PEARL TOPS AINTREE WEIGHTS Florida Pearl heads the 100 horses who have stood their ground for the Martell Grand National at Aintree on April 7th, it was revealed today. Willie Mullins` charge, winner of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown for the third time earlier this month, now tops the handicap following the withdrawal of See More Business at Tuesday`s forfeit stage. However, the nine-year-old has only been left in the Stg#500,000 contest as an option should something go wrong with his Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup challenge. Mullins said: 'He`s going to Cheltenham, he`d only run in the National if he were to fall at the first or miss Cheltenham. 'He`s been left in there so we have another option and it`s not part of the plan.' The most significant of the 33 defectors is Florida Pearl`s stablemate Alexander Banquet, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a slight tendon injury. 'There is very, very little damage but we just felt we should take a pull and bring himback next season when he can compete with horses of the highest ability,' Mullins said. Mullins` Micko`s Dream, who fell at the first in last year`s National, is a possible for this term`s renewal. The trainer added: 'Micko`s Dream is in the Nakayama Grand Jump, the Aintree National and will be entered in the Irish National. 'We will decide where he goes later - he will only run in one of them - but I`m leaning towards Aintree.' Trainer Ferdy Murphy has confirmed that Streamstown, who is set to run in Saturday`s De Vere Gold Cup at Haydock could take his chance at Aintree. Murphy said: 'Streamstown runs at Haydock and we`ll see how we go. 'He`s in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at Cheltenham but he`ll only run there if the ground is heavy. 'I`ve left him in the Martell Grand National - he`s only seven - but he`s on a very attractive weight. It`s one day at a time.' Apart from Alexander Banquet and See More Business the most notable withdrawals are The Outback Way, Luzcadou, Good Lord Murphy and 1999 National winner Bobbyjo, who has been ruled out by injury. Three of the five French-trained entries - Grey Jack, Gadz`art and Belussac - are also absentees.
