 Amberleigh House is set to defend its win this April |
A record 152 horses have been entered for this year's Grand National. The total for the event - held at Aintree on 9 April - beats the previous best of 149 in 2003 and is well clear of last year's tally of 122.
Only a maximum of 40 can start the race, which now boasts record prize money of �700,000.
Last year's winner, Amberleigh House, which won by three lengths and is trained by Ginger McCain, is among those on the initial entry list.
The first seven home from 2004 have all been entered and there are a record 36 Irish entries.
Owner JP McManus has 19 entries, including Clan Royal, joint favourite at 14-1.
Aintree managing director Charles Barnett said: "This is an exciting year...with a major increase in prize money.
"So we are delighted to see this record number of entries including so many with strong claims from Britain, Ireland and France."
MMIX
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