A huge entry of 126 horses, the highest number since 2008, has been unveiled for the £1-million Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree.

The 2016 figure is the second highest level of entries in the last 10 years and marks a significant vote of confidence for the race which has a maximum field of 40 on Saturday, April 9th.

This year sees the 169th running of the race and the first with a new later start time of 5.15pm, designed to maximise the audience for broadcasters.

The entries for the 2016 Grand National feature the previous two winners - 2015 hero Many Clouds and Pineau De Re (Dr Richard Newland) who took the spoils in 2014.

Five of the first six horses home last year are entered again with runner-up Saint Are (Tom George), fourth Alvarado (Fergal O'Brien), fifth Shutthefrontdoor (Jonjo O'Neill) and sixth Royale Knight (Dr Richard Newland) all engaged. Alvarado was also fourth in 2014.

Many Clouds is attempting to become the first horse to win back-to-back renewals of the Grand National since the great Red Rum in 1973 and 1974. The nine-year-old ran very well on his latest appearance to finish second in the BetBright Trial Chase at Cheltenham last Saturday.

SEVEN FROM MULLINS

This year's entries include plenty of high-class performers. The seven entries from Ireland's champion trainer Willie Mullins include the multiple Grade 1 winner and 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup second Sir Des Champs as well as Don Poli, whose three Grade 1 victories include the 2015 RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and this season's Lexus Chase at Leopardstown. Their owner, Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud, is responsible for 10 entries, more than any other owner.

A total of 38 entries are trained in Ireland. Ted Walsh has entered Seabass, who achieved the best finishing position for a female rider when third in 2012 under his amateur jockey daughter and Grand National Ambassador Katie Walsh. The Co Kildare handler has also put in Foxrock, a staying-on third behind Don Poli last time out.

Gordon Elliott was responsible for the last Irish-trained winner of the Grand National with Silver Birch in 2007 and his half-dozen entries include Ucello Conti, who has run well when placed in valuable handicap chases on his last two starts, and Causes Of Causes, successful in the four-mile National Hunt Chase at last season's Cheltenham Festival before finishing eighth in the Grand National.

Other interesting Irish-trained contenders include the Grade 1 winner Gilgamboa (Enda Bolger), last season's Scottish Grand National second Goonyella (Jim Dreaper) and Thunder And Roses (Sandra Hughes), winner of the 2015 Irish Grand National.

BRASSIL TAKES AIM

Double Seven (Martin Brassil) finished third under Sir AP McCoy behind Pineau De Re in 2014 and is being geared up for another tilt at the Aintree spectacular after missing last season through injury. He is one of nine entries owned by J.P. McManus who was successful with Don't Push It in 2010.

The 10-year-old won five consecutive races in the build-up to the 2014 Grand National and ran a fine race to be third in the big race but did not appear again until lining up over hurdles at Punchestown on December 31st. He has raced once more, finishing ninth in a Pertemps qualifier over hurdles at the same course last weekend.

Martin Brassil, who sent out Numbersixvalverde to win the 2006 Crabbie's Grand National, said: "Double Seven is grand. He's had the two runs over hurdles but it is hard to know what to make of them because he is not a soft ground horse.

"We are taking it one step at a time at the moment and we won't really know where we are until he runs in a race when the conditions are right for him. He wants nice ground.

"I'm not sure what we are going to do between now and Aintree. He could have a run over fences but we will see how he is."

Paul Nicholls, successful in 2012 with Neptune Collonges, is the trainer with most entries, with nine in total. These are headed by Silviniaco Conti, whose six Grade 1 wins include two King George VI Chases. Another leading contender from the champion jump trainer is Just A Par, successful in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown Park last season.

A number of entries have already scored over the Grand National fences, including Highland Lodge (James Moffatt) who took the Betfred Becher Chase in December, and Triolo D'Alene (Nicky Henderson), who was the impressive winner of the 2013 Topham Chase.

Other leading entries include Soll (David Pipe), successful in a valuable veterans' handicap chase at Sandown last month and The Druids Nephew (Neil Mulholland, 25/1), who was leading the field when falling at Valentine's on the second circuit in 2015. Two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners have been entered - 2011 victor Long Run (Robert Waley-Cohen) and 2014 scorer Lord Windermere (Jim Culloty).

