Star names in bumper National entry

Thursday 5 February 2015, 7:11am

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere is among 98 entries for the Grand National at Aintree.

Trained by Jim Culloty, Lord Windermere could attempt to become the first horse since L'Escargot and just the third horse to complete the double.

L'Escargot won the Cheltenham showpiece in 1970 and 1971 and then denied Red Rum a hat-trick of wins at Aintree in 1975. Golden Miller won both races in 1934.

Culloty, who won the National as a jockey aboard Bindaree in 2002, has also entered Spring Heeled, winner of the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival last March.

Alvarado was fourth in the National last year and although he has not been seen since, trainer Fergal O'Brien is looking forward to another crack at the world's most famous steeplechase on April 11.

"Alvarado put his heart and soul into the National last year and he was a bit tired when he came back, so we gave him a long break," O'Brien said.

"He has had no real problems - just a couple of niggly things - and the weather has conspired against us, which is why he hasn't run yet."

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has seven entries, headlined by the Grade One-placed pair of Rocky Creek and Sam Winner along with leading pre-post fancy Unioniste.

Willie Mullins saddled Hedgehunter to victory in 2005 and accounts for four of the 25 Irish-trained entries, with his possible runners including 2013 National Hunt Chase winner Back In Focus and Boston Bob.

Weights for the Grand National will be issued on February 17.

– PAA

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