79 in the mix for the Aintree Grand National 21 March 2017 Free

The 2017 Randox Health Grand National moves a step closer with the news today that 79 horses go forward for the £1 million race on Saturday, April 8th at Aintree.

The David Pipe-trained Vieux Lion Rouge, one of the market leaders ever since the weights were unveiled on February 14th, has regained favouritism following the withdrawal today of Gold Cup runner-up Minella Rocco.

Vieux Lion Rouge finished seventh in the race last year and has enjoyed splendid Grade 3 victories this season in the Betfred Becher Handicap Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree on December 3rd and in the Betfred Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Haydock Park on February 18th.

Pipe, successful in the 2008 Grand National with Comply Or Die, has five others going forward for the Randox Health Grand National, with Ballynagour (66/1), who unseated his rider at the 19th in 2016, the only one of them certain to get a run among the maximum of 40 runners.

The trainer said: "Vieux Lion Rouge has had a good prep and he ran very well in the race last year. He is stronger now and seems to be finishing his races better. He battled on really strongly a Haydock last time and his preparation so far has been good.

"I don't think the ground will be too much concern for him over the Grand National trip. He seems to like the fences and Tom Scudamore is very much looking forward to the ride.

"We have some Grand National fences at home for Aintree and people in the South West can come down and use them at any time - it is a great initiative.

"Ballynagour is a hard horse to predict, but is a very good one on his day. He ran in the race last year and was just creeping into it on the second circuit when he just left his hind legs behind and unseated Tom Scu.

"He seems to come alive on the spring ground. Two main factors for horses in the Grand National - they have to jump well and stay well.

SECOND FAVOURITE

The second favourite is the Brian Ellison-trained Definitly Red who gained a victory in the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster on March 4th, when he finished 14 lengths ahead of last year's Aintree runner-up The Last Samuri.

Top-weight Carlingford Lough is one of a strong hand of five for leading owner J.P. McManus, who also has Cause Of Causes, who managed a third successive Cheltenham Festival success last week in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase and keeps on improving.

Blaklion (Nigel Twiston-Davies) finished second, beaten three and a quarter lengths, in Haydock's Betfred Grand National Trial, while Scotland's great hope is One For Arthur (Lucinda Russell), impressive winner of the Classic Chase at Warwick in January.

Ucello Conti (Gordon Elliott) who shaped well when sixth in 2016 and was a good fourth in the Betfred Becher Chase, is another leading Irish contender.

FIVE FOR NICHOLLS

Champion jump trainer Paul Nicholls hopes to saddle five runners, headed by last week's Cheltenham Gold Cup fifth Saphir Du Rheu, owned by the Stewart Family.

Nicholls, triumphant in the 2012 Grand National with Neptune Collonges, also intends running Vicente, Le Mercurey, Wonderful Charm and Just A Par, who will be up for sale at the Goffs UK Aintree Sale after racing on Thursday, April 6th.

Victory in the Grand National would probably ensure Nicholls retains his trainers' championship, though nearest rival Nicky Henderson is hoping for success with outsider Cocktails At Dawn.

Jonjo O'Neill intends to have a runner for J.P McManus in the shape of staying-on old Cup sixth More Of That.

James Moffat, who trains in the Lake District, relies on Highland Lodge (28/1), who just failed to make the Grand National field last year. The close second in the 2016 Becher Handicap Chase and winner of the same race in 2015 has been prepared specially for the race this year.

ENTRIES

1) CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE)

2) THE LAST SAMURI (IRE)

3) ALELCHI INOIS (FR)

4) MORE OF THAT (IRE)

5) SHANTOU FLYER (IRE)

6) PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE)

7) SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR)

8) ROI DES FRANCS (FR)

9) FOXROCK (IRE)

10) WOUNDED WARRIOR (IRE)

11) WONDERFUL CHARM (FR)

12) TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR)

13) BLAKLION

14) DROP OUT JOE

15) LE MERCUREY (FR)

16) MAGGIO (FR)

17) THE YOUNG MASTER

18) CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA)

19) REGAL ENCORE (IRE)

20) VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR)

21) DEFINITLY RED (IRE)

22) UCELLO CONTI (FR)

23) DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE)

24) HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR)

25) PLEASANT COMPANY (IRE)

26) ONE FOR ARTHUR (IRE)

27) BALLYNAGOUR (IRE)

28) O'FAOLAINS BOY (IRE)

29) HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE)

30) BISHOPS ROAD (IRE)

31) VICS CANVAS (IRE)

32) LORD WINDERMERE (IRE)

33) ZIGA BOY (FR)

34) SAINT ARE (FR)

35) VICENTE (FR)

36) JUST A PAR (IRE)

37) MEASUREOFMYDREAMS (IRE)

38) RAZ DE MAREE (FR)

39) STELLAR NOTION (IRE)

