Aintree news: No surprises as big names all stand ground for Randox Grand National

A maximum field of 40 looks assured for the £1million showpiece, with Corach Rambler heading the market for Lucinda Russell.

Last year’s winner and recent Gold Cup fourth Noble Yeats will bid to join the likes of Red Rum and Tiger Roll as a multiple winner of world’s greatest steeplechase.

Venetia Williams, who won the prize in 2009 with 100/1 shot Mon Mome, will rely on Cloudy Glen for the late Trevor Hemmings, with Royale Pagaille bypassing the race for the Irish version added to the withdrawal of her Haydock Grand National Trial winner Quick Wave.

The defection of that duo means good news for trainers Sam Thomas and Gordon Elliott, who see Our Power and Dunboyne respectively sneaking in near the foot of the handicap, while Francky Du Berlais, Fortescue, Back On The Lash and Defi Bleu are also guaranteed a run.

Envoi Allen, The Shunter, Gin On Lime and Battleoverdoyen also had places in the field but were removed as the contenders were whittled down to 50, with the Elliott-trained Gevrey and Punitive, who are next on the list, potentially missing the cut.

Our Power, winner of four of his eight starts over fences, including Ascot’s London Gold Cup and the Coral Trophy at Kempton on his previous two runs, carries just 10st in the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon.

Dunboyne, who was runner-up in the Thyestes at Gowran Park and then fourth in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham, is one of seven sure of a place in the line-up for County Meath handler Elliott as he bids for a fourth win following the success of Silver Birch (2007) and Tiger Roll (2018 and 2019).

Delta Work and Galvin, who gave Elliott a one-two in Cheltenham’s cross-country chase, spearhead the Summerhill handler’s team, which also includes Coko Beach, Fury Road, Escaria Ten and the aforementioned Defi Bleu.

Any Second Now, who was runner-up to 50-1 winner Noble Yeats 12 months ago, tops the weights with 11st 12lb for Ted Walsh.

He is one of five horses who will bid to give owner JP McManus a third victory following those of Don’t Push It (2010) and Minella Times (2021).

No less than 34 of the 50 left are Irish-trained, with the all-conquering Willie Mullins set to saddle five in Capodanno, Carefully Selected, Gaillard Du Mesnil, Mr Incredible and Recite A Prayer.

Aintree going and rest of the entries for Saturday...

Latest going for the Mildmay & Hurdle courses: Good, Good to Firm (in places)

Forecast: There were showers, heavy at times, on Monday (3-8mm). Largely dry through the day on Tuesday; becoming wet and windy overnight into Wednesday, perhaps heavy at times (4-8mm). Sunny spells and scattered showers on Thursday (1-2mm), similar Friday with the chance of some heavier showers (2-4mm). Sunny spells and an occasional shower on Saturday (1-2mm).

1:45pm EFT Systems Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 1m 7f 176y

Banbridge (IRE) 7 Mr R. A. Bartlett Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Calico (GER) 7 Mr John J Reilly Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Fusain (FR) 8 Mr Eamon McElligott Patrick Neville

Jonbon (FR) 7 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Marvel de Cerisy (FR) 6 Mr C. B. Woods Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Notlongtillmay 7 Mr Alan Rogers L J Morgan

Saint Roi (FR) 8 Mr John P. McManus W. P. Mullins Ireland

Solo (FR) 7 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls

2:25pm Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 3m 149y

Ailie Rose (IRE) 7 Miss E. Hamilton S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland

An Tailliur (FR) 7 Mr P. Hickey Jonjo O'Neill

Au Fleuron (FR) 6 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Bardenstown Lad 8 Ms Caroline Ahearn John McConnell Ireland

Bells of Peterboro (IRE) 8 Mr S. Grys & Mr M. O'Boyle Tim Vaughan

Blenkinsop 6 Mrs L Nixon Henry Daly

Bold Endeavour 7 Countrywide Park Homes Ltd Nicky Henderson

Brandy McQueen (IRE) 6 Townshend, Fyffe, Irving & Graham Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford

