Two graded wins at Cheltenham last winter (one of them over three-and-a-half miles) showed that Joe Lively still has a serious engine and that his stamina for the marathon trip of the John Smith’s Grand National is all but guaranteed. In between his two Cheltenham victories, the Flemensfirth gelding ran a good sixth to Notre Pere in the Welsh Grand National, keeping on nicely at the finish.

Having appeared out of sorts for much of this term, it was good to see Joe Lively showing a bit of his old sparkle when running well to be third to the rejuvenated Taranis in the Grade 2 Argento Chase at Cheltenham at the end of January, an effort that possibly reminded handicapper Phil Smith of his capabilities and probably contributed to him being allotted 11st 6lbs in the Grand National weights.

A horse that has shown throughout his career that he is capable of running well on anything from ‘heavy’ ground to ‘good’ going, Joe Lively will doubtless be partnered by regular pilot Joe Tizzard who has ridden him to all nine of his career successes and knows exactly how to get the best out of a classy horse now nearing the veteran stage.

He is on offer at around 66/1 with Horse Race Betting and would not be without a chance of making the frame.