Owners Paul and Clare Rooney have two interesting contenders in Kruzhlinin (Philip Hobbs), a comfortable winner at Kempton Park last month, and The Last Samuri (Kim Bailey, who landed a valuable handicap chase in impressive fashion at the same course in December.

The name McCain is synonymous with the Grand National. The late Ginger McCain sent out the only three-time winner with Red Rum (1973, 1974 and 1977) and also enjoyed success with Amberleigh House in 2004, while his son Donald saddled the 2011 scorer Ballabriggs and has one entry this year in Corrin Wood.

The weights for the Grand National are framed by the British Horseracing Authority's Head of Handicapping, Phil Smith, and will be unveiled at the Sky Garden in the heart of London on Tuesday, February 16th.

The Grand National is the only handicap of the year where Smith has absolute discretion to deviate from the normal handicap ratings when determining the weights.

THE CRABBIE'S GRAND NATIONAL

Grade 3 handicap chase, £1 million. Saturday, April 9, 2016, four miles, two and a half furlongs (4m 2f 74yds).

Horse Age Owner Trainer

AACHEN 12 Tony Bloom Venetia Williams

AERLITE SUPREME (IRE) 9 M J Haines Evan Williams

ALVARADO (IRE) 11 William & Angela Rucker Fergal O'Brien

AMIGO (FR) 9 A L Cohen & Willsford Racing David Pipe

ANY CURRENCY (IRE) 13 Cash Is King Martin Keighley

BALLY BEAUFORT (IRE) 8 R J Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies

BALLYCASEY (IRE) 9 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE

BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) 10 Allan Stennett David Pipe

BEAR'S AFFAIR (IRE) 10 G B Barlow Nicky Henderson

BENBENS (IRE) 11 S Such & C G Paletta Nigel Twiston-Davies

BENVOLIO (IRE) 9 Patricia Thompson Paul Nicholls

BIG WATER (IRE) 8 Elm Row Racing Syndicate Alan Swinbank

BISHOPS ROAD (IRE) 8 Alan Halsall Kerry Lee

BLACK THUNDER (FR) 9 Donlon, MacDonald, Fulton & Webb Paul Nicholls

BLESS THE WINGS (IRE) 11 Adrian Butler/S P O'Connor Gordon Elliott IRE

BOB FORD (IRE) 9 The JJ Partnership Rebecca Curtis

BOSTON BOB (IRE) 11 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE

BROADWAY BUFFALO (IRE) 8 Jo Tracey David Pipe

BUYWISE (IRE) 9 T Hywel Jones Evan Williams

CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) 10 J P McManus John Kiely IRE

CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) 8 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE

COGRY 7 Graham and Alison Jelley Nigel Twiston-Davies

COMPETITIVE EDGE (IRE) 9 J P McManus Conor O'Dwyer IRE

CORRIN WOOD (IRE) 9 Dermot Hanafin Robert Rose Ian Whitfield Donald McCain

DARE TO ENDEAVOUR 9 Aidan Ryan Eric McNamara IRE

DARK LOVER (GER) 11 The Dark Lovers Jamie Snowden

DOING FINE (IRE) 8 Carl Hinchy Rebecca Curtis

DON POLI (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE

DOUBLE ROSS (IRE) 10 Options O Syndicate Nigel Twiston-Davies

DOUBLE SEVEN (IRE) 10 J P McManus Martin Brassil IRE

DROMNEA (IRE) 9 Mrs A M Daly Mouse Morris IRE

EMPEROR'S CHOICE (IRE) 9 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams

FINANCIAL CLIMATE (IRE) 9 Sara Fillery & Friends Oliver Sherwood

FIREBIRD FLYER (IRE) 9 R E R Williams Evan Williams

FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

FOXROCK (IRE) 8 Barry Connell Ted Walsh IRE

GALLANT OSCAR (IRE) 10 J P McManus Tony Martin IRE

GAS LINE BOY (IRE) 10 The Three Graces Jim Best

GILGAMBOA (IRE) 8 J P McManus Enda Bolger IRE

GODSMEJUDGE (IRE) 10 Favourites Racing Ltd David Dennis

GOLDEN CHIEFTAIN (IRE) 11 Brocade Racing Colin Tizzard

GOLDEN WONDER (IRE) 10 P M Cooney Sandra Hughes IRE

GOONYELLA (IRE) 9 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Jim Dreaper IRE

