Grand National Form

GRANGECLARE WEST may well have challenged for victory 12 months ago had he not made a bad mistake at the final fence before staying on strongly from the Elbow to finish third. Following the same route of all three of Willie Mullins' Aintree heroes, having landed the Bobbyjo at Fairyhouse last time, he has a strong chance of going two places better. 2024 winner I Am Maximus split him and the now-absent Nick Rockett when attempting to defend his crown and arrives having shown high-class form when runner-up in the Savills at Leopardstown in December. Cheekpieces go back on to aid his cause but he may need softer ground to be truly at his best. Iroko's lack of experience may have told when fourth 12 months ago and he had a valid excuse for underperforming when scoping dirty after the Ultima at Cheltenham, where the same owner's Johnnywho got the better of Jagwar. The latter is a particularly interesting runner and is equipped with first-time cheekpieces, but his tendency to clout the odd fence could hamper his claims. Panic Attack already has two major handicap successes to her name this campaign with the Paddy Power/Coral Gold Cup double and she has to be respected along with Monty's Star, who ran with plenty of promise in the Irish Gold Cup, Haiti Couleurs and Captain Cody.