Niche Market out of Grand National

Niche Market has been ruled out of next month’s John Smith’s Grand National.

The 11-year-old ran a cracking trial for the Aintree feature when beaten just half a length in a veterans’ race at Newbury last Saturday.

However, trainer Paul Nicholls has confirmed Niche Market, who finished fifth in the race last year and was a general 20-1 shot, will miss the April 14 contest.

Nicholls tweeted: “More bad news to report I am afraid.

“Niche Market misses the Grand National.

“More details to follow later this morning.”