GRAY HESSION (IRE) 9 A D Gray Jonjo O'Neill

HADRIAN'S APPROACH (IRE) 9 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes Nicky Henderson

HARRY THE VIKING 11 Jim Beaumont & Quona Thomson Sandy Thomson

HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE) 10 Bowes Lodge Stables James Moffatt

HOLYWELL (IRE) 9 Gay Smith Jonjo O'Neill

HOME FARM (IRE) 9 Chris Jones Henry de Bromhead IRE

HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) 9 Mrs Julian Blackwell Venetia Williams

IKORODU ROAD 13 W J Odell Graeme McPherson

INDIAN CASTLE (IRE) 8 Askew Dick Hernon Reynard Ian Williams

JUST A PAR (IRE) 9 Graham Roach & Paul Barber Paul Nicholls

KATENKO (FR) 10 Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams

KATKEAU (FR) 9 Prof Caroline Tisdall, J A Gent, R C Wilkin David Pipe

KNOCK HOUSE (IRE) 7 Tim Radford Mick Channon

KRUZHLININ (GER) 9 Paul & Clare Rooney Philip Hobbs

LE REVE (IRE) 8 Pat Betts Lucy Wadham

LIVING NEXT DOOR (IRE) 10 John Breslin Tony Martin IRE

LONG RUN (FR) 11 Robert Waley-Cohen Robert Waley-Cohen

LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) 10 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE

MAGGIO (FR) 11 Douglas Pryde/James Beaumont Patrick Griffin IRE

MANY CLOUDS (IRE) 9 Trevor Hemmings Oliver Sherwood

MENDIP EXPRESS (IRE) 10 David Maxwell Racing Limited Philip Hobbs

MIDNIGHT PRAYER 11 The Legends Partnership Alan King

MILBOROUGH (IRE) 10 Helen Cross Ian Duncan

MON PARRAIN (FR) 10 David Maxwell Racing Limited Paul Nicholls

MORNING ASSEMBLY (IRE) 9 Clipper Logistics Group Ltd Pat Fahy IRE

MOUNTAINOUS (IRE) 11 Hartley Phillips Roseff Shields Kerry Lee

MR MOONSHINE (IRE) 12 Douglas Pryde, Jim Beaumont, David van der Hoeven 1 Sue Smith

NED STARK (IRE) 8 The Dunkley & Reilly Partnership Alan King

NIGHT IN MILAN (IRE) 10 Richard Collins Keith Reveley

NO SECRETS (IRE) 12 Malcolm Denmark Tony Martin IRE

O'FAOLAINS BOY (IRE) 9 Trembath, Hyde, Outhart & Hill Rebecca Curtis

ON HIS OWN (IRE) 12 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE

ONENIGHTINVIENNA (IRE) 7 Judith Luff Philip Hobbs

OPEN HEARTED 9 Craig Buckingham Dan Skelton

OPERATING (IRE) 9 Paul & Clare Rooney Gordon Elliott IRE

OUR FATHER (IRE) 10 The Ives & Johnson Families Gordon Elliott IRE

PAINT THE CLOUDS 11 Peter Deal & Jill & Robin Eynon Warren Greatrex

PENDRA (IRE) 8 J P McManus Charlie Longsdon

PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE) 9 ISL Recruitment Fergal O'Brien

PINEAU DE RE (FR) 13 John Provan Dr Richard Newland

PORTRAIT KING (IRE) 11 James Beaumont & Douglas Pryde Patrick Griffin IRE

PRESENT VIEW 8 Sir Chips Keswick Jamie Snowden

RATHLIN 11 Masters Of The Hall 2 Micky Hammond

RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (FR) 11 Andrew Wiles Venetia Williams

