YESTERDAY'S defection of Lo Stregone, the latest in a long list of withdrawals, leaves a maximum of 28 runners for tomorrow's Grand National, the smallest field since Gay Trip beat 27 rivals in 1970.
Rough Quest's odds have consequently shortened marginally with Ladbrokes and the Gold Cup runner up is now favourite at 9 to 2. The top weight Young Hustler is quoted at 7 to 1 along with Richard Dunwoody's mount Superior Finish.
With dry weather forecast for the rest of the week the going on the National course should be good if not on the fast side. This will suit the two Irish principals, Son Of War and Life Of A Lord, but Arthur Moore's charge Wylde Hide needs soft ground.
Danoli has been pronounced fit enough to bid for his hat trick in tomorrow's Martell Aintree Hurdle which has attracted the Aidan O'Brien trained Urubande, successful in the Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham. O'Brien believes his charge will be even more effective on a fast surface and this brilliant novice will be thrown in the deep end rather than take on fellow novices in today's opener.
There is no logical reason why Klairon Davis should not confirm Champion Chase placings with Viking Flagship and Sound Man in today's featured Mumm Melling Chase. As he finished full of running to win by five lengths at Cheltenham the extra four furlongs should not inconvenience him.
The three principals were anything but foot perfect at Cheltenham, especially Sound Man who jumped two or three fences and Klairon Davis all but came to grief at the fourth last.
But Arthur Moore's charge, who defeated Sound Man in a memorable finish to last year's Arkle Challenge Trophy, was given time to recover and it was clear he was going to win on facing up to the final fence. At seven years he is the youngest horse in today's field and all going well could win a few more Champion Chases.
Kerry Orchid and Huncheon Chance are the only remaining Irish runners. Visored for the first time the former finished a well beaten third behind compatriot Elegant Lord in the Cheltenham Foxhunters but might have less to do in the Martell sponsored equivalent.
Edward O'Grady's charge will again be ridden by Philip Fenton who opened his Festival account on stable companion Loving Around in the National Hunt Chase.
The Ian Ferguson trained Huncheon Chance, a faller at Naas last time out will be ridden by his old partner and champion elect Tony McCoy in the Oddbins Handicap Hurdle.
This consistent hurdler previously won easily over today's distance at Fairyhouse, beating Final Run who ran a fine race in Cheltenham's Hamlet Gold Card Handicap Hurdle, weakening only from the last flight and possibly failing to stay.
