WELL-respected racing pundit and author MARK HOWARD from Kirkby Lonsdale gives his low-down on Saturday's Grand National.

HAVING scanned the entries, this Saturday's Grand National has a real quality look to it this year.

The race has attracted more high-class chasers than ever before and the days of a rank outsider obliging appear to be remote, if not non-existent.

With that in mind, Ginger McCain's dream that Amberleigh House can add to Red Rum's record in the 1970's is unlikely to materialise.

Nicky Henderson's Marlborough heads the weights with 11st 10lb but my two strong fancies for the race are both due to carry 10st 13lb.

DAVID'S LAD and AD HOC have been targeted at the race for sometime now and both horses are markedly better horses at this time of the year.

David's Lad, who is trained by one of the most astute trainers in England and Ireland, Tony Martin, won the 2001 Irish Grand National.

The eight-year-old has not repeated that level of form in his most recent starts this term but his 'prep' in the Cathcart Chase at the Cheltenham Festival was eye-catching, to say the least.

Martin was interviewed beforehand and he remarked on how David's Lad had only just started coming to himself within the last two to three weeks and he stated that he would be delighted if he

finished within a dozen lengths of the winner.

During the race itself, Timmy Murphy, who is such a vital ingredient for the horse's chance at Aintree, was noticeably easy on him throughout.

At the penultimate fence, David's Lad was within three lengths of Royal Auclair but his lack of fitness began to tell from that point onwards.

He will arrive in Merseyside at the peak of his fitness.

Good ground would possibly be his favoured surface but he has the ability to handle most surfaces.

David's Lad should have no problems with the fences, he has the speed to win over two miles, so he will have no trouble lying up with the frenetic early pace.

He must have a huge chance and he should be supported now as he won't be 14/1 on the day itself.

Ad Hoc also made an appearance at the Festival, and he too ran well in third behind Frenchman's Creek in the William Hill Handicap Chase.

Disappointing on his first two starts at Newbury and Ascot, he did, of course, show his best form in the Whitbread Gold Cup last season when ridden by Ruby Walsh.

The stylish Paul Carberry will be on board on Saturday.

Strictly on his Whitbread success, Ad Hoc looks a blot on the handicap as he looked a future Cheltenham Gold contender on that evidence.

Latest reports from Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat camp is that the eight-year-old has been delighting his connections and he is confidently expected to run a big race.

If readers are finding it difficult to split the pair, I would also recommend a reverse forecast.

So which horse is going to finish third ? Tony McCoy is of the opinion that Blowing Wind would have gone extremely close to winning the race twelve months ago but for being brought down on the second circuit.

He still has to prove that he will stay this stamina-sapping trip and he represents no value at his current single-figure price.

Ad Hoc's owner, Sir Robert Ogden is also responsible for Kingsmark.

Trained by Martin Todhunter at Orton, he is set to carry 11st 7lb, which is not ideal, but I would give him a solid each-way chance.

The key to Kingsmark is the fact that he must be fresh to produce his true form and the National will be his first race since chasing Legal Right home at Haydock in December.

Horses who have won over the Mildmay course at Aintree have an uncanny knack of running well over the National fences, so the fact Kingsmark was successful there last year is another plus point.

Bindaree, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, is another to

consider as he looks potentially well treated off a weight of 10st 2lb.

A fine jumper, he has some top-class handicap form and the fact he races prominently throughout, is positive.

Cumbrian based jockey Tony Dobbin has come in for the ride on 'hunter chaser' Gunner Welburn.

A winner over the National fences last season, the ten-year-old would prefer some cut in the ground but has each-way prospects if he makes the cut for the 40-strong field.