Iroko best-handicapped National contender in likely absence of Mr Vango

Timeform’s best-handicapped horse heading into Saturday’s Grand National is the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained Iroko with a rating of 183p, ahead of the Gavin Cromwell-trained duo, Stumptown (182) and Perceval Legallois (181).

Mr Vango does top the weight-adjusted ratings on 184 but looks unlikely to get a run in the race, still needing six to come out.

Mr Vango (184)

Mr Vango is clearly a thorough stayer and proved better than ever on Timeform's figures when grinding his way to victory in the Midlands National last time, but he's unlikely to get a run in the Grand National as he still needs six to come out.

Iroko (183p)

Timeform chase handicapper Phil Turner’s view: "I'm still very keen on both Iroko and Perceval Legallois. Bar a luckless early fall at Ascot, Iroko has had pretty much the perfect prep as his mark hasn’t gone up and he has shaped as if retaining all of his ability.

"He looks to possess the right blend of speed and stamina which usually plays well around Aintree, whilst his second place to Inothewayurthinkin at the meeting last year clearly reads even better now.”

Stumptown (182)

Turner’s view: “I personally don’t fancy Stumptown at current odds. He's a very likeable sort and has clearly been transformed by cross-country fences, but his last run over conventional fences saw him manage only third off a BHA mark of 147 so he could prove vulnerable to classier rivals off 10 lb higher here (even though, theoretically, he’s got a good chance at the figures).

“Cross-country horses have got a good recent record at Aintree, but I think he'd be a much bigger price if contesting the Irish or Scottish Nationals this spring off his current mark.”

Perceval Legallois (181)

Turner’s view: "Perceval Legallois has had jumping issues in the past, but the same could have been said about I Am Maximus 12 months ago and it’s probably best not to dwell on that too much given Aintree’s much-modified fences.

"The Paddy Power Chase is regularly one of the roughest races in the calendar and he was notably strong at the death when winning that (the form has largely worked out well too), whilst he also showed his liking for hurly-burly of big fields when winning over hurdles last time. He’s probably overpriced at 14/1.”

Hyland (180)

Turner’s view: "You could definitely make a case for Hyland and it could be argued that he’s over-priced because of Nicky Henderson’s poor record in race – Rule The World and Noble Yeats are recent examples that novices can win over the modified fences."

Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings for the Grand National:

184 Mr Vango

183p Iroko

182 Stumptown

181 Perceval Legallois

180 Hyland

179+ Intense Raffles

179 Hewick

178 Threeunderthrufive

178 Vanillier

178 Three Card Brag

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