Paul Townend will partner the Willie Mullins-trained favorite I Am Maximus, who has been declared in cheekpieces for the April 11 Grand National Steeplechase Handicap (NH-3). I Am Maximus, who won the National in 2024 and was second last year, has worn the aid only once before, when second in a beginners' chase in 2022.
Last year's Grand National-winning rider, Patrick Mullins, will partner second favorite Grangeclare West in this year's running after the final field of 34 was revealed for the Aintree showpiece.
Patrick Mullins famously steered Nick Rockett to success in last year's running for his father Willie, whose nine-strong team was reduced to eight April 9 after the defending champion was withdrawn from the race.
Pied Piper came into the field following Nick Rockett's removal, only to be taken out himself after being found lame.
British-based jockeys Johnny Burke and James Bowen have been handed rides for Willie Mullins, on Captain Cody and High Class Hero.
The Willie Mullins team is completed by Spanish Harlem (Brian Hayes), Lecky Watson (Sean O'Keeffe), Champ Kiely (Danny Mullins), and Quai De Bourbon (Donagh Meyler).
Spillane's Tower was left in the National at the final declaration stage, however was later withdrawn after taking up his preferred engagement of the Racing Welfare Bowl Thursday.
In both his and Pied Piper's absence, initial reserves Imperial Saint and Amirite are now guaranteed a run in the 4 5/16-mile contest.
The main market mover following declarations was Panic Attack, with Coral among the bookmakers to cut the 10-year-old into 10-1. The support has continued to come for Dan Skelton's mare, who is now a best-priced 8-1.
She landed two major prizes in the autumn, the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Steeplechase (NH-3) and Coral Gold Cup Handicap Steeplechase (NH-3), and was last seen finishing third in the Liberthine Mares' Steeplechase (NH-2) at the Cheltenham Festival.
Coral's David Stevens said April 8: "Although it's been 75 years since a mare, Nickel Coin, won the Grand National, plenty of punters are backing Panic Attack to triumph on Saturday, and having been a 16-1 chance on Monday, her odds are now down to 10-1, and it's far from impossible she could be challenging for favoritism come race time."
On the Grand National course, the going is good to soft with a dry day forecast Friday and no more rain predicted until the potential of 2-5 millimeters to fall Saturday morning.
Another eye-catching jockey booking is that of Toby McCain-Mitchell on Haydock Park's Grand National Trial Handicap Steeplechase (NH-3) runner-up Top of The Bill, one of two runners alongside Beauport for Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies.
The 5-pound claimer is a grandson of the late, great Ginger McCain, trainer of three-time Grand National hero Red Rum.
Of the 34 guaranteed a run, 22 are trained in Ireland.
