Big guns stand their ground in National

LAST YEAR’S winner Don’t Push It heads 74 remaining entries for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on April 9.

Jonjo O’Neill’s 11-year-old gave multiple champion jockey Tony McCoy an emotional first success in the world’s most famous steeplechase last year, but will be forced to concede weight all round to his rivals this time.

The ante-post favourite is the Willie Mullins-trained The Midnight Club, one of 26 Irish-trained horses still standing.