Last year's winner Amberleigh House heads a list of 107 horses to stand their ground at the latest forfeit stage for the John Smith's Grand National.

Ginger McCain's charge is set to face runner-up Clan Royal and third home Lord Atterbury again as those two were also left in the four-and-a-half-mile marathon.

Clan Royal is one of ten possibles for trainer Jonjo O'Neill as he has also left in Shamawan, Simply Gifted, Native Emperor, World Wide Web, Multeen River, Mini Sensation, Sherkin Island, Dark Room and Farinel.

The Jackdaws Castle handler took last week's Cheltenham Festival second Keen Leader out of the race, though.

All the leading candidates are still in the April 9 contest, with Hedgehunter, Gold Cup runner-up Take The Stand and Forest Gunner, the intended mount of Carrie Ford, all confirmed.

Howard Johnson has left in top-weight Grey Abbey and he could be set for one last run at Aintree after finishing fifth in the Gold Cup.

The County Durham handler indicated that Grey Abbey could be retired after the Gold Cup as he had been suffering with a joint problem.

''He's come back from Cheltenham better than he went. His leg is tighter than when he went, it's cooler than when he went. It's a freak,'' said Sue Johnson, the trainer's wife.

''He's come out of it very well and there's talk he might go for the National - but that's up to Howard.''

Should Grey Abbey run, it would leave Graham Lee with a difficult decision as he would have to pick between the Johnson runner and Amberleigh House, on whom he won the race last year.

''Howard has told Graham he can ride Amberleigh House,'' added Mrs Johnson. He said 'He knows his way round and if you want to be on Amberleigh House, you go for it'. He's not put a gun to his head, he's given him the option.

''Graham did say that if we'd asked him after the Scottish National he would have said Abbey would not have jumped round, but for some reason he's learned to shorten and fiddle a bit more. So there may be a chance he might go for the National.''

Latest National odds from Reuben Page: 11/1 Clan Royal, 11/1 Amberleigh House, 12/1 Take The Stand,14/1 Hedgehunter, 14/1 Timbera, 16/1 Joly Bey, 16/1 Forest Gunner, 16/1 Kelami