IRISH trainers account for half of the horses confirmed for Saturday’s Randox Grand National at Aintree, headed by last year’s winner, I Am Maximus.

Fifty-seven remain in contention for the £1million contest, for which a maximum field of 34 can race, plus four reserves. Last year’s impressive winner is one of eight confirmed by Willie Mullins, with others including Thyestes Chase victor Nick Rockett and Grade 1-winning chaser Grangeclare West.

Gordon Elliott has nine confirmed, Gavin Cromwell five, Henry de Bromhead two, and one each by Shark Hanlon, Tom Gibney, Martin Brassil, Joseph O’Brien and Patrick Griffin.

After confirmations, the Gavin Cromwell-trained Stumptown shares favouritism with Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s Iroko, while Tom Gibney’s Irish National hero Intense Raffles and Shark Hanlon’s stable star Hewick are close behind them in the market.

Paul Nicholls has five contenders as he goes in search of a second win in the race, with Kandoo Kid, Bravemansgame, Threeunderthrufive, Hitman and Stay Away Fay among the 57 horses to stand their ground.

Iroko has been aimed at the race all season by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, while the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Beauport will sport the colours of Bryan and Philippa Burrough, whose Corbiere created a slice of National history when Jenny Pitman became the first successful female trainer in 1983.

Broadway Boy is another for the Twiston-Davies team despite being pulled up in the Ultima at Cheltenham last time.

Following the withdrawals, Celebre d’Allen, Three Card Brag and Twig are now guaranteed a run in the 34-runner field.

A decision has still to be made on who takes the 34th and final spot between Duffle Coat, Shakem Up’Arry and Roi Mage, who are all due to carry 10st 4lb.

The place will go to the horse with the highest current handicap mark and if two or more have the same, a random ballot will take place. There will also be four reserves.

The horses confirmed a run by featuring in the top 34 by weight are:

1. I Am Maximus - J.P. McManus - W. P. Mullins

2. Royale Pagaille - Mrs S. Ricci - Venetia Williams

3. Nick Rockett - Stewart & Sadie Andrew - W. P. Mullins

4. Grangeclare West - Cheveley Park Stud - W. P. Mullins

5. Hewick - Mr T. J. McDonald - John Joseph Hanlon

6. Minella Indo - Barry Maloney - Henry de Bromhead

7. Appreciate It - Miss M. A. Masterson -W. P. Mullins

8. Minella Cocooner - David Bobbett - W. P. Mullins

9. Conflated - Gigginstown House Stud - Gordon Elliott

10. Stumptown - Furze Bush Syndicate - Gavin Cromwell

11. Hitman - Mason, Hogarth, Ferguson & Done - Paul Nicholls

12. Beauport (IRE) - Bryan & Philippa Burrough - Nigel Twiston-Davies

13. Bravemansgame - Bryan Drew - Paul Nicholls

14. Chantry House - J.P. McManus - Nicky Henderson

15. Threeunderthrufive - McNeill Family - Paul Nicholls

16. Perceval Legallois - J.P. McManus - Gavin Cromwell

17. Kandoo Kid - Michael Geoghegan - Paul Nicholls

18. Iroko - J.P. McManus - Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

19. Intense Raffles - Simon Munir/ Isaac Souede - T. Gibney

20. Senior Chief - Lucky In Life Syndicate - Henry de Bromhead

21. Idas Boy - Dozen Dreamers - Richard Phillips

22. Fil Dor - Robcour - Gordon Elliott

23. Broadway Boy - Mr D. M. Proos - Nigel Twiston-Davies

24. Coko Beach - Gigginstown House Stud - Gordon Elliott

25. Stay Away Fay - Bell, Lyons, Hill - Paul Nicholls

26. Meetingofthewaters - J.P. McManus - W. P. Mullins Ireland

27. Monbeg Genius - Martin Tedham & Wasdell Properties Ltd. - Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill

28. Vanillier - Mrs H. M. Keaveney - Gavin Cromwell

29. Horantzau d'Airy - Mr Jim Gill - Michael Keady

30. Hyland - The Ten From Seven - Nicky Henderson

31. Celebre d'Allen - Mr Allan Stennett - Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

32. Three Card Brag - Patrick & Scott Bryceland, McNeill Family - Gordon Elliott

33. Twig - Mrs G. Morgan - Ben Pauling

The 34th spot is currently between the Gordon Elliott-trained Duffle Coat, Ben Pauling-trained Shakem Up'arry and Patrick Griffin-trained Roi Mage. The horse with the highest current handicap mark will take the spot and if two or more are equally-rated, a random ballot will take place. There will also be a further four reserves.