Gold Cup fifth Behrajan is on course for Aintree

All the main contenders stood their ground after the forfeit stage for the big race on 5 April.

A maximum field of 40 will line up for the event over four-and-a-half miles.

Report: Walsh retires National hero Papillon

But the 2000 winner Papillon will not be among them, after Irish trainer Ted Walsh decided to retire the 12-year-old gelding.

This year's race looks set to be a high-quality contest, including the likes of Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup fifth Behrajan, Chives, who led the field at Cheltenham for much of the race, and top weight Marlborough.

Hussard Collonges, who disappointed in the Gold Cup, is still in the race as trainer Peter Beaumont attempts to assess what might be wrong with the horse.

He is Beaumont's sole contender, with Bobby Grant having been withdrawn while Niki Dee, third in 2000, has been retired.

Also left in the race were the Paul Nicholls' pair Ad Hoc and Shotgun Willy, who are vying for favouritism, and the 2001 Martell Foxhunters' Chase winner Gunner Welburn, now with Andrew Balding.

The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Carbury Cross, carrying the Arkle colours of Anne Duchess of Westminster, owner of the 1985 Grand National winner Last Suspect, is also on course for the race.

There are 19 Irish-trained entries remaining, headed by J P McManus' Youlneverwalkalone, winner of the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase at last week's Cheltenham Festival.

Report: Davids Lad to miss 2003 Grand National

However, Davids Lad looks set to miss the race after his owners lost a High Court appeal against a six-week ban from racing.

Thirty horses were taken out at the forfeit stage with the most notable absentees being Florida Pearl, who shared top weight with Marlborough, and Tote Becher Chase winner Ardent Scout.

Charles Barnett, Aintree's managing director, said "Numerically it's tremendous that we've still got over 100 horses remaining at the final stage before the five-day declarations.

"Interestingly this is more than the number of initial entries in many races before the year 2000."