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Corach Rambler heads 34 declarations for the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.
The Lucinda Russell-trained ten-year-old will bid to emulate the likes of Reynoldstown, Red Rum and more recently, Tiger Roll in becoming a multiple winner of the famous steeplechase having landed the Aintree feature in fine style twelve months ago.
Gordon Elliott will saddle eight of the 34 contenders lining up on Saturday, with the County Meath-based trainer nominating Delta Work as the pick of his competitors. Alongside Delta Work in the Elliott team are Galvin, Coko Beach, Farouk D'Alene, The Goffer, Run Wild Fred, Chemical Energy and Minella Crooner.
2022 Grand National hero Noble Yeats returns to Aintree in a bid to regain his crown, while Mark Walsh has opted to ride Limerick Lace, who attempts to become the first mare to land the world-famous steeplechase since Nickel Coin plundered to prize in 1951.
The Gavin Cromwell-trained Vanillier will be hoping he can go one spot better than when second to Corach Rambler here twelve months ago.
Willie Mullins will saddle an equal number of contenders to Irish rival Gordon Elliott as he tries to claim Aintree honours for the first time since Hedgehunter hopped his way to glory in 2005. Last year's Irish Grand National winner I Am Maximum has been well-touted for the 4m2½f contest, with stablemate Meetingofthewaters the subject of a "monster gamble" according to bookmakers William Hill over the last few days.
The enigmatic Mr Incredible, who finished runner-up in the Midland Grand National at Uttoxeter last month, features alongside Cotswold Chase winner Capodanno, Stattler, Adamantly Chosen, Glengouly and Janidil for the Closutton team.
The defection of Gordon Elliott's Conflated to the Melling Chase sees fan-favourite Kitty's Light squeeze in at the bottom of the weights. Christian Williams' eight-year-old is something of a staying-chasing specialist having landed the Scottish National, bet365 Gold Cup, and Eider Handicap Chase in consecutive starts last season.
Connections of Welsh Grand National scorer Nassalam will be hoping for further rainfall in Merseyside over the coming days, while Latenightpass attempts to give Britain's five-time champion point-to-point trainer Tom Ellis a memorable first runner as a fully-fledged licensed trainer.
Both Mahler Mission and Panda Boy are towards the head of the market for John McConnell and Martin Brassil, with the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Minella Indo preceding a trio of runners for trainer Henry de Bromhead, who also saddles Ain't That A Shame and Eklat De Rire.
The 4m2½f feature will take place at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
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