Cloth cap is the favorite for Saturday’s race
The storyteller was the only retreat when the final field of 40 horses – led by Cloth Cap – was named after the Grand National on Saturday.
This means that Blaklion will be the last horse guaranteed a run in the great race at Aintree.
Some Neck and Welsh Grand National winners Secret Reprieve are the top reserves.
Patrick Mullins will ride the leading competitor Burrows Saint for his trainer father Willie Mullins.
Stable jockey Paul Townend will miss the ride after suffering a foot injury.
A reserve can be created if any competitors move out on Friday before 13:00 BST.
Cloth Cap, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, is the 4-1 favorite, giving owner Trevor Hemmings a fourth record win in its colors green, yellow and white.
Mullins is one of four amateur jockeys to be booked for rides in the race – with Jamie Codd on Milan Native, Derek O’Connor on OK Corral and Sam Waley-Cohen on Jett.
They want to be the first amateur rider to triumph on Mr Frisk since Marcus Armytage in 1990 and are allowed to drive after the latest lockdown easing after being banned from competition at Cheltenham Festival last month.
One contender who sure seems popular is Minella Times, the mountain of Rachael Blackmore – who made history in Cheltenham by becoming the first woman to lead the jockey at the meeting.
Bryony Frost is on Yala Enki and Tabitha Worsley rides Sub Lieutenant on the hunt to be the first female jockey to win the Grand National.
Last year’s meeting was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, while this year’s competition will take place without spectators.
The police are stepping up patrols During the race, residents near the Merseyside track warned against gathering in groups of more than six in their gardens during the races.
