Take a chance on Innox, at around 20-1, winning the John Smith's Grand National for France at Aintree tomorrow.

In a race, where the spotlight looks sure to focus on Carrie Ford, trying to become the first lady rider to win the world's greatest steeplechase on the strongly-fancied Forest Gunner, Robert Thornton is my tip to spoil the party on the Francois Doumen-trained raider.

From a stable which had two winners at last month's Cheltenham Festival, Innox has the right type of profile for a National winner. A runaway winner at Sandown in February, he has purposely been kept fresh for this Merseyside jackpot bid.

With no ground worries, being a previous scorer on very soft going, Innox should relish the marathon trip, having won at up to three-and-a-quarter miles and run well in defeat at three-and-three-quarter miles.

Although his jumping ability has at times raised a few eyebrows, Innox has improved in that department this season. He barely touched a twig on his latest victory and is certainly one to consider seriously.

Ford, the housewives' favourite, will surely enjoy a great ride from Forest Gunner, trained in Cheshire by her husband Richard.

She won the Fox Hunters' Chase on the gelding over a shortened version of the Grand National course 12 months ago - only ten weeks after having a baby - and although she quit riding afterwards, she has returned to the saddle for this special assignment.

Forest Gunner has proved himself most adept over these obstacles, winning the Becher Chase at Aintree earlier this season and underlining his well-being when landing the Grand National Trial at Haydock on his latest start.

A bold front-runner, he will be up with the leaders the whole way. The big question-mark is whether he can get home over this four-and-a-half miles, which is new territory for him.

Women trainers will also have a strong role. Lucinda Russell, based in Scotland, saddles Welsh Grand National runner-up Strong Resolve, the spring-heeled mount of Peter Buchanan, who has twice won on Forest Gunner this season.

Ireland's Francis Crowley will be represented by Nil Desperandum. A former high-class performer before losing his way last season, Nil Desperandum bounced back to form at Down Royal last time. A thorough stayer, he promises to run a big race at a big price.

Hedgehunter, the favourite, holds Nil Desperandum on Fairyhouse form in February, and is another Irish horse with rock-solid claims.

A last-fence faller when firmly in contention in last year's National, he has been trained with this year's race very much in mind and has to be on everyone's short-list.

Wonderful though it would be to see Graham Lee win back-to-back Nationals on Amberleigh House for Ginger 'Red Rum' McCain, the chances of it happening look slim, even though he will probably run well.

Amberleigh House, last year's hero, is now 13 years old and even allowing for his liking for the Aintree fences he would need to produce an extraordinary display to gain a repeat victory.

There is also a question mark over Clan Royal, last year's runner-up. He is from Jonjo O'Neill's stable, which has been blighted by a virus this season, so his well-being and fitness have to be taken on trust.

Take The Stand, despite running the race of his life to finish second to Kicking King in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month, does not jump well enough to cope with the Grand National obstacles.

Colnel Rayburn makes plenty of appeal with Paul Carberry on board. A mud-lover, he has been laid-out for this race by shrewd trainer Paul Nolan. And anybody fancying the chances of Forest Gunner must also consider Double Honour, who chased him home in gallant style at Haydock last month and is double the odds of his much-heralded rival.

Amateur rider Tom Greenall, who is attached to Mick Easterby's Sheriff Hutton stable, will ride Irish raider Glenelly Gale, a sound enough jumper but possibly lacking the stamina required.

Updated: 10:52 Friday, April 08, 2005