National Update

Last year's winner Don't Push It heads a maximum field of 40 runners in the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

The 11-year-old gave Tony McCoy an emotional first victory in the world's most famous steeplechase 12 months ago and bids to repeat the dose under top weight.

O'Neill issued an upbeat bulletin ahead of his bid for history by saying: "He's in great form, he's had a good prep and he's very well in himself."

McCoy added: "He seems in good shape and I thought he ran a nice race in the Pertemps at Cheltenham - his form has been progressing."

Jimmy Moffatt's Chief Dan George just missed out by two for a run 12 months ago after he had won at Cheltenham and while he's not in the same form this year, Moffatt feels he is coming to hand.

"He missed out by two last year and (handicapper) Phil Smith told me that if he had got in, he would probably have gone off favourite," said Moffatt. "It is just a job to get the horse to the parade ring. But, after that, if he gets into a rhythm over the first three or four fences and jumps well, he should go well."

The McCain family will always be associated with the race following the exploits of Red Rum and Donald, former trainer Ginger's son, has a live chance with Ballabriggs.

"When Amberleigh House (2004 winner) came to us he was a two-and-a-half-miler and a very good work horse. You need a horse who can travel round Aintree and a lot of horses get outpaced and that is when accidents start happening. Ballabriggs wouldn't want either extreme of ground, but good or good to soft would be absolutely fine," said McCain.

There were three withdrawals at the 48-hour declaration stage - the Irish-trained duo of Northern Alliance and Our Monty while Nigel Twiston-Davies also took out Roll Along. That means Nicky Richards' Skippers Brig and Adrian Maguire's Golden Kite are guaranteed a run.