150 Grand National hopefuls limber up

A CLASSY entry of 150, including two Scottish-trained hopefuls, has been received for the 2008 John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on 5 April.

Last year's winner Silver Birch misses the race through injury but the three other placed horses, McKelvey, Slim Pickings and Philson Run, could all have another crack.

Willie Mullins has entered Aintree regular Hedgehunter again. If the 2005 winner turns up he will be making his fifth consecutive appearance in the race. Mullins could also be represented by the promising Snowy Morning, runner-up to Denman in last year's Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

Donald McCain, son of four-time National winner, Ginger, has three possibles – impressive Tommy Whittle winner Cloudy Lane, Idle Talk and Bannister Lane, while the pair of Scottish raiders entered are Jim Goldie's Lampion Du Bost – owned by former Rangers and Scotland international Billy Dodds – and Brooklyn Breeze, trained by Len Lungo.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has never won the race but is going all out to break his hoodoo with seven of the entries, headed by impressive Becher Chase winner Mr Pointment.

Also among his team is the Sir Robert Ogden-owned Opera Mundi, who disappointed on quick ground at the weekend.

But there is no place for Star De Mohaison, who recently returned from a long lay-off. Nicholls said: "It's been decided that Star De Mohaison will wait another year before he gets an entry so Sir Robert and I have put in Opera Mundi instead."

Peter Bowen, who trains last year's runner-up McKelvey, has another ten to choose from including former Gold Cup runner-up Take The Stand and Dunbrody Millar, already a scorer over the National fences.

Bewleys Berry and Simon, who were both going well before falling last year, are entered again. As is Longshanks, last year's seventh, but trainer Kim Bailey told his website the 11-year-old is likely to go there without a run.

"Longshanks has not run since he ran such a gallant race to finish seventh last year," said Bailey. "Longshanks has a great record of winning first time out so I just hope he keeps up his record."

Nigel Twiston-Davies has a strong squad, headed by Knowhere, while David Pipe is another with multiple entries, with Vodka Bleu and Celestial Gold interesting contenders. Beef Or Salmon, ten times a Grade One winner in Ireland, has been entered by Michael Hourigan, who could also run Hi Cloy. Top novice Joe Lively has been given the Aintree option by Colin Tizzard.

Brendan Powell, who rode Rhyme 'N' Reason to win the National in 1988, would like to run Bosham Mill. However, the ten-year-old needs to accumulate more weight to be guaranteed a run, starting off with an engagement at Doncaster this weekend.