Pearl heads Aintree weights Florida Pearl today leapfrogged over First Gold to head the weights for the Martell Grand National.The Pertemps King George VI Chase winner tops the handicap unveiled this morning for the Aintree showpiece on 11st 12lb, 1lb ahead of his French rival - who finished only fourth at Kempton and has since suffered a season-ending injury.It is the first time the top-weight in the world`s most famous steeplechase has been allocated less than 12st since Master Oats headed the field on 11st 10lb in 1996.The Willie Mullins-trained gelding had 11st 13lb when second-top behind See More Business last year, though he did not take his chance in the race.Stable-companion Alexander Banquet has 11st 6lb, compared to 11st 9lb in 2001.Fellow leading Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hopes Behrajan and Rince Ri have 11-8 with Marlborough on 11-7 but the presence of such class horses has not led to a compression of the handicap.No fewer than 33 horses figure on at least the minimum weight of10st, including Norman Mason`s 2001 National winner Red Marauder (10-9) and his stable-companion Red Striker (10-8).Last year`s only other finishers are each entered again, with Smarty on 9-10 and the remounted pair Blowing Wind and Papillon (the 2000 winner) on 10-1 and 10-11 respectively.A total of 139 horses have been allocated a weight for the April 6th contest, with five of the original entries not qualified.
