Coudray tops National weights

Following the defection of First Gold at today’s final declaration stage, the weights for the Martell Cognac Grand National will go up 3lb to leave Le Coudray at the top of the handicap for Saturday’s race.

Le Coudray, one of four runners for legendary Irish gambler J P McManus, will carry 11st 12lb in the Aintree showpiece, just 2lb above last year’s winner Monty’s Pass, who carried 10st 7lb to an impressive victory 12 months ago.