ATTEMPTS to salvage the Martell Grand National will come under scrutiny today. Publication of the weights for the world's most famous steeplechase will give a first indication of the success, or otherwise, of revisions brought in after the disappointment of last year's race.

Only 27 runners faced the starter at Aintree last April, the smallest line up in 36 years, with just nine in the handicap proper.

Two significant measures have been introduced by the British Horseracing Board this year in an attempt to increase the competitiveness of the race and the size of the field.

Barring "exceptional circumstances" the top weight will be 12st, rather than the 11st 10lb given to the head of the handicap in each of the last four years.

That should increase the number of horses able to run off their correct handicap marks.

And the minimum entry qualification of 120 which denied last year's Eider Chase winner Killeshin a run at Aintree has been reduced to 110.

Leading Gold Cup hope Dublin Flyer is thus likely to be the first horse given 12st to carry since - Carvill's Hill in 1992.

Chase handicapper Christopher Mordaunt relies solely on official ratings in framing the National weights nowadays and Dublin Flyer, successful over the National fences in the John Hughes Chase in 1995, is the highest rated horse among 103, entries on 179.

Hems set to be joined by French challenger Limonaire, allocated automatic top weight after failing to qualify for a handicap mark in time.

Only other horses likely to have to carry more than 11st are Master Oats and Couldnt Be Better as neither last year's winner Rough Quest nor the retired Jodami is - likely to make the line up.

Reducing the entry qualification by 10lb is likely to have a beneficial effect on the size of the field.

No fewer than 20 of the entries are currently rated under the old cut off point of 120 but only Yeoman Warrior (rated 106) and Olympic D'Or (102) are set to miss the new 110 standard.

In the pre weights betting on the Grand National Lord Gyllene has been well supported with Ladbrokes and has been cut to 16 to 1 from 20 to 1.

Also in demand for the National has been old favourite Young Hustler who is 20 to 1 from 25 to 1. Lo Stregone remains Ladbrokes 14 to 1 favourite.