61 horses at National five-day declaration stage

A total of 61 horses remain in the Martell Cognac Grand National at today’s five-day confirmation stage.

They include Irish challengers Timbera and Hedgehunter, who are currently vying for favouritism in Saturday’s Aintree marathon.

Top weight First Gold has been left in by Francois Doumen.

A maximum field of 40 will face the starter at the weekend and Lord Atterbury currently features as the last horse to make the cut at this stage.

Rince Ri heads the list of horses taken out of the race.

The others are: Valley Henry, Swansea Bay, Paladin, More Than A Stroll, Take The Stand, You’re Agoodun, The Bushkeeper, Be My Manager, Innox, Joe Blake, Toto Toscato, Only Once, What Odds, Native Performance and Tom Costalot.

Monty's Pass and Bindaree, successful in the last two runnings, both stand their ground.

What’s Up Boys, second to Bindaree in 2002, looks set to run again, as does Davids Lad, suspended when well fancied last year and travelling well two years ago when brought down four from home.