Tim Vaughan thrilled as Eva's Oskar makes National cut

As expected, Shark Hanlon's joint top-weight Hewick and Gordon Elliott's Cheltenham Gold Cup third Conflated have been scratched from the contest 

AINTREE-BOUND: Eva's Oskar is now guaranteed a run in the Grand National. Picture: Healy Racing

Trainer Tim Vaughan was relieved and delighted in equal measure after Eva's Oskar was confirmed as the 40th horse in the field following the latest scratchings deadline for the Randox Grand National.

The nine-year-old, who won a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham earlier in the season, was previously further down the order of entry for the Aintree spectacular, but is now guaranteed a starting berth after a total of 16 horses were taken out.