Grand National 2019: Mall Dini ruled out of Aintree with leg injury
- Published
Runners in Saturday's Grand National will have to negotiate 30 fences
Randox Health Grand National |
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Venue: Aintree Racecourse Date: Saturday, 6 April Time: 17:15 BST |
Meeting: 4-6 April Coverage: BBC Radio 5 Live, Sports Extra and BBC Sport website - more details |
Leading Irish-trained contender Mall Dini has been ruled out of Saturday's Grand National with a leg injury.
The horse, trained by Patrick Kelly, was declared among the original 40 runners on Thursday morning and rated a 20-1 chance for the race at Aintree.
His place will be taken by first reserve Just A Par, a 100-1 outsider for Jimmy Moffatt.
Reserves can be called up until 13:00 BST on Friday, with The Young Master now next in line if any withdrawals.
The 2018 Scottish National winner Joe Farrell had earlier been the last horse to make the line-up after Pairofbrowneyes was pulled out.
Hot favourite Tiger Roll, the 2018 winner, will bid to become the first horse since Red Rum - in 1973 and 1974 - to secure back-to-back victories.
Trainer Gordon Elliott, who also won with Silver Birch in 2007, has a record 11 contenders in the top 40, but two of his potential runners were sold by owners Gigginstown House Stud at auction after racing on Thursday.
Don Poli - who fetched £170,000 - will now represent trainer Philip Kirby, with Outlander (£165,000) running for Richard Spencer.
The previous record number of National runners was 18 years ago when Martin Pipe saddled 10 in the race won by Red Marauder, trained by Norman Mason.
Pairofbrowneyes, trained by Willie Mullins, was about a 25-1 chance but will instead be aimed at the Irish Grand National later in April.
Joe Farrell, for Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis, had been backed earlier in the week before being guaranteed a run.
There were 69 entries left before Thursday's declarations, with a maximum of the 40 top-rated runners allowed to race.
The remaining three reserves - who need a withdrawal if they are to make the line-up are: The Young Master, Isleofhopendreams and Exitas.
Approximate odds for the Grand National
7-2 Tiger Roll; 10-1 Rathvinden; 11-1 Anibale Fly; 12-1 Vintage Clouds; 14-1 Lake View Lad; 18-1 Joe Farrell, Pleasant Company, Rock The Kasbah; 20-1 Jury Duty; Mall Dini; 22-1 Step Back; 25-1 bar