Minella Rocco top weight for Grand National at Aintree

Jonjo O'Neill feels Minella Rocco has all the attributes to make his mark in the Randox Health Grand National after he was left at the head of the weights following the second forfeit stage.

Runner-up to Sizing John in last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup, the JP McManus-owned gelding was in line for another crack at the blue riband before being declared a non-runner on account of the testing conditions.

O'Neill has since confirmed the eight-year-old an intended runner in the Aintree spectacular on April 14 and he will carry the welter burden of 11st 10lb after the original top weight Definitly Red, Irish Gold Cup hero Edwulf and Outlander were all scratched.

Speaking from Aintree at a Grand National northern media lunch, O'Neill said: "The ground got very heavy (at Cheltenham) and, as we all know, he's got a wind problem and that ground wouldn't help him, so we saved him for here.

"So long as we get good ground, we've a good chance.

"He's won over four miles, so he just has to get another half a mile. Top weight isn't ideal, but that's the way it is and he's a big horse, so hopefully he can carry it.

"He jumps well and keeps galloping, so the National was always at the back of my mind."

The Jackdaws Castle handler memorably provided Tony McCoy with his only National success aboard Don't Push It in 2010 and would love to add to his tally.

He added: "You need a lot of luck and obviously a horse that jumps and stays.

"On paper, this fellow (Minella Rocco) would be a better horse than Don't Push It, but everything has to go right."

O'Neill has a potential second string to his bow in Go Conquer (10st 13lb), who was also among 73 horses to have stood their ground.

"Whether he comes for the Topham or the National, I'm not sure," said O'Neill.

"The National is a fantastic race and it's worth a lot of money. Just to be part of it and enjoy it is magical.

"Aintree has an electricity around it and to be involved in anything here is fantastic."

Second on the list behind Minella Rocco is ante-post favourite Blaklion, who is now on 11st 9lb after the weights were raised 3lb.

The nine-year-old is a best-priced 12-1 to provide trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies with a third National success following the victories of Earth Summit (1998) and Bindaree (2002).

The Irish challenge is headed by the Willie Mullins-trained Total Recall (11st 4lb), who was still in contention when falling three fences from the finish in the Gold Cup on Friday.

Tiger Roll (10st 12lb) emerged as a leading contender for Gordon Elliott by winning the Glenfarclas Chase around Cheltenham's cross-country course.

Stablemate Cause Of Causes (11st 1lb) disappointed in the same race when bidding for a fourth Festival success, but was runner-up in last year's National.

The Last Samuri (11st 7lb), third in the Glenfarclas Chase and runner-up in the 2016 Grand National, remains on course for a return to Merseyside.

Other potential runners include Gold Cup third Anibale Fly (11st 7lb), Bellshill (10st 10lb) and Gold Present (11st 3lb).