Randox Grand National: The 40 confirmed runners and riders

Eclair Surf and Fortescue are both guaranteed a run in the Randox Grand National after Caribean Boy and Farclas were taken out of the Aintree showpiece at Thursday’s final declaration stage.

Emma Lavelle’s Eclair Surf brings strong form to the table, having won the Classic Chase at Warwick before chasing home last week’s easy Scottish National heroine Win My Wings in the Eider at Newcastle.

It looked like the eight-year-old would have to make do with a place on the reserve list, but he has made the cut as number 39 following two unexpected defections.

Caribean Boy was out to provide Nicky Henderson with an elusive first National success, but was not declared after suffering a setback.

Part-owner Simon Munir posted on Twitter: “Unfortunately, sorry to report that Caribean Boy has pulled a hamstring and will be a non-runner in Saturday’s Grand National.”

Farclas was due to be part of Gordon Elliott’s strong squad, but was also not declared, meaning Fortescue creeps in at the bottom of the field for Henry Daly.

The eight-year-old Farclas, who finished fifth last year, is waiting for Fairyhouse.

Eddie O’Leary, racing manager for Gigginstown House Stud, said: “He’s very well, he’s in really good form but we’re just wanting to go for the Irish National with him.

“The Irish National is a race very close to our hearts so that’s where he’ll go instead of Aintree. He’s perfectly well within himself, we’re just going to save him for Fairyhouse.”

After gambling on getting a run by missing last week’s Scottish National, a delighted Daly said: “I think in modern-day terminology in text or whatever, I think it goes TFFT – but I’m not totally sure what that means!

“I think it means Thank Goodness For That, or some such. According to the handicapper he is 4lb well in, but we will see how right he is.

“He has been in good form all season. His run at Ascot was great. He jumps, gallops and stays, and I don’t quite know what else you want for Aintree because I’ve never won it, but we will find out on Saturday, won’t we?”

There are four horses below him on the reserve list – Commodore (Venetia Williams), School Boy Hours (Noel Meade), Romain De Senam (David Pipe) and Roi Mage (Patrick Griffin).

The field is headed by last year’s historic winner Minella Times who is once again the mount of Rachael Blackmore.

Leading contenders for the world’s most famous steeplechase include Elliott’s pair of Delta Work and Escaria Ten, Any Second Now – third last year for Ted Walsh – and Charlie Longsdon’s grey mare Snow Leopardess, winner of the Becher Chase over the National fences earlier in the season.

1 Minella Times (IRE) ts 9 11 10 Mr John P. McManus Henry de Bromhead Ireland Rachael Blackmore

2 Delta Work (FR) ts 9 11 9 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jack Kennedy

3 Easysland (FR) ts, p 8 11 8 Mr John P. McManus Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

4 Any Second Now (IRE) bl 10 11 8 Mr John P. McManus T. M. Walsh Ireland Mark Walsh

5 Run Wild Fred (IRE) bl 8 11 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Davy Russell

6 Lostintranslation (IRE) ts, p 10 11 6 Taylor & O'Dwyer Colin Tizzard Harry Cobden

7 Brahma Bull (IRE) p 11 11 6 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland Brian Hayes

8 Burrows Saint (FR) ts 9 11 5 Mrs S. Ricci W. P. Mullins Ireland P. Townend

9 Mount Ida (IRE) ts, p 8 11 5 KTDA Racing Gordon Elliott Ireland Denis O'Regan

10 Longhouse Poet (IRE) ts 8 11 4 Sean & Bernardine Mulryan Martin Brassil Ireland Darragh O'Keeffe

11 Fiddlerontheroof (IRE) ts 8 11 4 Taylor, Burley & O'Dwyer Colin Tizzard Brendan Powell

12 Two For Gold (IRE) p 9 11 3 May We Never Be Found Out Partnership 2 Kim Bailey David Bass

13 Santini 10 11 2 Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes Polly Gundry Nick Scholfield

14 Samcro (IRE) ts 10 11 1 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Sean Bowen

15 Escaria Ten (FR) bl 8 11 1 McNeill Family Gordon Elliott Ireland A. P. Heskin

16 Good Boy Bobby (IRE) 9 10 13 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies Daryl Jacob

17 Lord du Mesnil (FR) ts, p 9 10 13 Mr Paul Porter & Mike & Mandy Smith Richard Hobson Kielan Woods

18 Coko Beach (FR) bl 7 10 13 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Sean Flanagan

19 De Rasher Counter 10 10 12 Makin' Bacon Partnership Emma Lavelle Adam Wedge

20 Kildisart (IRE) p 10 10 11 Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede Ben Pauling James Bowen

21 Discorama (FR) ts, p 9 10 11 Andrew Gemmell/Thomas Friel Paul Nolan Ireland B. J. Cooper

22 Top Ville Ben (IRE) h 10 10 11 Harbour Rose Partnership Philip Kirby Thomas Dowson

23 Enjoy d'Allen (FR) bl,ts 8 10 11 Mr John P. McManus Ciaran Murphy Ireland Conor Orr

24 Anibale Fly (FR) ts, p 12 10 11 Mr John P. McManus A. J. Martin Ireland 25 Dingo Dollar (IRE) ts, p 10 10 11 M Warren J Holmes R Kidner & J Wright Sandy Thomson Ryan Mania

26 Freewheelin Dylan (IRE) ts, p 10 10 10 Miss Sheila Mangan Dermot Anthony McLoughlin Ireland Ricky Doyle

27 Class Conti (FR) ts, p 10 10 10 Mr Simon Munir/Mr Isaac Souede W. P. Mullins Ireland Sam Twiston-Davies

28 Noble Yeats (IRE) p 7 10 10 Mr Robert Waley-Cohen Emmet Mullins Ireland Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

29 Mighty Thunder ts, p 9 10 10 Allson Sparkle Ltd Lucinda Russell Derek Fox

30 Cloth Cap (IRE) ts, p 10 10 10 Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Jonjo O'Neill Tom Scudamore

31 Snow Leopardess 10 10 9 Andrew Fox-Pitt Charlie Longsdon Aidan Coleman

32 Agusta Gold (IRE) bl,ts 9 10 9 Dr S. P. Fitzgerald W. P. Mullins Ireland Daniel Mullins

33 Phoenix Way (IRE) ts 9 10 9 Mr John P. McManus Harry Fry Kevin Brogan

34 Deise Aba (IRE) p 9 10 8 Exors of the late Mr Trevor Hemmings Philip Hobbs Tom O'Brien

35 Blaklion ts 13 10 8 Darren & Annaley Yates Dan Skelton Harry Skelton

36 Poker Party (FR) ts 10 10 8 Robcour Henry de Bromhead Ireland Robbie Power

37 Death Duty (IRE) 11 10 7 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott Ireland Jordan Gainford

38 Domaine de L'Isle (FR) ts 9 10 7 Mr L M Power and Mr Ian Hutchins Sean Curran Harry Bannister

39 Eclair Surf (FR) 8 10 6 Dominic Burke & Tim Syder Emma Lavelle Tom Bellamy

40 Fortescue 8 10 6 Mr T. F. F. Nixon Henry Daly Hugh Nugent

R1 Commodore (FR) 10 10 5 Mrs C Watson & Mrs S Graham Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch

R2 School Boy Hours (IRE) 9 10 5 Mr John P. McManus Noel Meade Ireland

R3 Romain de Senam (FR) ts 10 10 5 Judith Wilson David Pipe

R4 Roi Mage (FR) 10 10 3 Pryde/Van Der Hoeven/McGladery/Beaumont Patrick Griffin Ireland