Pearl left in National but unlikely runner

Florida Pearl, winner of the 2001 Pertemps King George VI Chase, was a surprise acceptor at the five-day stage for the Martell Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

But his trainer Willie Mullins has confirmed the National top weight is unlikely to take his place on Saturday.

He also holds engagements in the Martell Cup on the Thursday and the Melling Chase on the Friday.

Mullins said: 'Florida Pearl is in three races, the Martell Cup on Thursday, the Mumm Melling Chase on Friday and the Martell Grand National but he is most likely to run in the Martell Cup.

'The only reason he was declared for the other races was in case anything went wrong with the travelling arrangements for his run on Thursday. He almost certainly will not be declared for the Grand National.'

If Florida Pearl is an absentee, Marlborough, one of three Sir Robert Ogden-owned entries, will carry top weight of 11st 12lb.

All the leading fancies stood their ground while the only major absentee at this stage was the 2000 winner Papillon who was withdrawn as expected by trainer Ted Walsh after suffering a slight setback in his preparations.

Martin Pipe has revealed that he is planning to run as many of his entries as possible.

Pipe has 12 horses left among the 71 acceptors at the five day stage for the Aintree marathon and just three of those, Carryonharry, L`Epicurien and Nocksky, are out of the handicap at the moment.

The champion trainer had come in for some criticism from Ginger McCain, trainer of fellow National hope Amberleigh House, over the weekend.

McCain needs eight horses to withdraw from the field before his horse will get a run and he slated Pipe for having so many runners entered in the race.

But Pipe, whose main hope would be second favourite Blowing Wind is determined to send as many runners as possible to post.

He said: 'The intention is to run all those that are in the handicap. Imperial de Thaix is the only one who might not run as he is in at Ascot on Wednesday.

'I won`t be disappointing Mr McCain personally. If the owners want to run then that`s it.'

The going on the Grand National course is currently good, good to soft in places while the Mildmay course is good and the hurdle track is good, good to firm in places.

On the betting front, Coral have reported some support for Irish challenger Davids Lad and the Philip Hobbs-trained What`s Up Boys. Davids Lad is now 11-1 from 14-1 while What`s Up Boys has shortened up to 16-1 from 20s.

Coral bet: 8-1 Blowing Wind, Ad Hoc, 11-1 Davids Lad, 12-1 Moor Lane, Beau, 14-1 Alexander Banquet, 16-1 Marlborough, What`s Up Boys, 20-1 Paris Pike, Gunner Welburn, 25-1 Smarty, Bindaree, Kingsmark, The Last Fling, Samuel Wilderspin, 28-1 Bar 99374423