SEVENTY-four horses are going forward for the £1-million Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree after the scratchings stage.

A maximum of 40 runners can line up for the 168th running of the world’s most famous jump race at 4.15pm on Saturday, April 11.

The five-day confirmation stage is Monday, April 6, with final declarations at 10am on Thursday, April 9.

Six of the first seven horses home in last year’s Crabbie’s Grand National remain engaged, headed by the victorious Pineau De Re, trained by Worcestershire’s Dr Richard Newland.

Tony McCoy, racing in the National for the final time, is expected to partner the favourite Shutthefrontdoor, who is owned by J P McManus and trained by Jonjo O’Neill in Temple Guiting.

Shutthefrontdoor is 8-1 with Betfred. The weights continue to be headed by Lord Windermere, trained by Jim Culloty, on 11st 10lb.

Meanwhile, jockey David Bass stole the show at Towcester with the first treble of his career.

Cosway Spirit, trained by Ben Pauling in Bourton-on-the-Water, did it the hard way from the front in the Haygain Hay Steamers Clean Healthy Forage Handicap Chase to complete the Bass treble.

The 15-8 favourite repeated his victory in the extended three-mile contest from 12 months ago when running his rivals into the ground by 16 lengths.

Bass said: “He is a very clever horse and Ben said he was not worried about how quick he went but just to keep squeezing him as he likes being out in front.

“He was wandering around all over the place out in front and probably won too far but Ben was just glad to get him back winning.

“It is great to ride my first treble and I really appreciate all the yards that have supported me.”

At Newbury, Kalane (10-1) landed the Listed EBF & TBA Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle Finale Limited Handicap for trainer Charlie Longsdon.

Chipping Norton’s Longsdon said: “She got a leg in France before coming here but she won first time out and Noel Fehily (jockey) said then she is a seriously nice mare on a potentially nice mark of 120.”

Jockey Sam Twiston Davies was given a thorough examination of his fitness levels when partnering 14-1 hope Rally, trained by his father Nigel, to glory in Newbury’s Hawk Inn Handicap Hurdle.

After safely negotiating the last, six-year-old Rally posted an eight-length success.

Nigel Twiston-Davies said: “That was a fairly inspired ride by Sam. It was the last chance for the horse as he had been disappointing and we had run out of excuses for him.”

At the same meeting, Twirling Magnet booked his place in trainer O’Neill’s team for the Grand National meeting after obliging in the BJP Insurance Brokers Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase.

The even-money favourite, who fell at the first in last year’s Grand National, backed up his win at Ludlow last month after coasting home by four lengths under Tommie O’Brien.

O’Neill said: “If all is well it is the plan to go to Aintree (Fox Hunters). He enjoys the good ground and he is not a bad horse on his day when he gets his own way while he gets on well with Tommie.”

There were Cotswold favourite wins for Longsdon with Shantou Magic (4-9) at Bangor and for Nigel Twiston-Davies with I Am Colin (2-1) at Stratford.