TOP weights do not have a great record in the Grand National, which must be a worry for trainer Paul Nicholls, whose Tidal Bay has been allotted 11st 10lb in the big Aintree race on April 6.

Last year, Neptune Collonges took the first prize with a reasonable 11st 6lb on his back, but animals with the maximum on their backs tend to fare poorly.

That stated, Tidal Bay has been in tremendous form this season, finishing second in the Hennessy at Newbury to Gold Cup favourite Bobs Worth and then winning the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

Of course, most trainers would like their runner to carry a little less, but Neil Mulholland sounded happy enough with Midnight Chase's 11st.

He said: "I'm very happy with that and hopefully he will run in it this year.

"He's 3lb better off in the handicap after the recent Argento Chase at Cheltenham.

"He'll go for the Specialty Chase on the Tuesday at the Cheltenham Festival and then he'll go for the National.

"Having come down in the handicap, if the ground is nice at Cheltenham, I'd be confident of a good run."

Teaforthree (10st 13lb) is quietly fancied by some, and trainer Rebecca Curtis was in upbeat mood yesterday.

She said: "I'm fairly happy he's got less than 11st.

"It's a nice weight. Aintree is the main target and I'd say he'll run first in the National Trial at Haydock on Saturday."

But there were some trainers slightly less chuffed.

Colm Murphy, who trains Quito De La Roque (11st 5lb), said: "I'd prefer if it was 5lb less.

"He has a good few other engagements as well, I'll speak to the owners but it's on the menu at the moment.

"The horse seems good and it's all systems go with him."