Hedgehunter and Royal Auclair, the first two home in last year’s John Smith’s Grand National, head a maximum field of 40 declared at the final 48-hour stage for the Aintree spectacular.

SHARDAM’S position at the head of the market for tomorrow’s Betfred Gold Cup at Sandown strengthened yesterday, with Ladbrokes cutting the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding into 7-2 from 4s for the £150,000 showpiece.