Tony McCoy will have at least four healthy options to choose from in his last Grand National as the weights were announced earlier today for the April 11th Aintree showpiece.
Recent Hennessy winner Carlingford Lough tops the weights at 11st 10lb in the Crabbie's Grand National along with last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere.
Carlingford Lough will be running off a mark of 161, which is five pounds "well in" compared with his official rating of 166, but both horses are likely to be trained primarily for the Cheltenham blue riband.
Trainer John Kiely said: "JP McManus and Frank Berry will decide on his participation but I don't think it would be likely he'd run. The Gold Cup is his main aim and the horse is in good form."
Meanwhile another potential McCoy ride Shutthefrontdoor, ante-post favourite at 10-1, will carry 11st 2lb in a bid to follow on from his 2014 Irish Grand National victory for trainer Jonjo O'Neill.
McCoy won his first and only Grand National on Don't Push in 2010 at the 15th attempt and other potential rides include Sunnyhillboy (10st 8lb) and Merry King (10st 5lb), also for the master of Jackdaws Castle.
Last year's winner Pineau de Re has been trained specifically for the race by Dr Richard Newland and is a 25-1 shot to be the first to win back-back renewals since the mighty Red Rum in 1974.
Mouse Morris' First Lieuntenant, who trailed in last in the Hennessy on his last run, will be hoping his triple Grade 1 winning 10-year-old can bounce back to form.
Morris said: "He's only put us up 1lb (11st 3lb) but those above us seem to be better off, if they run.
"I think he's a real National horse, so he'll definitely go. He's such a good jumper."
Robert Waley-Cohen is aiming to make history with 14-year-old Oscar Time, the mount of his son Sam, as in the last 88 years no horse over the age of 12 has won the famous race.
He said: "He hasn't had a run since the Becher Chase. The intention is just to keep him mentally and physically sharp. He's in very good form."
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
