Colbert Station - 10st 11Ib© Photo Healy Racing
Colm Murphy - Quito De La Roque (11st 5lb)
"I'd prefer if it was 5lb less but I'm happy enough with that weight. He has a good few other engagements as well, I'll speak to the owners (Gigginstown House Stud) about what they have got in mind but it's on the menu at the moment. The horse seems good and it's all systems go with him."
Paul Nolan - Joncol (10st 9lb)
"If we can get some issues with his back sorted, there should be improvement in the horse. His jumping the last day (in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown) left a lot to be desired.
"I'd be happy with 10st 9lb. He's a monster of a horse and weight doesn't make any difference to him. It's just a case of trying to get him right."
Thomas Gibney - Lion Na Bearnai (10st 9lb)
"I think that's very similar to his correct mark. This has been his aim all year but the season has not gone according to plan. We'll head for the Bobbyjo on Saturday week and then to Aintree.
"He won a Grade Two as well as the Irish National last year so he's got quality and stamina and if I can get him back in that sort of form he won't be a no-hoper."
Martin Lynch - Oscar Time (10st 7lb)
"He (Phil Smith, handicapper) has got us on a very similar rating to two years ago and to be honest I'd have thought we'd be a few pounds lower.
"I'd be happy running off that weight but if a few at the top came out I wouldn't want him to have much more than 11st as he's only a small horse.
"Tidal Bay looks to be very well handicapped to me. I expected something in the region of 142 so 145 is a bit high. I hope to get a run into him in the Bobbyjo, he'll certainly be entered.
"We need to be going there on the back of a completed run, so unseating last time was not much use to us. He's in very good form and it's all systems go, he still gives the impression that he retains his ability."
Tom Cooper - Forpadydeplasterer (10st 10lb)
"He's only rated 147 now as he was dropped 2lb the other day and Tidal Bay is 171 but we're only getting 14lb from him. That makes us 14lb wrong. I've spoken to the owners and they are quite happy to go for the National.
"He's 100% after Clonmel. The ground was very heavy but he's come out of it particularly well. Call The Police is not a bad horse and maybe we are on a downward slope, but he still wouldn't be out of place.
"I've got a hurdle race in mind at Leopardstown at the early March meeting."
Ted Walsh - Seabass (11st 2lb)
"I don't know how Seabass can get over 11st this year if Tidal Bay is rated 171 and my horse is rated 154. Whatever Phil Smith does, he does - it is immaterial to me and I can't change it. You don't have to be a great mathematician to subtract 54 from 71.
"Seabass will run somewhere in the next three weeks to a month. There is just over seven weeks to Liverpool so I would like to get a run into him. The Bobbyjo Chase at Naas and the Racing Plus Chase at Kempton are possible targets."
Ted Walsh - Colbert Station (10st 11lb)
"I wouldn't be worried about the ground for Colbert Station as it is never anything worse than good jumping ground at Aintree. He has 10st 6lb in the Racing Plus Chase at Kempton and is 3lb higher in England than he is in Ireland, which makes him worse off with Seabass in England.
"Like Seabass, Colbert Station will possibly have one more run. I have no idea where he will go at this stage as he only recently ran. I would also be looking at running him in three weeks to a month's time, which will be ideal timing for the National."
