Last year's John Smith's Grand National hero Hedgehunter tops 84 horses left in Saturday's Aintree feature at the five-day stage.
Willie Mullins' 10-year-old was last seen when finishing second to War Of Attrition in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and he is set to shoulder joint top-weight of 11st 12lb along with 2005 runner-up Royal Auclair.
Clan Royal, unlucky 12 months ago when carried out at Becher's on the second circuit, stands his ground for trainer Jonjo O'Neill, while Innox could also represent his owner JP McManus.
Numbersixvalverde, general third-favourite for the four-and-a-half-mile marathon, has been left in by trainer Martin Brassil, while the Ted Walsh-trained Jack High is another possible Irish raider.
Aintree legend Ginger McCain has 2004 winner Amberleigh House, Inca Trail and Ebony Light as he bids for a glorious swansong to his training career. Both Martin Pipe and Paul Nicholls will be mob-handed.
Nicholls' squad includes Royal Auclair, Cornish Rebel, Le Roi Miguel, Eurotrek, Silver Birch, Le Duc and Heros Collonges, all of whom are guaranteed a run. Pipe, who won the race with Miinnehoma in 1994, has five in the top 40 - Therealbandit, It Takes Time, Whispered Secret, Puntal and Iznogoud.
Four horses - Risk Accessor, Direct Access, Colnel Rayburn and Iris Royal - are currently on 10st 6lb and three of the four will be guaranteed a run after National handicapper Phil Smith reassesses the race tomorrow.
Only 12 entries were taken out, with Nicky Henderson as expected removing both Fondmort and Calling Brave.
Celtic Son, Seebald, Joly Bey, Europa, Another Rum, Kymandjen, Marcus du Berlais, Coljon, Bounce Back and No Retreat were the other withdrawals.
Middleham handler Ferdy Murphy is set to be double-handed with both last year's Scottish National winner Joes Edge and Haut De Gamme.
The latter, runner-up in the Topham and fifth in the Becher Chase over the daunting National fences last year, is the choice of stable jockey Keith Mercer and David Parry, syndicate manager for owners David Parry Racing, is hoping for a big run from the 11-year-old.
"We've kept him to hurdles to protect his mark this season and it looks like it has all gone to plan," he said. "He has jumped round Aintree twice with some success and he'll be a real live contender come Saturday, especially if it keeps raining."