Aintree Grand National organisers have confirmed 126 entries for the April 9th race. It is the biggest entry in the historic race since 150 entries were received for the 2008 race.
A maximum of 40 horses will make the final cut. Many Clouds won the race last year and leads the entry list this year. Leighton Aspell was on board the gelding last year and also won the 2014 race on board Pineau de Re.
The 126 entries for the Grand National @AintreeRaces represents the highest number since 2008. pic.twitter.com/ywBRrbZ4hN
— PA Racing (@PAracing) February 3, 2016
Many Clouds is looking to become the first horse to win back-to-back renewals of the Grand National since the great Red Rum in 1973 and 1974. Reynoldstown is the only other horse to win the race on more than one occasion in the past 100 years.
Wille Mullins accounts for seven of Ireland's 38 entries. Don Poli and Sir Des Champs are among Mullins' hopes in the race. The last Irish-trained horse to win the race was Silver Birch in 2007.
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