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Field declared for Grand National
2011-04-07 23:20:34
Royal Rosa, Skippers Brig and Golden Kite were the last horses to make the 40-strong field declared for Saturday's Grand National at Aintree.
Last year's winner Don't Push It, to be ridden again by Tony McCoy, tops the weights for the big race.
There were three withdrawals at Thursday's final declarations - Roll Along, Northern Alliance and Our Monty.
Golden Kite, trained by Adrian Maguire, is number 40 in the field, with four reserves set to be named later.
It is the first British runner for Maguire, who retired from riding in 2002 after a fall at Warwick and said he was "pleased as punch".
He added: "Golden Kite is an economical jumper and just the sort of horse you need for the National. He has been in good form at home, and now that we know we are in, we can jump on the ferry."
Howard Johnson, trainer of Royal Rosa, was delighted his horse made the race, particularly as it will be the 12-year-old's last race.
"Royal Rosa will be retired after the race and it would be a fairytale if he could go out on a high. He is a horse who comes alive when he sees those big fences - he relishes he challenge and he ran well in the Becher Chase there in November, while the rain is also a plus."
Dominic Elsworth said he was "chuffed" to hear his intended mount Skippers Brig, trained by Nicky Richards, now gets in.
"I had a sit on the horse on Monday morning and he felt super. The rain was also a bonus, and I have already won the Becher and had several good spins over the big fences, so I am really looking forward to it."
In the world famous race, the horses compete over four-and-a-half miles and the course includes demanding fences such as Becher's Brook and The Chair.