Number ruled out of Aintree repeat

ANTE-POST punters have suffered a blow yesterday when trainer Martin Brassil revealed Numbersixvalverde had not been entered for the John Smith’s Grand National after failing to make sufficient progress from injury.

The 12-year-old struck Aintree gold in 2006 but has not run since finishing sixth behind Silver Birch in last year’s renewal and will not be seen in action this term.

Numbersixvalverde had been trading at the 33-1 mark with William Hill for the four-and-a-half-mile marathon, but Brassil has abandoned all hopes of his star stayer being ready in time for the April 5 event.