Aintree 2008 News
Richard Johnson has been booked to ride Turko in the big race on Saturday, whilst Tony Dobbin will ride Point Barrow and Timmy Murphy Comply Or Die.
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99 horses remain in the National at the six day stage, with all the major contenders standing their ground.
Amongst the defectors are Patsy Hall, Over The Creek and Ungaro are arguably the most notable, Irish National runner-up Royal County Star and the veteran Royal Auclair.
Also out are Billyvoddan, Knight Legend, Always Waining, Homer Wells, Ursumman, Cool Running, Oscar India, Final Act, Juful Tennis, Patman Du Charmil and Alexander Taipan.
The well backed Philson Run is currently 41st in the entries and needs one to come out to get a run. Others counting on withdrawals to get a run are Dun Doire and former Scottish National winner Joes Edge.
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Officials at Aintree are predicting "perfect" ground for the festival as no more heavy rain is forecast, with a drying breeze and just scattered showers the predicted weather for the remainder of the week.
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Money contiunues to come in for the big race favourite Cloudy Lane, who is now as short at 11/2 with some layers.
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Tony McCoy has opted to ride Butlers Cabin in the big race.
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A coalition of animal rights protesters are to stage a demonstration outside Aintree racecourse between 12:00 and 14:00 on the opening day of the meeting.
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115 horses remain in the line up as the Grand National reached the second forfeit stage.
Top weight Celestial Gold was the most notable absentee, although following recent disappointing performances it has to be said the defection was not a total shock.
Current favourite Cloudy Lane is pleasing his trainer, Donald McCain.
Ferdy Murphy is keeping his fingers crossed that at least another sixteen runners pull out so his Joes Edge can take his chance. Joes Edge, winner of the 2005 Scottish National, has twice been unlucky at Aintree but his handler is hopeful of it being three times lucky - if he gets a run.
Last years first fence faller and co-favourite Point Barrow is to by-pass the Irish National to be aimed at Aintree. Beaten at Wexford this week, his trainer stated the heavy ground was against him that day.
Hi Cloy is now top weight, carrying 11st 12lbs.
The Irish have a good recent record in the National and there are currently 30 Irish raiders left in the entries.
A maximum field of 40 will compete on the day.
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Trainer Paul Nicholls still believes Mr Pointment can put up a good show in the John Smith's Grand National.
The one time favourite was very disappointing in his last run at Doncaster in February.
Speaking on At The Races, Nicholls said,
"He's still on target for the National.
"It was a bit disappointing the way he ran that day but in hindsight I'm convinced he had a little bleed, not outwardly, but I think that is just him anyway.
"I'm not convinced he was enjoying the ground anyway. If you watch it again he didn't jump at all and he sometimes can have an off-day.
"But he has worked hard since and I'm going to put that behind me and just try to get him there in as good a form as I can."
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As expected Irish Challenger and top weight Beef Or Salmon was declared a non-runner at the latest forefeit stage.
As a result Celestial Gold becomes top weight after 125 entries stood their ground.
The weights have risen 2lb following the the changes at the top, giving Celestial Gold a hefty 11st 12lb to carry.
Amongst the entries is the 2005 winner Hedgehunter, who is bidding to become the first dual winner of the race since Red Rum.
Trainer David Pipe has a nine runners in the race, including Comply Or Die, Madison du Berlais and Over The Creek.
Recent Doncaster winner Cloudy Lain, trained by Donald McCain, is still the 6-1 favourite.
The Irish have farmed the National in recent years and they currently have 31 entries, including second favourite Snowy Morning.