A total of 115 entries have been made for Grand National

A total of 115 entries have been received for the Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday, April 5, a very significant increase of 31 on the 2013 figure. This is the highest number of Grand National entries since 2009 when 123 horses were put forward.

Triolo d'Alene, winner of last year's Topham Chase over the famous fences, is with champion trainer Nicky Henderson, who has yet to win a Crabbie's Grand National. The Lambourn handler has also entered 2011 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run, Hunt Ball, back from America after being a winner at the Cheltenham Festival in 2012, Shakalakaboomboom and Quantitativeeasing. Out of the first six home last year, only the third Teaforthree (Rebecca Curtis) and sixth Swing Bill (David Pipe), owned by Halewood International, parent company of the new Grand National sponsor, Crabbie's, have entries again. Sue Smith, who sent out the now-retired 2013 winner Auroras Encore at 66/1 for owners Douglas Pryde, Jim Beaumont and David van der Hoeven, relies instead on Mr Moonshine in the same ownership and recent Peter Marsh Chase second Vintage Star, owned by Trevor Hemmings who is seeking his third Grand National winner after Hedgehunter in 2005 and Ballabriggs six years later. Paul Nicholls secured his first Grand National victory with Neptune Collonges in 2012 - his 53rd runner in the great Aintree race - and has made seven entries this year. Enigmatic 13-year-old Tidal Bay heads the septet following a fine third under top-weight in the Welsh National won by Mountainous (Richard Lee) at Chepstow over Christmas. Nicholls is also responsible for Hawkes Point, who was second in the Chepstow highlight, London National winner There's No Panic, Argento Chase runner-up Rocky Creek, Kauto Stone, Mon Parrain and Sire Collonges. Jonjo O'Neill, successful with Don't Push It for principal patron J P McManus (who has 11 entries this year) in 2010, has also made seven entries, headed by the same owner's Sunnyhillboy, beaten a nose by Neptune Collonges in 2012, Alfie Sherrin, Merry King, Burton Port, Lost Glory, Storm Survivor and Twirling Magnet. David Pipe, who sent out Comply Or Die to win in 2008, has six engaged, with Swing Bill joined by Badger Ales Trophy winner Standing Ovation, lightly-raced eight-year-old Our Father, Goulanes, Junior and The Package. Other notable entries include Scottish Grand National scorer Godsmejudge (Alan King) and Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner Same Difference (Nigel Twiston-Davies). Leading hunter chaser Mossey Joe (Enda Bolger) has been entered after being purchased by Irish owner Barry Connell, while Ted Walsh, successful with Papillon in 2000, could again be represented by Colbert Station and Seabass, the 11/2 favourite last year. Seabass, third in 2012, finished 13th under Katie Walsh last year. Weights for the Crabbie's Grand National are framed by the British Horseracing Authority's Head of Handicapping, Phil Smith, and will be revealed at the annual Crabbie's Grand National launch in London on Tuesday, February 11. The Crabbie's Grand National is the only handicap of the year where Smith has absolute discretion over the weights. The official can deviate from the normal handicap ratings and often does, particularly with horses high in the handicap. Run over 30 fences and four miles, three and a half furlongs, the Aintree race is a global attraction, watched by over 600 million worldwide. Andrew Tulloch, Aintree's Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing, said today: "We are thrilled with both the quality and quantity of entries for the 2014 Crabbie's Grand National, which with a prize fund of £1 million is easily the richest jump race ever run outside of Japan. "A Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Long Run, and high-class Tidal Bay are the likely top-weights and we are eagerly awaiting the weights' announcement on February 11."