18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

40 IN AINTREE SHOWPIECE

Saturday's Martell Grand National at Aintree will have a maximum field of 40 for the first time since 1992 following today's final declaration stage.

There were no surprise withdrawals this morning with Luzcadou, Forestal and Even Flow the only defections.

Celtic Giant, winner of last season's Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup, scrapes in as the 40th runner.

This year the race will see a reserve system in place for the first time.

Christie's Foxhunter Chase winner Cavalero heads the four reserves which are made up by Overflowing River, Cariboo Gold and River Unshion.

A reserve will take its place in the line-up if one of the 40 declared is withdrawn by 9.30 tomorrow morning.

The Tommy Carberry-trained Bobbyjo will attempt to become the first horse since Red Rum in 1974 to win back-to-back Nationals.

The 10-year-old has had an unusual preparation for the race this season, having run over hurdles on his three starts.

Most major bookmakers have Bobbyjo sharing favouritism with the Henry Daly-trained Star Traveller, mount of Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Richard Johnson.

Call It A Day and Addington Boy, third and fourth behind Bobbyjo last season, take their chances again, as do Feels Like Gold, Brave Highlander and Kendal Cavalier, who filled the next three places last April.

The weights are headed by the Peter Beaumont-trained Young Kenny, winner of the Stakis Casinos Scottish Grand National at Ayr last season. He will be joined by stablemate Niki Dee.

French chaser Djeddah will represent Francois Doumen while there will be a Scandinavian challenge for the first time when the Rune Haugen-trained Trinitro carries Norwegian hopes.

Those horses who were declared but eliminated were Mountain Path, whose trainer Terry Caldwell turned down the chance to be a reserve, Ryhane, Full Of Oats, Another Excuse and Back Bar.

"I remembered to declare him!" Daly quipped of leading fancy Star Traveller.

"He will do very little from now on - I will just canter him tomorrow.

"He will travel up from my stable on Saturday morning. I am very happy with him and preparations have gone to plan so far."