Hedgehunter tops National line-up

Hedgehunter heads the 40 declared runners for the John Smith's Grand National on Saturday.

The Willie Mullins-trained 11-year-old will shoulder top weight of 11st 12lb in his bid to regain his crown in the nation-stopping four-and-a-half-mile marathon.

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Hedgehunter is one of four set to tackle the race for the County Carlow-based trainer, with stablemates Homer Wells, Livingstonebramble and Bothar Na also going for gold.

Other notable Irish declarations include prominent ante-post fancies Point Barrow, Dun Doire and 2006 hero Numbersixvalverde.

As expected, general market leader Joes Edge crept into the race as the 39th declared runner after Fota Island, Armaturk and Iris Royal were taken out at the final stage.

After three years of near-misses, Kim Bailey's Longshanks finally gets his

chance to shine, while other interesting candidates include Idle Talk, L'Ami and

Cheltenham Gold Cup fourth Monkerhostin.

Eurotrek and Bewleys Berry, first and second home in the Becher Chase at

Aintree last year, also feature in a typically-competitive field.

Four reserves directly below the top 40 in the weights - Risk Accessor,

Undeniable, Dunbrody Millar and Lou Du Moulin Mas - have been declared and will

be put on standby until 9.30am on Friday.

Declared runners: Hedgehunter, Eurotrek, L'Ami, Monkerhostin, Thisthatandtother, Billyvoddan, Numbersixvalverde, Idle Talk, Royal Auclair,

Cloudy Bays, Knowhere, Kelami, Point Barrow, Celtic Son, Simon, Ballycassidy, Clan Royal, Gallant Approach, Livingstonebramble, Dun Doire, Kandjar D4Allier, Slim Pickings, Zabenz, Bewleys Berry, Longshanks, Bothar Na, Graphic Approach,

Homer Wells, Liberthine, Silver Birch, Philson Run, Puntal, The Outlier, Tikram, McKelvey, Naunton Brook, Jack High, Sonevafushi, Joes Edge, Le Duc.

Reserves: Risk Accessor, Undeniable, Dunbrody Millar, Lou Du Moulin Mas.