....and their view after today's announcements
Last year's winner Numbersixvalverde has been allotted "more or less" the weight his handler Martin Brassil expected at Tuesday's John Smith's Grand National weights launch at the Savoy Hotel in London.
The 11-year-old will have to carry 11st 3lb as he bids to become the first horse since Red Rum to score in back-to-back Nationals.
The British Horseracing Board's senior Handicapper Phil Smith has handed him a rating 11lb higher than that at the equivalent stage 12 months ago.
"His weight is more or less what I thought it would be, as you could not expect him to have the same weight after winning last year," said Brassil.
"The horse is sound and will probably have two more runs before the race, firstly in the Bobbyjo Chase (at Fairyhouse on February 24) and then perhaps in a hurdle race some time in March.
"He's in a good frame of mind at the moment, you would just be hoping for a lot of luck in running. 'Slippers' Madden would ride again, as he did nothing wrong last time."
Numbersixvalverde is one of five 14-1 co-favourites with
William Hill in company with compatriots Dun Doire, Far From Trouble, Hedgehunter and Point Barrow.
Francois Doumen has four possibles with Kelami (10st 12lb) and Innox (10st 8lb) looking his more likely runners at this stage.
Gold Cup-bound L'Ami (11st 8lb) and Nitrat (9st 11lb) are his other hopefuls.
"I don't want to commit L'Ami to the National yet. I will run him in the Gold Cup, see how that goes, then talk to the owner about the National," said the Frenchman.
"Nitrat needs another run first to see how he is, I am a bit cautious about him.
"You would say Kelami and Innox would be likely runners. Kelami was unlucky when he fell in the National before, but he is a wonderful jumper.
"He's a bit better this year and I am quite keen on his chances."
Ginger McCain may have handed over the running of his yard to his son Donald, but he remains very much an integral part of the business and the National would not be the same without him.
Along with Inca Trail (10st 2lb) who finished eighth last year, they also have the interesting French recruit Maurice (10st 4lb).
"Maurice was bought by Mr (Trevor) Hemmings and is supposed to be one of the best novice chasers in France," he said.
"We have only been running him over hurdles so far to protect his weight and he is going to need a run over fences to see if he is a National-quality horse. He has a good weight.
"Inca Trail might be struggling to get in. He ran a big race in it last year and a cracker in the Becher. He's an Aintree horse and if he doesn't get in, he'd go for the Topham. He'd be the one I'd fancy if he got in."
Alan King has yet to taste success in the greatest race of them all and looks set to rely on Kandjar D'Allier (10st 8lb) this time.
"This has always been the plan for Kandjar D'Allier," he said. "He stands very little
racing and will go to the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup on Saturday then if he runs well, probably straight to the National. I'm not worried about his weight - he'll get in.
"Tikram (10st 5lb) is probably less likely to go. He will go to Cheltenham for either the two mile and five or the three-mile handicap, but would be an unlikely starter in the National."
Tom George is delighted with the 11st 2lb allotted to his Royal & SunAlliance Chase runner-up Idle Talk. He could also saddle two other runners.
"Idle Talk has all the right credentials for the race and he would go there after the Festival.
"Kilbeggan Blade (10st 2lb) runs in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup on Saturday and we will see how he gets on there.
"Lord Of Illusion (10st 8lb) was hampered by a loose horse last year and broke a blood vessel. He has been given a spring campaign and will go for the Kim Muir at Cheltenham and then the National.
"I'm happy with the weights, within reason. You'd always want them to carry a bit less though."
(reopens) Michael O'Brien refused to rule out the possibility of a tilt at the National with Gold Cup third Forget The Past, who was allotted 11st 9lb and is a 25-1 chance with
Coral.
"He was never travelling very well from the word go the other day (in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup) so I am going to have his back checked out again and his target will be the Ryanair Chase (at Cheltenham)," he said.
"If you look at all his form he is probably a better horse over two and a half or two mile six and even in the Gold Cup last year he didn't get the trip.
"I don't know about the National as I'll have to speak to his owner. They would get nice ground which will be a help as he wants it no worse than easy to soft.
"He won't go for the Gold Cup, though. We are hoping In Compliance does," he told At The Races