Broadway Boy (IRE) 5 Mr D. M. Proos Nigel Twiston-Davies

Buddy One (IRE) 6 E. Lynch/T.C.Quinn/John J. McGrath Paul John Gilligan Ireland

Call Me Lord (FR) 10 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson Daryl Jacob

Captain Morgs (IRE) 7 The Albatross Club Nicky Henderson

Dallas des Pictons (FR) 10 Mrs Mary Lewis Dianne Sayer

Daly Tiger (FR) 10 Twist Your Arm Partnership L J Morgan

Dartan 6 Mr Killian McDonnell Matthew J. Smith Ireland Not Qualified

Dolphin Square (IRE) 9 Mr David Maxwell Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Equus Dancer (IRE) 9 Mr Roddy Owen Peter Bowen

Erne River (IRE) 8 Crossed Fingers Partnership Nick Kent

Gaelik Coast (FR) 9 Mr T. G. Leslie Donald McCain

Gatsby Grey (FR) 7 Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited Oliver McKiernan Ireland

Glimpse of Gala 7 The Tweed Clad Fossils Charlie Longsdon

Good Time Jonny (IRE) 8 A Shiels/Donal Gavigan/Niall Reilly A. J. Martin Ireland

Harbour Lake (IRE) 7 Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Alan King Tom Cannon

Hector Javilex (FR) 6 Mr David Mason Charlie Longsdon

Henry's Friend (IRE) 6 E Troup & Family Ben Pauling

Hititi (FR) 6 Dr & Mrs John Millar Robert Walford Bryan Carver

Hurricane Bay 7 The Hanseatic League Lucy Wadham

Itchy Feet (FR) 9 The Sherington Partnership Olly Murphy

Ivaldi (FR) 5 Mrs Johnny de la Hey Paul Nicholls

Johnson's Blue (IRE) 6 Geoff Wilson and Cambridge Racing Mark Walford Jamie Hamilton

Landrake 6 Caldwell Construction Ltd Gordon Elliott Ireland

Loup de Maulde (FR) 6 Martin Redman & Maurice Thomas Robbie Llewellyn Toby Wynne (5)

Martello Sky 7 The Sky Partnership Lucy Wadham Bryony Frost

Mexico (GER) 7 The High Kites Stuart Edmunds

Mill Green 11 Mrs Rita Brown Nicky Henderson

Molly Ollys Wishes 9 Mr Dean Pugh Dan Skelton

Moon Hunter 6 Five Go Racing Henry Daly

Outlaw Peter (IRE) 7 The Stewart Family,Dench,Ferguson&Mason Paul Nicholls

Party Business (IRE) 7 Eventmasters Racing Ian Williams Charlie Todd

Pounding Poet (IRE) 7 Mrs T. P. James Tom Lacey

Regarding Ruth (IRE) 9 Suiter Developments Ltd & JJW Wadham Lucy Wadham Bryony Frost

Santos Blue 6 Mr N. Sutton Dan Skelton

Starzov (IRE) 6 Mr James Guilfoyle P. J. Rothwell Ireland

Stellar Magic (IRE) 8 Mr Allan Stennett Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Trelawne 7 The Real Partnership Kim Bailey

Twig 8 Mrs G. Morgan Ben Pauling

Vina Ardanza (IRE) 6 Alymer Stud Ltd Gordon Elliott Ireland

Walking On Air (IRE) 6 Mrs Doreen Tabor Nicky Henderson

West Balboa (IRE) 7 Bullen-Smith & Faulks Dan Skelton

West To The Bridge (IRE) 10 Mr J. Tierney Dan Skelton

3:00pm Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Absolute Notions (IRE) 5 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

Altobelli (IRE) 5 Charlie Walker and Jonny Craib Harry Fry Bryan Carver

Authorised Speed (FR) 6 Gallagher Bloodstock Limited Gary Moore

Blenkinsop 6 Mrs L Nixon Henry Daly

Blow Your Wad (IRE) 5 Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Tom Lacey

Cool Survivor (IRE) 6 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Crambo 6 Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Fergal O'Brien Connor Brace

Dark Raven (IRE) 6 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Hallwood (FR) 6 DREPltd and Michael O'Flynn Mark Rimell Adam Wedge

Hermes Allen (FR) 6 Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & J Diver Paul Nicholls

