A total of 115 entries, the highest since 2009, have been attracted to the first £1m Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree on April 5.
Willie Mullins, successful with Hedgehunter in 2005, has eight possibles including the Graham Wylie-owned trio of On His Own, Prince De Beauchene and Boston Bob.
The other members of the County Carlow handler's team are Leopardstown Paddy Power Chase winner Rockyaboya, Up The Beat, Vesper Bell, last season's Irish Grand National runner-up Away We Go and Quel Esprit.
Fellow Irish trainer Martin Brassil, who struck with Numbersixvalverde in 2006, could be represented in this year's showpiece by Double Seven, who was last seen completing a five-timer at Wexford in October.
The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old recorded a two-length verdict over Spring Heeled in the Munster National over three miles at Limerick earlier the same month.
Brassil said: "Double Seven has got a rating now that means he will be running in either a Crabbie's Grand National or an Irish Grand National come the spring. It's an obvious entry to make for a horse rated 146.
"He had a break for about six weeks after Wexford and is back in training now getting ready for a spring campaign. I think the good ground and fine weather we had over the summer helped him. We also put cheekpieces on and they seem to have also made a difference."
Only two of the first six home last year have entries this time; the third Teaforthree, trained by Rebecca Curtis, and the sixth, David Pipe's Swing Bill, owned by Halewood International, parent company of Crabbie's.
With last year's 66-1 winner Auroras Encore retired through injury, trainer Sue Smith relies on Mr Moonshine and Vintage Star.
Paul Nicholls secured his first National with Neptune Collonges in 2012 and has seven entries this year, headed by the 13-year-old Tidal Bay.
The Ditcheat trainer is also responsible for Welsh Grand National runner-up Hawkes Point, There's No Panic, Rocky Creek, Kauto Stone, Mon Parrain and Sire Collonges.
Jonjo O'Neill, successful with Don't Push It for principal patron McManus in 2010, has also made seven entries, headed by the same owner's Sunnyhillboy, beaten a nose by Neptune Collonges in 2012, Alfie Sherrin, Merry King, Burton Port, Lost Glory, Storm Survivor and Twirling Magnet.
Pipe, who sent out Comply Or Die to win in 2008, has six engaged with Swing Bill joined by Standing Ovation, Our Father, Goulanes, Junior and The Package.
Last season's Welsh Grand National winner Monbeg Dude, trained by Michael Scudamore, and Hennessy Gold Cup victor Triolo D'Alene are the 20-1 joint-favourites with Betfred.
Triolo D'Alene, winner of last year's Topham Chase over the famous fences, is with champion trainer Nicky Henderson, who has yet to win the race.
The Lambourn handler has also entered the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Long Run, Hunt Ball, Shakalakaboomboom and Quantitativeeasing.
Other notable entries include yhe Scottish Grand National scorer Godsmejudge from the Alan King yard and Kim Muir Challenge Cup winner Same Difference, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article