Who are the Aintree contenders facing an anxious wait before the Grand National?

Phoenix Way is the last horse guaranteed a run in next month's Randox Grand National after 78 horses were left in contention at Tuesday's acceptance stage.

However, only 40 can take part in Aintree's most famous race and several face an anxious wait to see if they will make the final cut. We look at those who are on the cusp of getting a run.

Randox Grand National racecard and betting

Philip Hobbs

Deise Aba runs in the colours of his late owner Trevor Hemmings, a three-time Grand National winner, and has not been seen since narrowly beaten in the Masters Handicap Chase at Sandown last month.

That was a joint career-best performance on Racing Post Ratings so he is clearly in good heart. Although his four best runs have come at Sandown, he does have a hurdles second at Aintree on his record.

Price: 66-1 (general)

Blaklion: veteran chaser has been in great form this season, winning twiceCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Dan Skelton

No horse in this season's Grand National can compare in the age stakes to Blaklion, the 13-year-old who was sent off favourite for the 2017 running.

A Becher Chase winner when trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, he crept into last year's race for Dan Skelton and finished best of the British-trained runners in sixth. If he makes the cut he will return off the same mark after a brilliant veteran season, headlined by two wins at Haydock. There would not be many more popular winners.

Price: 66-1 (general)

Henry de Bromhead

The Robcour-owned ten-year-old sits in 43rd position on the list, but he will need to do better than his effort at Cheltenham last week, when never jumping with fluency before being pulled up in the Glenfarclas Chase, if he is to pose a threat in the National.

He does, however, have form in big-field, staying handicap chases, most notably when winner of the 2019 Kerry National and fourth in the same season's Paddy Power Chase.

Price: 100-1 (William Hill)

44. Death Duty
Gordon Elliott

His trainer nominated him as his best-handicapped horse for the Cheltenham Festival, but he could not quite complete the job as he finished sixth in the Ultima.

The 11-year-old, who won Grade 1s as both a novice hurdler and novice chaser, looked nearer the force of old when staying on to win the Grand National Trial at Punchestown, and he is a contender if making the top 40.

Price: 33-1 (general)

John McConnell

Go Another One has yet to run at Aintree despite his trainer's best efforts, being declared a non-runner both times he was due to take part at the Merseyside track (once ground, once a self certificate).

The ten-year-old posted a couple of respectable efforts at Cheltenham in the autumn but has only run once since, finishing fourth in a Pertemps qualifier over hurdles at Musselburgh last month. He missed last week's final at Cheltenham due to unsuitable ground.

Price: 100-1 (general)

46. Domaine De L'Isle
Sean Curran

This nine-year-old did nothing but stay on into fourth in the Becher Chase, finishing 22 lengths behind winner Snow Leopardess.

It was a positive first experience over the National fences and that practice would stand him in good stead should he make the cut. He was last seen finishing tenth in the Eider.

Price: 100-1 (general)

Eclair Surf: winner of the Classic ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Emma Lavelle

A progressive chaser in the making, this eight-year-old needs seven others to come out to be guaranteed a run in the National despite winning the Classic Chase at Warwick in January.

He was put up 10lb for that dominant win but nearly followed up in the Eider, rallying late but ultimately unable to catch Win My Wings.

Price: 33-1 (general)

48. Fortescue
Henry Daly

Blaklion was 48th in the list of entries at this stage before taking the final spot in the line-up a year ago and Henry Daly will be hopeful of a similar outcome with last month's Ascot winner.

His Swinley Chase victory was a career-best performance on RPRs and, with stamina very much his forte, he would be a fascinating contender if making the cut.

Price: 40-1 (BetVictor)

Read more on Aintree:

Snow Leopardess to make cut for Grand National after latest acceptance stage

'He was fabulous' - Alan King lines up Arkle star Edwardstone for Aintree bid

Seven Cheltenham Festival absentees with a score to settle at Aintree

'It's all to play for' - Paul Nicholls primed for Aintree and title challenge

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