2 days Ago By Charlie Parker-Turner
The Grand National field has, once again, been shaken up following today’s scratchings. A further seven runners have been withdrawn from the Aintree showpiece just a matter of days before racegoers flock to Liverpool . Inothewayurthinkin was the most significant scratching last month, having been backed into favouritism following his Cheltenham Festival success .
The market has already begun to move following the fresh wave of changes. L’Homme Presse is among those who have been withdrawn from the race in what is a big blow for the British hopes of landing the £1million race. The gelding was a 40/1 chance for the race but has been ruled out due to a training injury.
Venetia Williams’ 10-year-year-old impressed when winning the Cotswold Chase in January but was last seen pulling up in the Betfair Ascot Chase in February. An injury sustained in training then ruled him out of the Cheltenham Festival , and the problem has not been resolved in time for Aintree. Mr Incredible was scratched early on Monday, with Capodanno, Velvet Elvis and Minella Drama all also dropping out in what has sparked major changes to the potential field given that they were all in the top 34.
Fontaine Collonges and Quick Wave will not run either. The changes will therefore see Horantzau D’Airy, Hyland, Three Card Brag and Twig assume positions in the top 34, in what will be music to the ears of Nicky Henderson. The 74-year-old has enjoyed a sensational training career so far, but winning the Grand National continues to escape him.
Henderson started training in 1978 but has never tasted victory in the Aintree showpiece, coming closest with both Zongalero and Tsarevich when the pair finished second respectively. This year his hopes largely lie with Hyland, who has now risen into the top 34. The eight-year-old has enjoyed a brilliant season so far, winning three of his six starts and looking likely to relish the testing trip at Aintree.
Discussing Hyland's chances to Sporting Life, Henderson said: “If he gets in, going there with something you could realistically say has a good chance. "He is an out-and-out stayer, but a decent one at that, who wants good ground. It was in my head to run him in the Grand National, but if I started saying I’m going to run a novice chaser in the Grand National they would start saying 'Henderson you are mad!' I must admit, I was amazed that everybody totally agreed with me and said it was a good idea.
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