MAHLER MISSION (4.00) can get the job done in the Randox Grand National on Day Three of the Aintree Festival.

John McConnell’s horse showed class and abundant stamina throughout his novice hurdle career. The gelding jumped well when second to Chemical Energy on first try over fences at Cheltenham. He did his reputation no harm when third to Must Be Obeyed in another hot race at Punchestown. The eight-year-old built on those efforts when slamming Tenzing in a slightly better event at Navan.

He quickly stayed on track when chinned by Churchstonewarrior in Grade 2 company back there. The bay then looked in to be in control when falling two out in Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase. Given plenty of time to recover, he returned over an inadequate 2m 4f in the Colin Parker at Carlisle.

The Irish raider showed he would be even better this term when second to the pacey Thunder Rock . He jumped and travelled with zest again when second to Datsalrightgino in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. The tough chaser is perfect for the rigours of this great race so he can strike for his shrewd trainer. JOHNNYWHO (1:20) is the name to remember in the competitive William Hill Handicap Hurdle.

Jonjo O’Neill’s charge was a winning pointer who land his sole bumper in good style at Taunton. The son of Califet looked a decent hurdler in the making when hosing-up on debut at Carlisle.

He ran well again over 2m 4f when fourth to Captain Teague in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury. The seven-year-old wasn’t disgraced again when fourth to Gidleigh Park in a Cheltenham Grade 2. He put in another respectable shift when eighth over three miles in the Albert Bartlett back there. The bay looked better suited to handicapping so he can cash-in on a fair mark for his in-form yard.

The Jackdaws’ Castle Ace can double-up with MISTER MEGGIT (5:35) in the Weatherbys Bumper. The six-year-old was a well-fancied 11-4 shot ahead of his racecourse debut at Carlisle in November. He duly delivered the goods with a hugely convincing 12-length defeat of the promising Denemethy.

The gelding took his form up another notch when powering to victory from De Kingpin at Doncaster. There is plenty more to come from this pacey type who can add this competitive Grade 2 to his CV. CALDWELL POTTER (1:55) looks a smart recruit for Paul Nicholls in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.

The grey developed into a reasonable bumper performer for his former trainer Gordon Elliott. Still with the Meath Ace, he was a good second to It's For Me on his timber bow at Punchestown. The gelding put that run to excellent use when absolutely bolting-up from Gorgeous Tom at Navan. That triumph earned him a tilt at the Grade 1 Future Champions Novices’ Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The six-year-old justified that decision with an impressive defeat of the talented Predators Gold . The strong-traveller should be even better for Team Ditcheat so he can enjoy more top-level glory. CRUZ CONTROL (2:30) can dominate the valuable Freebooter Handicap Chase for Tom Lacey.

The useful hurdler showed real promise on his first two outings over fences at Ffos Las and Ascot. He soon put those efforts to good use when decisively defeating Glory And Honour at Newcastle.

The seven-year-old ran yet another stormer over 2m 4f when second to his old rival at Doncaster. The bay looked ready for stiffer test of stamina when chinned by Raffle Ticket back on Town Moor. He didn’t stay four-miles when fifth behind Anglers Crag in the Eider back at Newcastle in February. However, he proved that three miles was his best trip when slamming Jet Legs at the same venue.

The bold-galloper scored with plenty in hand so he can defy a 6lb penalty for his in-form handler. FLOORING PORTER (3:05) can deck his rivals for Gavin Cromwell in the JRL Liverpool Hurdle. The gelding hit the headlines by making every yard to win the 2021 Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The superstar successful defended his title with a similarly commanding display 12 months later. A slight tail-off in form over timber saw Cromwell send the nine-year-old novice chasing this term. All looked well when he showed the classy Broadway Boy no mercy on debut back at Cheltenham. However, he jumped left when a tame third to Favori De Champdou in a Grade 2 at Punchestown.

The bay was untidy again when filling the same spot behind Grangeclare West at Leopardstown. He relished a return to hurdling at Cheltenham when second to Teauphoo in this year’s Stayers’. That was another mighty effort so this likeable type can resume winning ways in a warm Grade 1.

HERCULE DU SEUIL (5:00) has all the answers for Wille Mullins in the Maghull Novices’ Chase. The gelding oozed class when thrashing Ballyadam on his second run over fences at Ballinrobe. The bay kept up the good work with an emphatic defeat of solid yardstick Solness at Killarney. He confirmed his superiority over that rival when coasting home in a Galway Festival Grade 3. The seven-year-old stayed on the rise when easing clear of Calico in a similar race at Roscommon.

He then showed guts as well as class when narrowly denying Senecia at Punchestown in October. The star has been allowed to develop so he can reward that patience by claiming his first Grade 1.

MY GRAND NATIONAL BIG FOUR:

1st - MAHLER MISSION – John McConnell’s raider has the right mix of jumping and galloping for this unique test. Nicely unexposed as a handicapper and aimed at this prize since superb second in Coral Gold Cup

2nd - CORACH RAMBLER – Magnificent winner last year for Lucinda Russell and not disgraced against the best since. Still fairly-treated and will be fighting fit after cracking third in Cheltenham Gold Cup.

3rd – LATENIGHTPASS – Top hunter loves these fences and even better over Cheltenham’s tricky cross-country track this term. Won’t mind stepping-up to this marathon trip and can go close for skilled Tom Ellis.

4th - MINELLA INDO – Class act lifted the 2021 Gold Cup for National experts Rachael Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead. Has dropped back on an attractive mark and he will love the soft ground and daunting fences.