LAST YEAR’S winner Mon Mome features among 75 horses remaining in the Aintree Grand National following the latest entry stage. The 10-year-old landed the Aintree spectacular as a 100 to 1 shot last season, but will be a fraction of those odds this time having finished a fantastic third in last week’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Ryanair Chase winner Albertas Run is a notable scratching but both Madison du Berlais and Notre Pere remain at the head of the weights with 11st 10lb.
Mon Mome will carry 11st 7lb should those two stand their ground – but trainer Venetia Williams will not be too concerned if the weights rise.
“At the end of the day, it’s only a matter of 3lb, it’s not the be all and end all,” said Williams. “A horse can fall, you are always afraid of getting hampered, you never know what might happen. Three pounds is not a major difference in the great scheme of things. His preparation has gone a lot better than it did last year.”
Williams’ Flintoff is currently 49th on the list and the trainer is hoping he too makes the final line-up on April 10th.
Big Fella Thanks and Tricky Trickster remain among the possibles as champion trainer Paul Nicholls chases a first National success, while Dessie Hughes has two leading chances with Vic Venturi and Black Apalachi.
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