THE Grand National weights were announced in London earlier today, and not for the first time this month, champion jockey AP McCoy found himself at the centre of attention.

McCoy is expected to partner 2014 Irish Grand National winner Shutthefrontdoor as he makes his final appearance in the Aintree showpiece, so it is hardly a surprise that the Jonjo O’Neill-trained chaser is already a rock-solid 10-1 favourite.

The McCoy factor means he is likely to be even shorter on the day, but with even O’Neill admitting BHB handicapper Phil Smith has been far from lenient with his allocation of 11st 2lbs, the ante-post value has to lie elsewhere. That said, even the most hard-hearted of racing fans will secretly be cheering for a final McCoy triumph to bring the house down.

Carlingford Lough (33-1), the recent Irish Hennessy winner, heads the weights at 11st 12lbs, but is a far from certain runner on April 11. The same is true of Lord Windermere (40-1) and Many Clouds (33-1), who should be involved in next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, so top weight could be carried by Paul Nicholls’ Unioniste (20-1).

The recent Sandown winner will definitely line up at Aintree, but seven-year-olds do not have a good Grand National record and he is hardly built to withstand the rigours of a test that remains one of the toughest in racing.

Last year’s front two are set to cross swords again, with Pineau De Re (25-1) following his tried-and-tested route of warming up in the Pertemps Hurdle at Cheltenham. Balthazar King (20-1), who was second last year, will swerve Cheltenham in order to be in peak condition for Aintree, and that is a tip in itself given that he would almost certainly have started favourite for the Cross-Country Chase on the Festival’s second day.

Balthazar King is 5lbs better off with Pineau De Re for the five lengths he was beaten last year, and provided the ground is not too soft, he should go close. With underfoot conditions crucial though, it could be better to wait for the day.

At this stage, my first ante-post recommendation would be Alan King’s Godsmejudge (25-1), who has finished first and second in the last two Scottish Grand Nationals.

Yesterday’s allocation of 10st 8lbs looks more than fair for a horse that jumps reliably, stays all day and has had the National as his target from the start of the season. He looks to have the right profile for a National winner, and is likely to shorten markedly as the race draws near.

Spring Heeled (25-1) has also been laid out for an Aintree assault, and has only run twice since landing the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last March. That run over an extended three miles flagged him up as a leading stayer, and his trainer, Jim Culloty, showcased his ability to land a major prize when he won last year’s Gold Cup. He looks a leading contender.

For all that the profile of the National has changed in recent years, course form remains crucial and that is why it would be foolish to ignore Oscar Time (50-1) despite his advancing years and the fact a 14-year-old has never won the race.

Second in the 2011 Grand National and fourth in 2013, Oscar Time led his rivals a merry dance as he ran out a 25-1 winner of the Becher Chase in December. He clearly relishes the unique challenge of the National fences, and while he could find himself outpaced in the early stages, he has every chance of staying on into a place.

Ante-post recommendations: Godsmejudge (25-1), Spring Heeled (25-1), Oscar Time (50-1)