The National is a handicap chase with runners allocated different weights that they must carry according to their ratings.

There are currently 87 horses entered for the race. The maximum number of runners in the National was cut last year to 34 from 40 following a safety review and 32 runners went to post after two withdrawals.

Official handicapper Martin Greenwood believes those at 59 or above in the current list will struggle to make the cut.

Mr Vango, winner of the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock for Sara Bradstock, is at 65 on 10st 2lb and likely to miss out.

“It will break my heart if we get some soft ground and we can’t run because he could win a National on soft ground. That was why I was so keen,” said Bradstock, whose husband Mark – trainer of 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree – died last year.

“It does look like there’s possibly rain this spring, but we’re not going to get in are we?”

Former football manager Harry Redknapp faces a wait to see if his horse Shakem Up’arry – number 58 in the list on 10st 4lb – will make the cut.

But trainer Paul Nicholls hopes to have five runners – Hitman, Bravemansgame, Threeunderthrufive, Kandoo Kid and Stay Away Fay.

As well as a reduction in runners, other safety measures introduced last year included a standing start for the race, which went off at the first time of asking, a reduction in height to one of the fences, and added foam and rubber toe boards on every fence.

There were no fallers and 21 horses completed the race – the highest number across the finish line since 1992 – with four horses unseating their riders and seven pulled up.