Racing: Last year's winner Hedgehunter heads a healthy entry of 148 for the 2006 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree.
Willie Mullins’ 10-year-old romped to a 14-length victory over the Paul Nicholls-trained Royal Auclair in the four-and-a-half-mile showpiece and the pair could do battle once again.
Clan Royal, runner-up in 2004 and leading when carried out by a loose horse at Becher’s Brook last year, could bid to make it third time lucky for trainer Jonjo O’Neill and owner JP McManus.
It Takes Time (fourth), Forest Gunner (fifth), Nil Desperandum (sixth), Innox (seventh), Heros Collonges (eighth), Just In Debt (ninth) and Amberleigh House (10th) are all engaged again meaning nine of the first 10 horses home last year could reoppose.
Hedgehunter tops a record 38-strong entry from Ireland with Mullins also having Euro Leader and Livingstonebramble while Ted Walsh, who won with Papillon in 2000, has entered Jack High Rince Ri.
Other possible contenders include the Michael Hourigan-trained Hi Cloy, Noel Meade’s Sir Oj, 2005 Irish Grand National winner Numbersixvalverde and Thyestes Chase scorer Dun Doire.
Garvivonnian, successful over the Aintree fences last November in the Becher Chase, has also been entered.
Martin Pipe and Nicholls both look to hold strong hands with the former entering 22, including Joaaci, Therealbandit, Puntal and 2004 National third Lord Atterbury.
Nicholls has Royal Auclair in his 10 possibles as well as 2004 Welsh National hero Silver Birch and last year’s Scottish National runner-up Cornish Rebel.