Hourvari (FR) 6 Mrs Diana L. Whateley Olly Murphy

Howlingmadmurdock (IRE) 6 ValueRacingClub.co.uk Tom Lacey

Hullnback 6 We're Having A Mare (WHAM) Fergal O'Brien Paddy Brennan

Inthepocket 6 Mr John P. McManus Henry de Bromhead Ireland

Irish Point (FR) 5 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

Kateira 6 Little Lodge Farm & Dan Skelton Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Letsbeclearaboutit (IRE) 8 Alymer Stud Ltd Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Marble Sands (FR) 7 DL Adams, JA Adams & G McPherson Fergal O'Brien

Mofasa 7 Mrs Lynne Maclennan Michael Scudamore Luca Morgan

No Looking Back (IRE) 5 Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited Oliver McKiernan Ireland

Pikar (FR) 6 Yorton Racing Dan Skelton

Rock My Way (IRE) 5 Nick Case, Syd Hosie, John Romans Syd Hosie Nick Scholfield

Snake Roll (IRE) 6 The Ormello Way Lucinda Russell

Springwell Bay 6 Mrs Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill

Stony Man (IRE) 7 Lockdown Racing Gary Hanmer

Tahmuras (FR) 6 Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates Tahmuras Paul Nicholls

Theatre Man (IRE) 7 Burkes & Syders Richard Bandey

The Carpenter (IRE) 7 Owners Group 086 Nicky Henderson

Twinjets (IRE) 6 Mr C. W. Rodgers Milton Harris

Ukantango (IRE) 6 Mr Alan Peterson Olly Murphy

Uncle Bert 6 James & Jean Potter Ltd Nigel Twiston-Davies

You Wear It Well 6 Sir Chips Keswick Jamie Snowden

3:35pm JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m 149y

Brewin'upastorm (IRE) 10 Mrs Barbara Hester Olly Murphy

Champ (IRE) 11 Mr John P. McManus Nicky Henderson

Dashel Drasher 10 Mrs B Tully and Mr R Lock Jeremy Scott Rex Dingle

Eldorado Allen (FR) 9 J P Romans & Terry Warner Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell

Flooring Porter (IRE) 8 Flooring Porter Syndicate Gavin Cromwell Ireland

Home By The Lee (IRE) 8 Mr Sean O'Driscoll Joseph Patrick O'Brien Ireland

Itchy Feet (FR) 9 The Sherington Partnership Olly Murphy

Marie's Rock (IRE) 8 Middleham Park Racing XLII Nicky Henderson

Meet And Greet (IRE) 7 Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited Oliver McKiernan Ireland

Monmiral (FR) 6 Sir A Ferguson G Mason J Hales & L Hales Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden

Proschema (IRE) 8 Empire State Racing Partnership Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

Sire du Berlais (FR) 11 Mr John P. McManus Gordon Elliott Ireland

Teahupoo (FR) 6 Robcour Gordon Elliott Ireland

Thyme Hill 9 The Englands and Heywoods Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

4:15pm William Hill Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 3m 210y

Balco Coastal (FR) 7 Mr Mark Blandford Nicky Henderson

Beauport (IRE) 7 Bryan & Philippa Burrough Nigel Twiston-Davies

Bowtogreatness (IRE) 7 Harry Redknapp & Sophie Pauling Ben Pauling

Caribean Boy (FR) 9 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson Daryl Jacob

Castle Robin (IRE) 8 Bradley Partnership Charlie Longsdon Paul O'Brien

Celebre d'Allen (FR) 11 Mr Allan Stennett Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Chemical Energy (IRE) 7 Caldwell Construction Ltd Gordon Elliott Ireland

Coconut Splash (IRE) 8 Mr & Mrs William Rucker Evan Williams

Cooper's Cross (IRE) 8 J Fyffe & S Townshend Stuart Coltherd

Daly Tiger (FR) 10 Twist Your Arm Partnership L J Morgan

Darrens Hope (IRE) 9 Robert Murphy Robert Murphy Ireland

Demachine (IRE) 9 West Coast Haulage Limited Kerry Lee

Eldorado Allen (FR) 9 J P Romans & Terry Warner Joe Tizzard

Equus Dancer (IRE) 9 Mr Roddy Owen Peter Bowen

Flegmatik (FR) 8 Mr N. W. Lake Dan Skelton

Francky du Berlais (FR) 10 Mr Roddy Owen Peter Bowen

Gold Cup Bailly (FR) 7 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland Daryl Jacob

