AINTREE hero Tiger Roll is the headline act among 105 entries for the Grand National.
Gordon Elliott's chaser became the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back renewals of the historic marathon last season.
The 10-year-old is the 7-1 favourite with Betway to emulate Ginger McCain's legendary stayer by claiming the world's richest jumps race for a third time on 4 April.
Elliott has made a total of 18 entries, more than any other trainer. Among Elliott's team are leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Delta Work and top novice Champagne Classic.
Willie Mullins has 10 possible runners, including Burrows Saint, Cadmium and last week's Thyestes Chase winner Total Recall.
There are two previous Cheltenham Gold Cup winners in the mix, in Colin Tizzard's Native River and the Jessica Harrington-trained Sizing John, while Lucinda Russell's 2017 National hero One For Arthur could bid to regain his crown.
Harrington also hast last year's runner-up Magic Of Light engaged – bidding to become the first mare to win the Grand National since Nickel Coin in 1951.
Bristol De Mai is one of seven entries for dual National-winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies – while other hopefuls include Robert Walford's Becher winner Walk In The Mill, Tom Lacey's Kimberlite Candy and the Sue Smith-trained Vintage Clouds.
The latter was an impressive winner of this month's Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock – and while connections were cool on a return to Aintree in the immediate aftermath, he has been entered.
Vintage Clouds fell at the first in last year's National and was pulled up in the Becher Chase over the famous fences last month.
Don't miss out on all the best of Sun Racing
Twitter – @SunRacing
Instagram – sunracing
Youtube – SunRacing
Facebook – SunRacingOnline
Smith, who won the National in 2013 with Auroras Encore, said: "After consideration we have decided to enter Vintage Clouds for the Grand National.
"Having discussed it at length with Trevor (Hemmings, owner), we decided that having won so well in the Peter Marsh, it was worth keeping our options open until nearer the time.
"He has slightly struggled over the Aintree fences, particularly in the Becher, but we want to keep all options on the table for the time being. He jumped superbly in the Peter Marsh and has come out of the race very well."
Other high-profile entries include the Paul Nicholls-trained Give Me A Copper, who is part-owned by former Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and Christian Williams' Welsh National winner Potters Corner.
The weights for the Grand National will be unveiled at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 11 February.
Source: Read Full Article