National hero retired
The 13-year-old won an epic renewal of the world’s greatest showpiece when defeating Smarty by a distance.
The first two were the only two horses to put in clear rounds in a race run in desperate conditions.
Red Marauder has had a history of leg problems and he did not race again until finishing fourth in a handicap hurdle at Newcastle in February.
He had been on course to run again at Aintree but his owner Norman Mason and trainer Richard Guest, who rode him to victory in the National, have decided not to risk him on unsuitable ground.
“The whole idea was to bring him back to run in the Grand National. Unfortunately the weather has scuppered us so there seemed little point in putting him in the Irish Grand National yesterday to be honest,” Guest told attheraces.
“It would have been a bit of an anti-climax. The whole aim was to get him fit and well and ready to go in the Grand National and the weather has conspired against him.
“Last night me and the boss had a feel of his legs and had a good look at him and felt there was no point in thinking of going elsewhere with him.”
“He’s going to have a honourable retirement. He’s got a stable for life and he’ll be the trainer’s hack.”
Red Marauder won nine races and £370,000 in prize money.
