Florida Pearl today headed the weights unveiled for this year's Martell Grand National.
The Pertemps King George VI Chase winner tops the handicap unveiled this morning for the Aintree showpiece on 11 stone 12lb, 1lb ahead of First Gold - who has been ruled out for the season through injury.
Florida Pearl's stable-companion Alexander Banquet has 11 stone 6lb, compared to 11 stone 9lb in 2001.
Fellow leading Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hopes Behrajan and Rince Ri have 11-8 with Marlborough on 11-7 but the presence of such class horses has not led to a compression of the handicap.
No fewer than 33 horses figure on at least the minimum weight of 10 stone, including Norman Mason's 2001 National winner Red Marauder (10-9) and his stable companion Red Striker (10-8).
Last year's only other finishers are each entered again, with Smarty on 9-10 and the remounted pair Blowing Wind and Papillon (the 2000 winner) on 10-1 and 10-11, respectively.
A total of 139 horses have been allocated a weight for the April 6th contest, with five of the original entries not qualified.
PA