Why Escaria Ten tickes all the boxes for Grand National glory

While his jumping may not have been suited to the unique test that Aintree posed 20 years ago, since the modifications to the fences the classier types have tended to come to the fore.

The fact Escaria Ten is quick and slick over his obstacles should not be the barrier to success it once would have been - and if he is still in contention going out for the second circuit his class edge could prevail.

This is a horse who was sent off 11-4 favourite for a red-hot renewal of the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season and when he landed in front on jumping the last he looked like rewarding his supporters.

In the end Galvin, placed in the Gold Cup last month and a Grade One winner this season, and Next Destination, a Grade One winner over hurdles, just had a better turn of foot than him.

Escaria Ten then went to the Irish National but after an early mistake he could never get involved and was pulled up.

First time out this season - which has been solely concerned with this race - he ran a respectable race in eighth in the Thyestes before he was beaten a nose by Any Second Now in the Bobbyjo Chase.

The result of that race does not tell the whole story as Escaria Ten was the winner everywhere but the line and simply got a bit bored being out in front on his own.

He wore first-time blinkers at Fairyhouse, which are retained here, and expect Adrian Heskin to play his hand fairly late.

Others to note include the aforementioned Any Second Now, but his big chance was off a lower weight last year when he suffered interference, the Thyestes winner Longhouse Poet and Eclair Surf, based on his proximity to easy Scottish National winner Win My Wings in the Eider.

It is not all about the Grand National, though, and