The Last may be first once again despite a rise in the weights

BetBright Grimthorpe Handicap Chase | 3m2f, 5yo+ | ITV/ATR

Rooney could be a big name on Merseyside once again this year, whether or not the speculation linking England star Wayne with a move back to Everton proves correct.

Paul and Clare Rooney went close to landing last season's Grand National with runner-up The Last Samuri and he is set to carry the owners' colours at Aintree once again next month.

Twelve months ago their chaser scored an impressive success in this race and trainer Kim Bailey has long had it in mind as a warm-up once again for a nine-year-old, who was a close third in the Becher Chase over the National fences in December.

Definitly Red is also entered for Aintree and is reckoned by trainer Brian Ellison to have been on his way to finishing second when he unseated his rider three out in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January.

A good guide to the spring prizes

This is not just a warm-up for the Grand National. Run For Paddy went on from victory here to take the Scottish Grand National, so too did Grey Abbey, while other winners also fared well in the Ayr marathon.

Lower weights on top of late

This has not always been a race for the class horses and The Last Samuri last year was the first winner to carry more than 10st 12lb since 2008.

Definitely harder for Red

Definitly Red beat Wakanda by seven lengths when the pair were first and second in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby over Christmas and he is 7lb worse off at the weights with that rival this time. He is 10lb worse off with the remote fourth Yala Enki.

Festival options

Vivaldi Collonges is entered in the Grand National and in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham, while Yala Enki and Looking Well are both in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the festival.

What they say:

Kim Bailey, trainer of The Last Samuri
This is his prep race for the National and I'm happy with him. He has top weight and weight will stop most horses eventually. He's only 15-3 so it's a lot of weight to carry, but he's very tough and I'm happy with him.

Sue Smith, trainer of Wakanda
I was a bit disappointed with him at Haydock last time but it was big field and a competitive race. I don't know whether he can turn the tables with Definitly Red, but he's in good form and this is a handy-sized field so I hope he'll run a big race.

Brian Ellison, trainer of Definitly Red
He's in good form and he's schooled well. I think he was going to be second when he got unseated at Haydock and he was hating the ground that day, he doesn't mind it soft or heavy but it was tacky and holding that day.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Vivaldi Collonges
He is a funny horse. He had a good spring last season and a small field suits him. He needs to go somewhere before the National and there aren't many options.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Yala Enki
He's up against Definitly Red again and was well behind him at Wetherby, but any rain that falls will be helpful.

Alan King, trainer of Sego Success
He's been a bit disappointing but he's never been the most consistent horse and is a bit hit and miss. He's pretty talented on his day and does seem in good form. He's also run well at Doncaster before.

Nicky Richards, trainer of Looking Well
He ran a cracker in the Sky Bet Chase and we expect him to run equally well this time. He wouldn't want too much rain but it was soft last time there so he should be okay on it.

Ultima Handicap Chase card and betting