River Unshion and Back Bar will both be declared for the Martell Grand National tomorrow, even though both need several others to come out to get a place in the line-up.
River Unshion's trainer Howard Johnson said: "He is so far down the bottom of the list that I had rather given up on the idea of running him.
"But we are very keen to run him and shall definitely declare him. We would be happy to be a reserve if things work out like that.
"I would think that JP McNamara would ride him if he gets in. He is very well and has jumped round there before."
Johnson's other entry Forestal, will run in the John Hughes Memorial Chase at Aintree on Friday.
Ginger McCain will declare Back Bar, who is at the bottom of the handicap for the National as well as for the John Hughes Chase the day before.
"We will leave him in both races and see what happens but if we could we would love to run him in the National," said the trainer.
"We would be happy for him to be a reserve for the National if he gets into that group, and surely they cannot fine me if we declare him for both races in such circumstances."
McCain has not yet booked a jockey for Back Bar for the National.
He said: "I didn't want any of the boys to commit themselves to him until we knew whether he had any chance of running. I am sure we will get one, but if necessary I will come out of retirement and ride him myself."
Overflowing River will be put on the reserve list if he does not get in the race. His alternative engagement is Sunday's Grimthorpe Gold Cup at the Middleton point-to-point at Whitwell - which he won last year.
Sedgefield permit-holder John Wade said: "I would really love to run Overflowing River in the National but we must wait and see what comes out of the race before we can make any plans.
"As far as a jockey is concerned, I want to see who becomes available in the National."
Irish trainer Arthur Moore is still considering running Ryhane in the National, though he felt a more realistic target would be the John Hughes Trophy on Friday.
"It doesn't look very likely that Ryhane will get in the National and we will be looking at the John Hughes for him," he said.
Eugene O'Sullivan hopes to run Another Excuse and will nominate him as a reserve.
Philip Hobbs does not want Full Of Oats to be a reserve, and expects that the 14-year-old will get eliminated.