RIVAGE D'OR (FR) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE

ROCKY CREEK (IRE) 10 The Johnson & Stewart Families Paul Nicholls

ROGUE ANGEL (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

ROI DU MEE (FR) 11 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE

ROYALE KNIGHT 10 Chris Stedman & R J Corsan Dr Richard Newland

RULE THE WORLD 9 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE

RUSSE BLANC (FR) 9 Mark Jackson Kerry Lee

SAINT ARE (FR) 10 David Fox Tom George

SAM WINNER (FR) 9 Angela Yeoman Paul Nicholls

SAROQUE (IRE) 9 Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams

SEABASS (IRE) 13 Gunners Syndicate Ted Walsh IRE

SEEBRIGHT 9 Mrs D J Fleming Victor Dartnall

SHOTGUN PADDY (IRE) 9 Axom (XXXVI) Emma Lavelle

SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) 9 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill

SILVINIACO CONTI (FR) 10 Potensis Bloodstock Ltd & Chris Giles Paul Nicholls

SIR DES CHAMPS (FR) 10 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE

SOLL 11 Derrick Mossop David Pipe

SPLASH OF GINGE 8 John Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies

SPRING HEELED (IRE) 9 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE

STANDING OVATION (IRE) 9 The Bravo Partnership David Pipe

SUMMERY JUSTICE (IRE) 12 Mrs H Brown Venetia Williams

THE DRUIDS NEPHEW (IRE) 9 The Stonehenge Druids Neil Mulholland

THE LAST SAMURI (IRE) 8 Paul & Clare Rooney Kim Bailey

THE ROMFORD PELE (IRE) 9 Trembath & Outhart Rebecca Curtis

THIRD INTENTION (IRE) 9 Robert and Sarah Tizzard Colin Tizzard

THUNDER AND ROSES (IRE) 8 Gigginstown House Stud Sandra Hughes IRE

TOUR DES CHAMPS (FR) 9 Caroline Mould Nigel Twiston-Davies

TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) 9 Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr Nicky Henderson

TURBAN (FR) 9 Edward O'Connell Willie Mullins IRE

UCELLO CONTI (FR) 8 Simon Munir Gordon Elliott IRE

UNIONISTE (FR) 8 John Hales Paul Nicholls

VALSEUR LIDO (FR) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Willie Mullins IRE

VICS CANVAS (IRE) 13 Bodeen Bandits Partnership Dermot McLoughlin IRE

VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR) 7 Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent David Pipe

WONDERFUL CHARM (FR) 8 Robin Geffen Paul Nicholls

WOODFORD COUNTY 9 The Englands and Heywoods Philip Hobbs

WOUNDED WARRIOR (IRE) 7 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE

WYCK HILL (IRE) 12 J P McManus David Bridgwater

ZIGA BOY (FR) 7 Axom LI Alan King

126 entries

38 Irish-trained

Breakdown of entries by trainer with past successes in the Grand National

9 entries

Paul Nicholls (2012 Neptune Collonges)

Benvolio

Black Thunder

Just A Par

Mon Parrain

Rocky Creek

Sam Winner

Silviniaco Conti

Unioniste

Wonderful Charm

7 Entries

Willie Mullins IRE (2005 Hedgehunter)

Ballycasey

Boston Bob

Don Poli

On His Own

Sir Des Champs

Turban

Valseur Lido

David Pipe (2008 Comply Or Die)

Amigo

Ballynagour

Broadway Buffalo

Katkeau

Soll

Standing Ovation

Vieux Lion Rouge

Venetia Williams (2009 Mon Mome)

Aachen

Emperor's Choice

Houblon des Obeaux

Katenko

Rigadin de Beauchene

Saroque

Summery Justice

6 Entries

Gordon Elliott IRE (2007 Silver Birch)

Bless The Wings

Cause of Causes

Operating

Our Father

Roi du Mee

Ucello Conti

Nigel Twiston-Davies (1998 Earth Summit, 2002 Bindaree)

Bally Beaufort

Benbens

Cogry

Double Ross

Splash of Ginge

Tour des Champs

4 Entries

Rebecca Curtis

Bob Ford

Doing Fine

O'Faolains Boy

The Romford Pele

Philip Hobbs

Kruzhlinin

Mendip Express

Onenightinvienna

Woodford County

Mouse Morris IRE

Dromnea

First Lieutenant

Rogue Angel

Rule The World

Tony Martin IRE

Gallant Oscar

Living Next Door

No Secrets

Rivage d'Or

3 Entries

Nicky Henderson

Bear's Affair

Hadrian's Approach

Triolo d'Alene

Alan King

Midnight Prayer

Ned Stark

Ziga Boy

Kerry Lee

Bishops Road

Mountainous

Russe Blanc

Jonjo O'Neill (2010 Don't Push It)

