He has already won one 'National' this season and while no one would dare to argue that Sandown's London version will ever compare to tomorrow's Grand National at Aintree, Kilbeggan Blade has plenty going for him.

The trends certainly make a solid case for the 10-year-old, who is trained by Tom George.

Like every winner of the world's most famous chase since Gay Trip in 1970, he has previously won over three miles or further over fences, a statistic that rules out Irish Invader, Stan and Arteea.

And like each of the last 10 winners of the four-and-a-half mile marathon, he has had at least 10 starts over fences and between four and six runs during that season.

Pinstickers' Guide: The Grand National runners and riders

The same cannot be said for rivals that include Parson's Legacy, Darkness, Chelsea Harbour, Offshore Account, Fleet Street, Brooklyn Brownie, Reveillez, Fundamentalist, Himalayan Trail or previous National winners Silver Birch and Comply Or Die.

Looking better the further he went, Kilbeggan Blade won the three-mile six-furlong chase at Sandown in December off an official mark of 137, which was upped to 141. That's another box ticked, since the last 10 winners of the National were rated between 136 and 141.

Crucially, Kilbeggan Blade jumps for fun. He has never fallen in a 31-race career. Furthermore, he has winning form on good ground and should Graham Lee be passed fit tomorrow to ride after suffering a shoulder injury, he'll have the assistance of a Grand National-winning jockey aboard.

Another hopeful with a solid chance is Keith Reveley's Rambling Minster, who was fifth behind Kilbeggan Blade at Sandown and has subsequently shown himself to be in good shape with wins at Cheltenham and Haydock.

Dual-National winner Ruby Walsh passed over the ride on his father Ted's Southern Vic, who would probably appreciate easier ground. Yet the statistics are against his chosen mount, the Paul Nicholls-trained favourite My Will, who shoulders 11st 4lb because only Hedgehunter has carried more than 11st to victory since Corbiere in 1982.

Former Hennessy Gold Cup winner State Of Play looks extremely well handicapped on his best form while of those at bigger odds, Cloudy Lane, Chelsea Harbour and Knowhere may have too much weight, but they have undoubted class and both possess abundant stamina to stay on.

Milham's verdict on the big race

1 Kilbeggan Blade
2 State Of Play
3 Rambling Minster
4 Chelsea Harbour

Pinstickers' Guide: The Grand National runners and riders