The possibility of Denman taking part in the John Smith's Grand National in April, as first suggested by Standard Sport back in October, has been welcomed by Aintree legend Ginger McCain, writes Paul Fielder.

Denman would carry top weight of 11st 10lb in the four-and-a-half mile marathon on 4 April and the eight-year-old has been backed off the boards since his trainer Paul Nicholls revealed at the weekend that the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner would be given an entry for the race.

The McCain-trained Red Rum was the last top weight to win the world's most famous steeplechase back in 1974 but that has not deterred punters from making Denman 9-1 favourite with bookmakers William Hill.

McCain told today's Racing Post: "It would be great if he ran in the race as the best horses should run in the Grand National.

"If he is as good as they say he is, let him go there, carry the weight and try to prove it."