Gray Hession

Holywell

Shutthefrontdoor

Evan Williams

Aerlite Supreme

Buywise

Firebird Flyer

2 Entries

Jim Culloty IRE

Lord Windermere

Spring Heeled

Patrick Griffin IRE

Maggio

Portrait King

Sandra Hughes IRE

Golden Wonder

Thunder And Roses

Dr Richard Newland (2014 Pineau De Re)

Pineau De Re

Royale Knight

Fergal O'Brien

Alvarado

Perfect Candidate

Oliver Sherwood (2015 Many Clouds)

Financial Climate

Many Clouds

Jamie Snowden

Dark Lover

Present View

Colin Tizzard

Golden Chieftain

Third Intention

Ted Walsh IRE (2000 Papillon)

Foxrock

Seabass

1 Entry

Kim Bailey (1990 Mr Frisk)

The Last Samuri

Martin Brassil IRE (2006 Numbersixvalverde)

Double Seven

Jim Best

Gas Line Boy

Enda Bolger IRE

Gilgamboa

David Bridgwater

Wyck Hill

Mick Channon

Knock House

Victor Dartnall

Seebright

Henry de Bromhead IRE

Home Farm

David Dennis

Godsmejudge

Jim Dreaper IRE

Goonyella

Ian Duncan

Milborough

Pat Fahy IRE

Morning Assembly

Tom George

Saint Are

Warren Greatrex

Paint The Clouds

Micky Hammond

Rathlin

Martin Keighley

Any Currency

John Kiely IRE

Carlingford Lough

Emma Lavelle

Shotgun Paddy

Charlie Longson

Pendra

Donald McCain (2011 Ballabriggs)

Corrin Wood

Eric McNamara IRE

Dare To Endeavour

Graeme McPherson

Ikorodu Road

Dermot McLoughlin IRE

Vics Canvas

Noel Meade IRE

Wounded Warrior

James Moffatt

Highland Lodge

Neil Mulholland

The Druids Nephew

Conor O'Dwyer IRE

Competitive Edge

Keith Reveley

Night In Milan

Dan Skelton

Open Hearted

Sue Smith (2013 Auroras Encore)

Mr Moonshine

Alan Swinbank

Big Water

Sandy Thomson

Harry The Viking

Lucy Wadham

Le Reve

Robert Waley-Cohen

Long Run

Ian Williams

Indian Castle

Breakdown of entries by selected owners with past successes in the Grand National

10 Entries

Gigginstown House Stud

Don Poli

First Lieutenant

Rivage d'Or

Rogue Angel

Roi du Mee

Rule The World

Sir Des Champs

Thunder And Roses

Valseur Lido

Wounded Warrior

9 Entries

J P McManus (2010 Don't Push It)

Carlingford Lough

Cause of Causes

Competitive Edge

Double Seven

Gallant Oscar

Gilgamboa

Pendra

Shutthefrontdoor

Wyck Hill

4 Entries

Douglas Pryde & Jim Beaumont/Douglas Pryde, Jim Beaumont, David van der Hoeven/Jim Beaumont & Douglas Pryde/Jim Beaumont & Quona Thompson (2013 Auroras Encore)

Harry The Viking

Maggio

Mr Moonshine

Portrait King

2 Entries

Dr Ronan Lambe

Lord Windermere

Spring Heeled

Andrea & Graham Wylie

On His Own

Boston Bob

1 Entry

John Hales (2012 Neptune Collonges)

Unioniste

Trevor Hemmings (2005 Hedgehunter, 2011 Ballabriggs, 2015 Many Clouds)

Many Clouds

Caroline Mould (her late husband Raymond owned the 2002 winner Bindaree)

Tour Des Champs

Ann & Alan Potts Partnership

Goonyella

William & Angela Rucker (have had a placed horse for the last seven runnings)

Alvarado

Robert Waley-Cohen

Long Run