Minella Times weighs in heavier as official weights are announced for the Grand National

The official weights have been announced for the 2022 Randox Grand National, the world's most popular jumping race, to be held at Aintree on Saturday, April 9.

After the weights were announced at a ceremony in Liverpool on Tuesday, the offers for the Grand National can only go up, as the official entry list stands at 104 possible participants, with the final field of 40 set to compete later this spring.

Rachael Blackmore made history last spring riding Minella Times when she became the first female jockey to win the race in JP McManus colours for trainer Henry De Bromhead, and she will look to keep her crown with a much heavier stead this time out.

Minella Times is rated 161 for the 2022 renewal, about 15 pounds heavier than his last win. He is joined by Tiger Roll, who won the 2018 and 2019 race for Gordon Elliott, Davy Russell and owner Gigginstown House Stud, with an assigned weight of 11st 4lb.

The veteran is rated 5lb lower than last year by BHA handicapper Martin Greenwood, when his owners felt he was overloaded and decided to skip the race.

Trainer Elliott initially suggested that next month's cross country at Cheltenham was the immediate goal before making a decision on Aintree, but Gigginstown boss Michael O'Leary quickly contradicted that notion with a statement that throws the handicapper's rating to the wind and confirms that Tiger Roll will retire after Cheltenham.

Among Britain's main hopes - at least in the betting - is Charlie Longsdon's mare Snow Leopardess, who won the Becher Chase over Aintree's famous spirited-style hurdles in December.

She was only successful on Sunday at Exeter and is rated 10st 3lb (official rating 146) for the big race.

She is only 57th on the current entry list, but both handicapper Greenwood and trainer Longsdon have expressed confidence that she will make the final 40.

No mare has won the race since Nickel Coin in 1951, although Jessica Harrington's Magic Of Light finished second when Tiger Roll won for the second time in 2019.

Longsdon admits Snow Leopardess' story will get the public's attention and ensure the grey mare's popularity.

"Obviously you're hoping to get in as No. 57 on the list, because it's usually about 70 or more that get in," she said.

"Her story of being a mother is the kind of story that I can imagine people will be really interested in over the next few months. I can imagine people talking about the Grand National runner with a baby in the next few months.

"Just look at Twitter and see how many people get excited and engaged. When you look at all the people texting and tweeting, it's amazing how many people are stepping up. It's all positive and we're all excited.

Ted hopes Any Second Now will be successful Any Second Now, trained by former Grand National winner Ted Walsh, was rated 7 pounds higher than last time with an official rating of 159 when he finished third behind Minella Times.

Walsh, who won with his son Ruby in 2000 on Papillon and his daughter Katie, who finished third on Seabass in 2012, believes his charge can get back in front after being upset in the second round last time out under Mark Walsh.