32 horses will compete in this Saturday’s Grand National after it was confirmed that Chambard and Run Wild Fred will not be participating.
Venetia Williams’ trained horse Chambard was 66/1 outsider for the main race at Aintree but was forced to withdraw after being declared lame. On the morning of the race, Run Wild Fred, another outsider at 50/1, was also discovered to be lame.
Following a dry night at the course, Aintree verified that the ground is soft, good to soft in several areas. “It was dry overnight and it’s good to soft, soft in places on the Mildmay courses and soft, good to soft in places on the National course,” stated Sulekha Varma, the course clerk. The prediction indicates
Lucinda Russell, meantime, is focused on another historic day at Aintree, which will see Corach Rambler defend his championship. The 10-year-old, who emerged victorious a year ago, aims to become the next in a small group of back-to-back champions, which includes Tiger Roll and the illustrious Red Rum.
Encouraged by Ahoy Senor’s performance at the track on Thursday, the Scottish trainer is optimistic going into her third-place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and her chance to become an Aintree immortal.
Russell remarked, “I love coming to Aintree, we’ve had so many great days here and the crowd are always so appreciative, I feel a great affinity with it, it’s magic.” Her jockey Derek Fox also won with One For Arthur in 2017.
“I hope
“It’s unusual for us to travel down till Thursday morning, but Scu—our partner and helper Peter Scudamore—wanted to ride Corach on Thursday morning. He is benefiting from the fact that the ground must be drying out.
Twelve months ago, Vanillier’s sprint finish proved to be in vain; nonetheless, the runner-up from the previous year has been training for this day in an attempt to become the first grey winner in twelve years.
“We’ve trained him all year with this race in mind and he seems in good nick at home, so ho”He likes it at Aintree, so it would be good to see him run well there again.”
Limerick Lace, the victor of the Cheltenham Festival, will also represent Cromwell and attempt to snap the mares’ over 70-year losing streak in the National. “I suppose she goes on the ground, but I’m not really sure whether she will stay on that ground—it’s going to take a lot of getting,” he said.
“She’s only a seven-year-old, but she is going into the race in good form and off a light weight and we hope she has a chance.”pefully he will be right there,” Gavin Cromwell, his trainer, said.
