See also » Hughes-strengthens-National-challenge
He was not really right last year, and it was hard to keep weight on him. He seems to be back to himself, and we put the blinkers on today to sharpen him up. He jumped around Aintree last year in the Topham, and will go for the National now,. D T Hughes, trainer

A steeplechase for five yrs old and upwards that, at entry, are rated 145 or less
Weights - 5-y-o 10st 8lb; 6-y-o and up 11st 3lb; Mares allowed 5lb
Allowances - Horses that have not won a steeplechase before 3rd May, 2009 allowed .3lb
Penalties - (Handicaps excluded) to count from 1st January, 2010 Winner of steeplechases collectively value E25,000 or a Grade 3 steeplechase 4lb extra; Of two Grade 3 steeplechases or a Grade 2 steeplechase...................... 6lb extra; Of a Grade 1 steeplechase 8lb extra;