40) ROGUE ANGEL (IRE)

41) PENDRA (IRE)

42) COCKTAILS AT DAWN

43) THE ROMFORD PELE (IRE)

44) THUNDER AND ROSES (IRE)

45) GAS LINE BOY (IRE)

46) GOODTOKNOW

47) LA VATICANE (FR)

48) DOCTOR HARPER (IRE)

49) BLESS THE WINGS (IRE)

50) KNOCK HOUSE (IRE)

51) SAMBREMONT (FR)

52) POTTERS CROSS

53) BENBENS (IRE)

54) STRAIDNAHANNA (IRE)

55) VIVA STEVE (IRE)

56) POLIDAM (FR)

57) LAMB OR COD (IRE)

58) MILANSBAR (IRE)

59) CLOUDY TOO (IRE)

60) VYTA DU ROC (FR)

61) STREETS OF PROMISE (IRE)

62) BEEVES (IRE)

63) ROYALE KNIGHT

64) SIZING COAL (IRE)

65) LESSONS IN MILAN (IRE)

66) ALFIE SPINNER (IRE)

67) EMPEROR'S CHOICE (IRE)

68) DARE TO ENDEAVOUR

69) SILVER MAN

70) FATHER EDWARD (IRE)

71) SAMINGARRY (FR)

72) ALVARADO (IRE)

73) MILBOROUGH (IRE)

74) THE CRAFTY BUTCHER (IRE)

75) WALDORF SALAD

76) KATENKO (FR)

77) FEDERICI

78) GONE TOO FAR

79) RACING PULSE (IRE)

RANDOX HEALTH GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE

Grade 3, £1 million total prize fund. Aintree, 5.15pm Saturday, April 8th. 4m 2f 74yds over the Grand National fences. Maximum field 40.

Horse Age Wgt Owner Trainer

1) CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) 11 11-10 J P McManus John Kiely IRE

2) THE LAST SAMURI (IRE) 9 11-09 Paul & Clare Rooney Kim Bailey

3) ALELCHI INOIS (FR) 9 11-07 L McMahon/Mrs F Murphy/F Mangan Willie Mullins IRE

4) MORE OF THAT (IRE) 9 11-05 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

5) SHANTOU FLYER (IRE) 7 11-04 Carl Hinchy Rebecca Curtis

6) PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE) 10 11-04 ISL Recruitment Fergal O'Brien

7) SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR) 8 11-04 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls

8) ROI DES FRANCS (FR) 8 11-02 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

9) FOXROCK (IRE) 9 11-02 Barry Connell Ted Walsh IRE

10) WOUNDED WARRIOR (IRE) 8 11-01 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE

11) WONDERFUL CHARM (FR) 9 11-01 Robin Geffen & Sir John Ritblat Paul Nicholls

12) TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) 10 11-00 Boultbee Brooks Ltd Venetia Williams

13) BLAKLION 8 11-00 Sarah Such & Gino Paletta Nigel Twiston-Davies

14) DROP OUT JOE 9 11-00 The Jesters Charlie Longsdon

15) LE MERCUREY (FR) 7 10-13 Chris Giles & Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls

16) MAGGIO (FR) 12 10-12 Douglas Pryde/James Beaumont Patrick Griffin IRE

17) THE YOUNG MASTER 8 10-12 Dajam & The Old Masters Neil Mulholland

18) CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) 9 10-12 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE

19) REGAL ENCORE (IRE) 9 10-12 J P McManus Anthony Honeyball

20) VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR) 8 10-11 Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent David Pipe

21) DEFINITLY RED (IRE) 8 10-11 P J Martin Brian Ellison

22) UCELLO CONTI (FR) 9 10-11 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Gordon Elliott IRE

23) DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE) 7 10-11 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George

24) HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) 10 10-11 Mrs Julian Blackwell Venetia Williams

25) PLEASANT COMPANY (IRE) 9 10-11 Malcolm C Denmark Willie Mullins IRE

26) ONE FOR ARTHUR (IRE) 8 10-10 Two Golf Widows Lucinda Russell

27) BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) 11 10-10 Allan Stennett David Pipe

28) O'FAOLAINS BOY (IRE) 10 10-10 Trembath, Hyde, Outhart & Hill Rebecca Curtis

29) HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE) 11 10-10 Bowes Lodge Stables James Moffatt

30) BISHOPS ROAD (IRE) 9 10-09 Alan Halsall Kerry Lee

31) VICS CANVAS (IRE) 14 10-09 Bodeen Bandits Partnership Dermot McLoughlin IRE

32) LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) 11 10-09 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE

33) ZIGA BOY (FR) 8 10-09 Axom LI Alan King

34) SAINT ARE (FR) 11 10-09 David Fox Tom George

35) VICENTE (FR) 8 10-09 Trevor Hemmings Paul Nicholls

36) JUST A PAR (IRE) 10 10-08 Paul Barber & The Late Graham Roach Paul Nicholls

37) MEASUREOFMYDREAMS (IRE) 9 10-08 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE

38) RAZ DE MAREE (FR) 12 10-08 James J Swan Gavin Cromwell IRE

39) STELLAR NOTION (IRE) 9 10-08 Roger Brookhouse Henry de Bromhead IRE

40) ROGUE ANGEL (IRE) 9 10-07 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

41) PENDRA (IRE) 9 10-07 J P McManus Charlie Longsdon

42) COCKTAILS AT DAWN 9 10-07 Robin Geffen & Sir John Ritblat Nicky Henderson

43) THE ROMFORD PELE (IRE) 10 10-06 Trembath & Outhart Rebecca Curtis

44) THUNDER AND ROSES (IRE) 9 10-06 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

45) GAS LINE BOY (IRE) 11 10-06 The Three Graces Ian Williams

46) GOODTOKNOW 9 10-06 Burling Daresbury MacEchern Nolan Potter Kerry Lee

47) LA VATICANE (FR) 8 10-05 Maria Bukhtoyarova David Pipe

48) DOCTOR HARPER (IRE) 9 10-05 The Johnson Family David Pipe

49) BLESS THE WINGS (IRE) 12 10-04 Adrian Butler/S P O'Connor Gordon Elliott IRE

50) KNOCK HOUSE (IRE) 8 10-03 Tim Leslie Donald McCain

51) SAMBREMONT (FR) 7 10-01 Shanakiel Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE

52) POTTERS CROSS 10 10-01 Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman Rebecca Curtis

53) BENBENS (IRE) 12 10-01 Sarah Such & Gino Paletta Nigel Twiston-Davies

54) STRAIDNAHANNA (IRE) 8 10-01 Margaret Scholey & Ray Scholey Sue Smith

55) VIVA STEVE (IRE) 9 10-01 Paul & Clare Rooney Fergal O'Brien

56) POLIDAM (FR) 8 10-00 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE

57) LAMB OR COD (IRE) 10 10-00 Terry Warner Philip Hobbs

58) MILANSBAR (IRE) 10 10-00 Robert Bothway Neil King

59) CLOUDY TOO (IRE) 11 10-00 Formulated Polymer Products Ltd Sue Smith

60) VYTA DU ROC (FR) 8 9-13 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson

61) STREETS OF PROMISE (IRE) 8 9-13 Gempro Michael Scudamore

62) BEEVES (IRE) 10 9-12 Paul & Clare Rooney Jennie Candlish

63) ROYALE KNIGHT 11 9-12 Chris Stedman & Robert Corsan Dr Richard Newland

64) SIZING COAL (IRE) 9 9-11 Alan & Ann Potts Partnership Jim Dreaper IRE

65) LESSONS IN MILAN (IRE) 9 9-11 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson

66) ALFIE SPINNER (IRE) 12 9-11 Alan Beard & Brian Beard Kerry Lee

67) EMPEROR'S CHOICE (IRE) 10 9-11 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

68) DARE TO ENDEAVOUR 10 9-10 Aidan J Ryan Eric McNamara IRE

69) SILVER MAN 10 9-10 John Wardle Jo Hughes

70) FATHER EDWARD (IRE) 8 9-10 Fergus Wilson David Pipe

71) SAMINGARRY (FR) 10 9-10 Nigel Hawke Racing Club & Partner Nigel Hawke

72) ALVARADO (IRE) 12 9-09 William & Angela Rucker Fergal O'Brien

73) MILBOROUGH (IRE) 11 9-09 Miss Helen Cross Ian Duncan

74) THE CRAFTY BUTCHER (IRE) 10 9-08 P Byrne/P W Mullins/D Ryan/I Madigan Willie Mullins IRE

75) WALDORF SALAD 9 9-08 Alan Parker Venetia Williams

76) KATENKO (FR) 11 9-07 Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams

77) FEDERICI 8 9-06 Jon Glews Donald McCain

78) GONE TOO FAR 9 9-05 Fergus Wilson David Pipe

79) RACING PULSE (IRE) 8 9-05 Carl Hinchy Rebecca Curtis

79 entries remain after March 21 scratchings deadline

22 Irish-trained

THE FOLLOWING 16 HORSES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: ALARY (FR), MINELLA ROCCO (IRE), LORD SCOUNDREL (IRE), ROAD TO RICHES (IRE), SAUSALITO SUNRISE (IRE), CAROLE'S DESTRIER, JUNCTION FOURTEEN (IRE), VIVALDI COLLONGES (FR), SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE), AS DE MEE (FR), SEVENTH SKY (GER), HADRIAN'S APPROACH (IRE), OUT SAM, GOULANES (IRE), MOUNTAIN KING, KILLER CROW (IRE)