A ‘WORRYINGLY LOW’ number of horses remain in the Grand National – amid fears the race might not get the full field of 40 runners.
At the last scratching stage there were 57 horses remaining.
AlamyWill Noble Yeats defend his Grand National crown in a full field of 40 runners?[/caption]
This is down massively on the 78 still in the race at the same stage last year.
And even since the field was narrowed down to 57, Willie Mullins’ Captain Kangaroo and Venetia Williams’ Quick Wave have been taken out.
Recent Ryanair winner Envoi Allen has since been ruled out by owners Cheveley Park Stud.
While Gordon Elliott’s Fakiera, Milan Native, Punitive, Gevrey, Defi Bleu and Battleoverdoyen all look like not running.
All of a sudden the number of horses left for Saturday week’s blockbuster is down to 48.
With still over a week to go until the big day who knows what knocks some runners could pick up between now and then.
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Martin Keighley, who trains Harry Redknapp’s 66-1 chance Back On The Lash, raised the alarm over the number of runners recently.
He said the footie legend is constantly calling to see if enough horses have gone out so his can make it in.
Keighley said: “Harry is always ringing up to see if he is going to get in.
“I think he will now. Some are even saying now there might not even be a full field.”
While respected racing journalist Chris Cook wrote in the Racing Post the number of horses left in contention is ‘worryingly low’.
We won’t know the final, confirmed field under 10am next Thursday when declarations are finalised.
The £1million Grand National remains the world’s most famous race – with the winner scooping £500,000.
Noble Yeats, a shock 50-1 winner 12 months ago for amateur jockey and dentist Sam Waley-Cohen, is 8-1 to defend his crown.
But perhaps it is market leader Corach Rambler who has scared off rivals.
The dual Ultima winner is 10lb well in on ratings and looks sure to relish the step up in trip for Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell.
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