BEAU MAY CARRY NATIONAL TOP-WEIGHT

Last year`s Whitbread Gold Cup winner Beau may have to carry top weight of 11st 10lb in next month`s Martell Grand National.

With other suitable opportunities under threat, a bumper total of 73 horses have been left in the National field after the second forfeit stage today.

Many of the leading names have stood their ground for the April 7th contest, with Marlborough now heading the weights following the defection of Florida Pearl.

A weights rise of 4lb takes Marlborough to 11st 10lb, leaving no less than 28 horses in the handicap.

However with Marlborough unlikely to take his chance in the race, top weight may end up being carried by the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Beau, his trainer having persuaded reluctant owner Sylvia Tainton to allow the eight-year-old to take his chance.

Beau, who is currently on 11st 5lb, would have to lump 11st 10lb round Aintree should Marlborough miss the race.

Last year`s winner Papillon, trained in Co. Kildare by Ted Walsh, is still in the race as is stablemate Commanche Court, winner of last season`s Irish Grand National and Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown.

Nine other Irish-trained horses hold their ground despite the chances of their being allowed to participate appearing to be ever slimmer.

Last year`s runner-up Mely Moss is set to do battle again as are the fourth and fifth-placed Brave Highlander and Addington Boy.

Sadly, Niki Dee, will not be bidding to improve upon last year`s third in the race.

Alongside Niki Dee, among the 27 horses taken out of the race were Ferdy Murphy-trained pair, Ackzo and Streamstown and possible Irish-trained contenders Micko`s Dream, Puget Blue and Lanturn.

Provided that the Cheltenham Festival goes ahead, Marlborough will instead have his attentions focused upon the Gold Cup, leaving owner Robert Ogden without a runner in the race after the withdrawals of Fadalko and Kingsmark.

Ogden`s racing manager Barry Simpson said: 'If Cheltenham goes ahead, thenMalrborough won`t run in the Grand National but it is important to cover every possible eventuality.

'If Cheltenham was called off in the next 10 or so days then he could go to Aintree but he is also in the Scottish National.

Champion trainer Martin Pipe, who won the Martell Grand National in 1994 with Miinnehoma, accounts for no less than 13 entries, including Racing Post Chase third Dark Stranger, Take Control, and last year`s John Hughes Memorial Trophy Chase winner Northern Starlight.

There are two entries trained in France - Francois Doumen`s Djeddah, who finished ninth last year and Empereur River, trained by Jacques Ortet.

Charlie Mann reports Moral Support firmly on course for the race.

The seven-year-old could go to Newbury for a racecourse gallop on Sunday as he prepares for the contest.

Mick Fitzgerald has been booked to ride Earthmover for Ditcheat trainer Paul Nicholls.

Coral bet: 10-1 Mely Moss, Earthmover, 12-1 Beau, 16-1 Noble Lord, Edmond, 20-1 Moral Support, The Last Fling, Take Control, Dark Stranger, Smarty, General Wolfe, 25-1 Red Marauder, Paddys Return, Djeddah, Browjoshy, Supreme Charm, Inn At The Top, Marlborough, 28-1 bar.

William Hill bet: 12-1 Earthmover, Mely Moss, 16-1 Beau, Noble Lord, 20-1 Smarty, 25-1 Browjoshy, Dark Stranger, Inn At The Top, Moral Support, Paddys Return, Take Control, 33-1 Addington Boy, Djeddah, Edmond, General Wolfe, Northern Starlight, Red Ark, Red Marauder, The Last Fling, 40-1 bar.