Like him or loathe him, Phil Smith has transformed the Randox Health Grand National over the last 19 years, with his approach attracting star-studded names such as Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Synchronised, Long Run and Lord Windermere. Don't forget too the much loved, and sadly missed, Many Clouds, a horse that defied the welter-burden of 11st 9lb when triumphing under Leighton Aspell in 2015.
This will be Smith's 20th and final National before he heads into retirement. Therefore, a repeat of the 2012 photo-finish - when Neptune Collonges collared Sunnyhillboy in the shadows of the post - would be a fitting send-off for the Liverpool-born handicapper.
As we all know, spending hours thumbing your way through the form-book can prove a fruitless task where the Aintree marathon is concerned. However, with the last six winners returning at SP's of 33/1, 66/1, 25/1, 25/1, 33/1 and 14/1, clearly it pays to look for a horse who encompasses both ability and value in equal measure.
Step forward SEEYOUATMIDNIGHT, for whom this race has been the target for a very long time.
Sandy Thompson's lightly-raced ten-year-old boasts form-figures of 3111731P3 over fences, which includes victories over ante-post favourite Blaklion, wide-margin Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai, and last year's Aintree hero One For Arthur, who also flew the flag for Scottish racing.
Third in the 2016 Scottish Grand National, when beaten by the now dual winner of the race Vicente, the talented son of Midnight Legend ticks many boxes, with rock-solid form over two-and-a-half plus, a proven ability to act on varying types of ground, and a nice racing weight of 10st 11lb. It all points to a bold bid.
A pleasing return to action at Newbury on Saturday should put Seeyouatmidnight spot-on for Aintree. He looks to be a fair price at 25/1 NRNB /BOG with Sky Bet.
Vintage Clouds, who would represent 2013-winning trainer Sue Smith and 2005, 2011 and 2015-winning owner Trevor Hemmings, could also run well if making the field.
That is a fair pedigree to start with. However, a more thorough examination of the battle-hardened eight-year-old's form provides further reason for optimism.
Placed in nine of his 12 starts over fences, the grey will compete from the very same mark from which he placed third in the ultra-competitive Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival two weeks ago.
His solitary success over fences came at Aintree earlier this season. His versatility in terms of ground is always advantageous when weighing up the pros and cons of an ante-post wager.
Currently sitting at number 52 on the list of contenders, the participation of Vintage Clouds looks unlikely at present. But, if indeed he does scrape into the race, his consistent profile and proven ability to perform off his current rating make him a lively candidate. Therefore, he is also worth supporting at 33/1 NRNB / BOG with Sky Bet.
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