser has improved tremendously throughout the season, and ran Martha's Son, one of the season's best performers, to two lengths at Wincanton in December. Poor run last time is excused by the soft ground and lack of a recent outing. May still be ahead of the handicapper and is most definitely the best value bet in the race. Odds: 11-1