Ballabriggs among 82 Grand National entries

BALLABRIGGS, the brilliant winner of last year's John Smith's Grand National, was among 82 entries revealed on Wednesday for this year's Aintree marathon.

William Hill's outright favourite at 14-1, Ballabriggs will be bidding to become the first horse since Aintree legend Red Rum (1973 and 1974) to win back-to-back Nationals but he faces a stern test against a field high on quality.

Cheltenham Festival winner Junior and Lexus Chase hero Synchronised are vying for favouritism with some bookmakers and both featured among the 82 names.

Saturday's Argento Chase winner Midnight Chase and Charlie Hall victor Weird Al give further strength to the entries, although both horses are expected to go for the Betfred Gold Cup before connections commit them to the National.

No less than 31 of the 82 entries are trained in Ireland and Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins, successful in the 2005 Grand National with Hedgehunter, accounts for 12 of those including Apt Approach, winner of a Grade 2 chase at Thurles last month and a best-priced 33-1 with Paddy Power for the race. 

Becauseicouldntsee, who fell at the second fence in last year's race, is a 33-1 chance with Betfred for this year's renewal and will prep for the race in the Dobbins & Madigans National Trial at Punchestown on Sunday, according to trainer Noel Glynn.

He said: "The National is the plan again for Becauseicouldntsee and I hope that we get a bit further than last year!

"For such a good jumper he had two nasty falls last year including at Leopardstown over Christmas, when he would have been there or thereabouts.

"I am just a little afraid that those falls might have affected him mentally, so I'm just hoping that he can post a clear round on Sunday to get his confidence back.  He had no sort of preparation for Aintree last season after suffering a cut leg and we would love to get him back there."

Despite this year's entry falling short of previous years, Aintree's managing director Julian Thick expressed his satisfaction with the quality names the race has attracted.

He said: "The number of entries is down on last year but we believe that this is a testament to the status of the race these days.

"Owners and trainers are now taking a more selective approach to the horses they enter, as the increasing quality of the runners we attract to the John Smith's Grand National means that lower rated horses no longer have any prospect of a run."

Weights for the famous race will be revealed on February 14.