TODAY'S Grand National has got it all. There are so many special story lines and with 14 of last year's runners back for more the race is bang up to scratch.

On His Own, my selection last year, looks to copy West Tip, who fell at Bechers Brook when going well in 1985 before going on to land the world's most famous race 12 months later.

The nine-year-old, who started his career with Howard Johnson, runs in the colours of Newcastle businessman Graham Wylie and has been trained with this race in mind all year.

Ace jockey Ruby Walsh, whose young sister has a live chance on Seabass, is set to take the ride for Willie Mullins, who saddled Hedgehunter to victory in 2005.

The trainer was in a bullish mood yesterday, saying: "He seems to have arrived at the track in good order and I don't think the drying ground will be any harm to him.

"He had a setback earlier in the season and because of that we haven't been able to get three or four runs into him.

"There was nothing suitable for him after his first run back over hurdles, but he's here now and in good shape, so I'm happy enough with that."

The Irish champion trainer has two other interesting contenders in Quel Esprit and Quiscover Fontaine.

Quel Esprit won last year's Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown and was last of four in the same race this year - his only start of the current campaign.

"These are the sort of races you train for and I'd love to train the winner again," said Mullins. "Quel Esprit is a Grade One winner and I think he'll handle the trip.

"He'd probably prefer softer ground, ideally, but the trip should bring his stamina into play.

"He's had a few blips in Grade One races over fences, but his jumping is generally good."

Quiscover Fontaine made it as far as the 17th fence in last year's National.

Mullins said: "He was jumping well until he parted company with David (Casey) last year.

"Pedigree-wise, he should have no trouble with the trip, even though he has never won beyond two and a half miles.

"He has run well in an Irish Grand National before and he has a lovely racing weight."

Neptune Collonges last year showed the classier horses with plenty of weight can still do it and this year former Gold Cup winner, Imperial Commander, bids to be the first horse since Red Rum in 1977 to carry top weight to success.

In truth, the handicapper has give Nigel Twiston-Davies' 12-year-old a big chance. Once rated 185, he could well have been let in lightly off 158.

Twiston-Davies has trained two previous National winners in Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002), but admits victory for his 2010 Gold Cup hero would be the highlight of his career.

He said: "It wouldn't get any better than that. All is good. We're very happy with the horse.

"I'm not worried about the statistics. Red Rum won it as a 12-year-old, so there's no reason why we can't do it.

"I think he's as good as ever."

With his regular rider Paddy Brennan forced to miss the race due to suspension, the trainer's son Sam comes in for the ride and they bid to be the first father and son combination to win since Ruby Walsh teamed up with his father Ted to win with Papillon in 2000.

I always like to put up an outsider at a price in this race and I'm hoping Soll could out- run his price of 40-1.

The eight-year-old can be a little in and out, but should relish the trip and is a bold front runner who is getting weight from all his rivals.