Desperandum stands National ground

Ante-post favourite Nil Desperandum heads a total of 106 horses still engaged in the John Smith’s Grand National after the first forfeit stage.

Venetia Williams’ 10-year-old jumped to the head of the betting with an impressive success in Newcastle’s Eider Chase at the end of last month and is now a general 10-1 chance for the Aintree feature.

Leading totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Exotic Dancer and 2005 race winner Hedgehunter still head the weights on 11st 12lb while last year’s winner Numbersixvalverde is also on the list.

Other well-supported possibles for the April 14 feature include Christy Roche’s Far From Trouble, the Tony Martin-trained Dun Doire and David Pipe’s Little Brick.

Pipe has six still engaged in the race while champion trainer Paul Nicholls has eight entries to choose from including Becher Chase winner Eurotrek and 2005 runner-up Royal Auclair.

Donald McCain has three contenders in Idle Talk, Inca Trail and Maurice as he bids to emulate his father Ginger, who won the National four times.

A total of 13 horses, including Ollie Magern, Southern Vic, Church Island and Kilbeggan Blade, were removed for the National at the first forfeit stage.

The next forfeit for the four-and-a-half-mile marathon is on March 27.