Held in high regard by Paul Nicholls since his novice hurdle days, Taranis had developed into a high class chaser, winning a number of feature races including the Grade 1 James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal in November 2007. Unfortunately, a month later Taranis broke down when taking on Kauto Star in the King George VI Chase at Kempton and had been off the track while going through rehabilitation.

It is a tremendous credit to Nicholls that he was able to produce the French-bred nine-year-old to win at the first time of asking against smart company after a 25 month absence. Taranis didn’t just win, he fairly hacked up, cruising around the back for the first circuit before creeping into contention three out and then powering home up the Cheltenham hill to beat the very useful Carruthers with a bit in hand.

The immediate talk after the race was of Taranis providing a fifth string to the Nicholls bow in the Gold Cup in seven weeks time, but mention was also made of a possible tilt at the Grand National if the horse comes out of this race unscathed.

It would be some story if the gelded son of Mansonnien could return from a career-threatening injury to win the greatest steeplechase of all. The Grand National betting odds make him as long as 33/1 for the big race, but a decision as to whether he will be allowed to take his chance will come after the weights have been published. If the handicapper gives him a sporting chance, then it is possible that Taranis might get the green light to tackle the awesome Aintree fences.

The Grand National 2010 looks set to attract some of the best quality horses for years, with the likes of former Gold Cup winner War of Attrition, Hennessey winner State of Play and Irish star Notre Pere all potential starters. Recent National heroes Comply or Die and defending champion Mon Mome, who has been shaping up very promisingly so far this term, are also in contention.

Irish Raptor had first shown a penchant for the unique Aintree fences when leading until the second from home before fading into seventh in the 2007 Topham Chase. In a tremendous finish to the 2008 renewal Twiston Davies’ charge went down with all guns blazing when failing by only a neck to peg back the gambled-on Gwanako, but 12 months later got his just reward for tremendous consistency at Aintree when holding on gamely to beat Ireland’s Oodachee by a couple of lengths.

Some 2010 grand national entries just seem to be tailor-made for the Merseyside challenge and having raced five times in one lap events at Aintree (he also finished 6th in the 2008 Becher Chase before coming a cropper at the second fence in the same event 12 months later) Irish Raptor has shown that, particularly in April and on a decent surface, he is a serious threat to any horse at Aintree.

A proven stayer who has won at tough tracks like Sandown and Cheltenham over distances in excess of three miles, the 11-year-old has this year been prepared with the Grand National as his principal target. Twiston-Davies knows exactly what is required to win the day and at around 40/1 in the ante-post market there are good reasons for believing that Irish Raptor will give supporters a great run for their money.

The handicapper has allotted Irish Raptor 10st 7lbs, a perfect racing mark, but a figure that will mean that at least 20 horses above the Zaffaran gelding in the weights will have to drop out to give him a shot at Aintree glory. I believe there is every chance that they will and ‘NTD’s’ grand sort will make the starting line-up on for the 2010 Grand National.

Winner of the Becher Chase at Aintree earlier this season, Dessie Hughes’ charge had, (like so many other serious Grand National Runners, been kept to hurdles events through the winter whilst the handicapper was working out the weights for the race. Having been allotted 11st 6lbs, Hughes returned the 10-year-old son of Old Vic to fences for the Bobbyjo, and he duly ran out a comfortable 8-length winner from stable companion Black Appalachi, another Grand National candidate who shaped well and also looks bang on course for a return visit to Merseyside.

The prevailing soft ground proved ideal for Vic Venturi, who was never far from the pace and took up the running three out before surging away from his rivals. Similar underfoot conditions for Hughes’ gelding would be a distinct bonus on National day as he clear relishes give in the ground.

Flood reported that his mount had given him a great feel throughout the three-mile-one-furlong contest and that he (Vic Venturi) felt as if he had improved further compared to his winning performance at Aintree in the autumn. For his part, Hughes was delighted with both the winner and the runner-up and is convinced he has two very serious Grand National candidates this time around.

On the back of this performance it came as no surprise that punters were interested to have a wager on Vic Venturi who is now generally on offer at around 14/1 amongst the Grand National Race Horses, a price that could contract further as the big event approaches.

A horse that clearly stays well, jumps soundly and has consistently acquitted himself well when facing quality opposition, Vic Venturi is surely one of Ireland’s leading hopes to bring the John Smith’s Grand National back to the Emerald Isle.

Only a seven-year-old, French bred Possol has already proved himself to be a talented performer, last season giving weight and a beating to subsequent Grand National hero Mon Mome in a hot Haydock staying handicap, before running a cracker to be a fine second to Nacarat in Kempton’s Racing Post Trophy. His subsequent disappointing effort in a handicap at the Cheltenham Festival is attributed to him not having sufficient time to recover from his effort at Kempton, and his following outing in the Kilmany Cup at Perth when beating the very useful Ollie Magern, showed that Possol is a very progressive horse.

This term, almost certainly by way of wishing to protect his handicap mark for the John Smith’s Grand National 2010, Daly his campaigned the gelding exclusively over timber and has been rewarded with victories at Ascot and Doncaster, showing that the horse is equally adept over both kinds of obstacles and is clearly in very good heart.

Possol has a touch of class about him, stays very well indeed, goes particularly well on the ‘good’ ground that is so often prevalent at Aintree and has never fallen in 19 racecourse appearances. Of those 19 runs, he has won or been placed fifteen times, proving himself a model of consistency whilst gradually climbing up the handicapping ladder.

Another crack at the Racing Post Chase at the end of February is very much on the cards, whilst Possol also holds an entry in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. It would be a surprise if he were to run in both though, as he seems to need a break between races.

There are good reasons for believing that Possol is a serious contender for Aintree honours, something to consider when placing your Grand National Free Bets.

Every month we will list the updated odds so you can easily see any movements in price. The Chase season is now well and truly underway, already a few big runners seem to be pointed at the National. The bookmakers already have Vic Venturi as the 16/1 favorite, with Niche Market second at 20/1.

Here are the latest odds from Paddy Power Bookmakers. Remember Ante Post rules apply to all bets made now. (In other words, you’ll lose your money if it doesn’t run!)

Vic Venturi ~ 16/1

Niche Market ~ 20/1

Tricky Trickster ~ 28/1

State Of Play ~ 25/1

Black Apalachi ~ 25/1

Comply Or Die ~ 25/1

Character Building ~ 25/1

Big Fella Thanks ~ 25/1

My Will ~ 25/1

Backstage ~ 25/1

Hello Bud ~ 25/1

Don’t Push It ~ 25/1

Gallant Nuit ~ 25/1

Arbor Supreme ~ 25/1

Irish Raptor ~ 33/1

Mon Mome ~ 33/1

Butler’s Cabin ~ 33/1

Notre Pere ~ 33/1

Possol ~ 33/1

Nine De Sivola ~ 33/1

War Of Attrition ~ 33/1

Having seen Niche Market run a few times he wouldn’t be my choice for the second place favorite! Tricky Trickster would seem like a better bet at 28/1 certainly has a great each way shot.