Handsworth (IRE) 8 Mr B. Pierce J.P.Dempsey Ireland

Kapga de Lily (FR) 10 Lady Judith Price & Mrs Carol Shaw Venetia Williams

Karl Philippe (FR) 8 C Coley, D Porter, H Redknapp, P Smith Fergal O'Brien Jack Hogan (5)

Kinondo Kwetu 7 Gunalt Partnership Sam England

Midnight River 8 Mr Frank McAleavy Dan Skelton

Nassalam (FR) 6 John and Yvonne Stone Gary Moore

Sam Brown 11 Mr T. C. Frost Anthony Honeyball

Scipion (IRE) 7 Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Tom Lacey

Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 9 Mr Harry Redknapp Ben Pauling

Waitnsee (IRE) 9 Mark R D Fleming/ Geoff Bruce John Patrick Ryan Ireland

6:20pm Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m 209y

Aslukgoes 5 Mr R. S. Brookhouse B F Brookhouse Jack Quinlan

Beat The Bat (IRE) 5 Twelfth Man Partnership 6 Harry Fry Bryan Carver

Bertie's Ballet 5 Falcon's Line Ltd Dianne Sayer

Blizzard of Oz (IRE) 5 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland

Bowenspark (IRE) 5 Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Henry Daly

Captain Cody (IRE) 5 V Caldwell/A Shamoon/Mrs A Shamoon Ibgi W. P. Mullins Ireland

Centara (IRE) 5 Mrs Kathy Stuart Paul Nicholls

Classic Anthem (IRE) 5 Taylor & O'Dwyer Jim Boyle Robert Dunne

Dancing City (FR) 6 Mrs J. Donnelly W. P. Mullins Ireland

Dino Bellagio 4 Nick Brown Racing Donald McCain Brian Hughes

Esprit du Potier (FR) 4 The Four Lushes Lucinda Russell

Fiercely Proud (IRE) 4 Mr T. P. Radford Ben Pauling

Florida Dreams (IRE) 5 Mr J. Fyffe Nicky Richards Danny McMenamin

Go To War (IRE) 5 Mr Grant Leon Fergal O'Brien Paddy Brennan

Hasthing (FR) 6 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill

Here Comes Georgie 5 Mr Eamon McElligott Patrick Neville

Jack Hyde (IRE) 5 Mr J. Reddington Thomas Gallagher

Josh The Boss 4 Mr J. D. Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies

Kinbara (IRE) 5 Ms Caroline Ahearn John McConnell Ireland

King of Kingsfield (IRE) 5 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Largy Ray (IRE) 5 Raymond Scullion/Martin McGrogan S. R. B. Crawford Northern Ireland

Marvellous Mick 5 Mr Michael Geoghegan Paul Nicholls

Masaccio (IRE) 6 McNeill Family & Niall Farrell Alan King A. P. Heskin

Parade Away (IRE) 5 RMF Resource Solutions Ltd Milton Harris

Pour Les Filles 5 K Haughey/Laura Haughey/Kieran T Byrne Gordon Elliott Ireland

Pyffo (IRE) 5 Andy Ralph Jonjo O'Neill

Quantum Storm (IRE) 6 Bective Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland

Samui 4 Mr Allan Snow Gordon Elliott Ireland

Shinji (IRE) 4 Mrs Louise Jones Martin Keighley

Streamsforth Lad (IRE) 5 Mr T. G. Kelly Gary Hanmer

Taras Halls (IRE) 5 Mr R Peters and Mr T Ford Lucy Wadham Bryony Frost

Ten Lengths Tom (IRE) 4 Mr Jerry Hinds & Mr Ashley Head Tom Lacey Stan Sheppard

Westerninthepark (IRE) 5 The Box 8 Partnership & Avon Racing Ltd Milton Harris

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