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Underdog stories, a Nicholls resurgence and a greater balance - the Grand National entries offer plenty of hope

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Deputy news editor
Paul Townend (right) clears The Chair on his way to winning the Grand National on I Am Maximus
The Grand National entries were released on TuesdayCredit: Michael Steele

The road to the Grand National is officially under way after the entries were unveiled on Tuesday, and there were plenty of grounds for optimism.

Although it’s a familiar story at the very top of the early market – which is headed by last year’s Willie Mullins-trained winner I Am Maximus – there are plenty of yards with contenders who are either in brand new territory, or, in the case of Paul Nicholls in particular, renewing their involvement.

The pivot in National entries through the lens of the trainers’ championship fight is interesting. Last season it was Dan Skelton who led the way with British entries. This season he tops the trainers' table by more than £600,000, his most promising position as he chases a first title, but he is without representation in the big one at Aintree. 

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