THE Young Master has what it takes to cut loose in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree.

When owner Robert Waley-Cohen bought into the eight-year-old, the Aintree spectacular was already in his mind and that of his son, Sam, who will once again be in the plate to tackle the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Trainer Neil Mulholland persuaded the team to step back from a National challenge last year and the decision paid dividends as The Young Master won the bet365 Gold Cup, but things have not gone quite so smoothly this term.

Admittedly, he made an inauspicious start over the National obstacles when falling two fences from home in the Becher Chase on his reappearance, while he cut little ice when put back over hurdles at Cheltenham in the Cleeve.

However, The Young Master looked much more like his old self when claiming a staying-on sixth in the Ultima Handicap Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival.

He got caught for a bit of pace, but kept on all the way up the hill to suggest that with a canny ride, this four-and-quarter-mile trip should be well within his compass.

Vieux Lion Rouge could well prove the closest challenger to The Young Master as he has been there and done it over the National fences and impressed when winning a trial event at Haydock in February.

Just A Par chased home The Young Master at Sandown and can improve on last year’s 15th place after turning in a really nice prep at Newbury, making him a couple of pounds well in here.

Cause Of Causes should also be thereabouts following his virtuoso performance over the cross-country course at Cheltenham and his eighth place in the National back in 2015.

Away from the National, Charbel can prove the star of the undercard by landing the Doom Bar Maghull Novices’ Chase, while Aux Ptits Soins might go well at a price in the Ryanair Stayers Liverpool Hurdle.

Le Breuil bypassed Cheltenham and Ben Pauling’s patience can pay dividends in the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle.

Punters can can shake off any lingering post-Grand National torpor by backing Baraza at Ffos Las on Sunday.

Tom George’s inmate must shoulder top weight in the two-mile handicap chase, but that does not look an insurmountable burden from what he has hitherto achieved over fences.

This drop in trip should work the oracle.

Dubai Celebrity should also be followed in the 32Red.com Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen.

The six-year-old gelding was the proverbial eyecatcher at Musselburgh last month when he flew home for second place in a handicap hurdle over an extended two miles.

Assuming this longer trip is what he wants, Dubai Celebrity looks a major player in first-time cheekpieces.