Le Coudray heads list of National hopefuls
Le Coudray heads a list of 85 horses confirmed at today’s five-day stage for the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.
The 11-year-old, trained in Ireland by Christy Roche, is left carrying 11st 12lb as the weights have been raised 3lb following the expected absence of Grey Abbey and Sir Rembrandt.
First Gold is next in the handicap for the world’s great steeplechase on 11st 11lb, though Francois Doumen’s gelding also holds an entry in Thursday’s Betfair Bowl over the Mildmay fences.
Among those high in the handicap who were taken out today were Seebald, Rince Ri and Alexander Banquet.
Seebald’s trainer Martin Pipe has also withdrawn Jurancon II and Venn Ottery, but still has a strong team.
The champion trainer has four horses guaranteed a run – last year’s third Lord Atterbury, It Takes Times, Iznogoud and Polar Red.
He also has three – Heart Midoltian, Montreal and Latitude – who are some way off making the top 40 who will be allowed to run in Saturday’s spectacular.
The cut-off point is currently the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Simply Gifted, leaving Lucinda Russell hoping that at least one horse comes out at Thursday’s 48-hour final stage to enable Coral Welsh National runner-up Strong Resolve to take his chance.
