First Grand National Scratchings Leaves 98 Runners
The deadline for the first official scratchings for the 2010 Grand National was on March 2nd and it was announced today that 13 horses have been withdrawn leaving 98 runners still in contention for the big race on Saturday, April 10th 2010.
The biggest surprise of the day is that War of Attrition is still in despite the protests from trainer Mouse Morris following his allocation of 11-01 when the weights were announced by the handicapper on February 16th. Many of the UK's bookmakers had removed the horse from their ante-post odds when Morris indicated that the weight no longer made War of Attrition competitive and that it would be unlikely that he would run. Of course there is still plenty of time for him to be withdrawn with the second deadline for scratchings coming up on March 23rd.
Of the 13 horses that have been withdrawn today, the most notable are three from Willie Mullins - Irish Invader, Beroni and Jayo, as well as One Cool Cookie, Kilcrea Castle and Darkness who are all Irish, followed by Parsons Legacy and Royal County Star.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls still has all of his five entries still in with a chance in his bid to win his first Grand National which has eluded him to date in his extremely successful career. Among them are two of the ante-post favourites - Tricky Trickster and Big Fella Thanks as well as Taranis, Nozic and My Will.
Despite 13 withdrawals the weights have not changed for the remaining horses with the top weight of 11-10 still going to Albertas Run, Madison Du Berlais and Notre Pere.
