REDDITCH trainer Ian Williams says Gas Line Boy is on track for the Grand National after the weights for the big race were revealed.

The 12-year-old, owned by The Three Graces, came fifth in last year's contest and has now been allotted 10st 7lbs for the 2018 renewal of the famous contest.

With a maximum of 40 horses lining up, Gas Line Boy's weight allocation also makes him number 40 in the list of the 103 total entries and guarantees him a run.

Definitly Red, an impressive winner of the G2 BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham last month, heads the weights for the £1-million race with 11st 10lbs and a rating of 165.

The world's greatest and richest chase is the highlight of Aintree's three-day festival and will take place on Saturday, April 14.

Williams said: "Gas Line Boy ran an incredible race last year when he genuinely had every chance of finishing in the first three jumping the last. He's since confirmed his love of the course and fences by winning the Grand Sefton.

"If the ground was soft or worse, I would consider running in the Topham but otherwise he's on track for the main event.

"His weight of 10-7 is ideal, and being number 40 on the list means we have no worries about getting a run. Robbie Dunne is set to take the ride."

The Portway-based handler also has former Cheltenham Festival winner Ballyalton entered.

The 11-year-old will struggle to get a start, however, after being handed 9st 11lbs and number 82 on the list of possible runners.

Williams added: "First things first, he needs to qualify. At the moment, the plan is to go to Doncaster on the 21st for a veterans race and see how that goes.

"He's recovered well from the fibrillating heart problem he suffered at Kempton and his owner is keen to get to Aintree, but with a weight of 9-11, he looks very unlikely to get a run this time around."